A Message from Yamada Sensei

I am very sorry to start this article bringing you the sad news of the death of Rodney Grantham, founder of the Aikido Center of Atlanta. Grantham Sensei was a true pioneer in the martial arts. He began his training in Judo in 1950 while stationed in Japan where he earned his Shodan. When he returned to the U.S., he rose to the rank of Sandan and founded the Black Belt School of Judo. In the early 1960's he was first exposed to Aikido when he was invited to take ukemi for the legendary Tohei Koichi. He was so impressed that he began traveling to New York on weekends to train with Yamada Shihan. He also received instruction from a young Army Sgt. named Michael Manley who would travel to Atlanta to teach Rodney and his small but dedicated group. In 1967 he began offering Aikido classes at his judo school and soon gave up judo entirely to pursue Aikido exclusively. This original group took the name "the Aikido Center of Atlanta" and later became the third charter member of the U.S.A.F. (after New York Aikikai and New England Aikikai). The Aikido Center was host to a small seminar honoring Second Doshu, Ueshiba Kishomaru's first visit to the U.S. in 1974. (see picture album of this historic seminar submitted by Rodney's student, Lamar Sanders). The Aikido Center was also on the itinerary of third Doshu, Ueshiba Moriteru on his first visit to the U.S. Grantham Sensei and his wife Janet moved to Scaly Mountain, N.C. in 1989 where he continued to teach classes in his basement dojo. Grantham sensei was also a recognized expert in Ukioye (Japanese wood block prints) and his extensive collection was exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the South. He was one of the first to be awarded the rank of Rokudan by Yamada Shihan and was also one of the first to be made a member of the Honorary Committee of the U.S.A.F. There will be a memorial practice at the Aikido Center of Atlanta on Oct. 4th to honor Grantham Sensei's great contribution to the art of Aikido and to the lives of so many of his students, family and friends. Details can be found at

Now good news. We just finished a wonderful summer camp. This summer camp was a new era of camps, with a focus on the future generations of the USAF. I am very proud to say that almost all the participants were so happy with the facilities, hospitality, and instruction. In my opinion, it was well organized, involving many people from different dojos and not only by the organizing dojo, New York Aikikai. That was my hope and expectation for this camp.

A successful summer camp depends on people's understanding and cooperation. As people say, you can not win them all. There is always something that doesn't meet your expectations. Everyone needs to underdstand that we are using college facilities and, as a result, there were some college regulations that we can't do anything about. Some things are out of our control. Although it is impossible, I always like to treat people equally and try to make everyone happy. But once again, I am not superman. Even in my routine activity as a leader of the organization, when trying to make 1o people happy, it leaves one person unhappy.

I feel very positivie for next year's summer camp, and I'm hoping to see more people participate. The Federaation is interested in any of your opinions or suggestions about the future of summer camps.

In the end, I'd like to express my personal thanks and appreciation for your participating in my birthday celebration and the wonderful gift.

I'd like to have my birthday party at least 10 or 30 more times!

Yoshimitsu Yamada