The young Don Angier (An-jháy) was mentored in Yanagi-Ryu Aiki Bugei by its Soke, Yoshida Kenji, son of Yoshida Kotaro. It was Yoshida Kotaro who introduced Morihei Ueshiba (founder of Aikido) to Takeda Sensei of the Daito Ryu, and who sponsored Ueshiba into the Daito School

Before his death in 1954, Yoshida Kenji passed the title of Soke, or Inheritor, to Angier. Soke Angier was given the hanko, or seal, bearing the Yanagi Ryu name and authority.

Soke Angier taught Aiki jiu jitsu publicly from 1955-1988, but now teaches only to a few chosen students at his home in Long Beach, CA.

Aikido of Diablo Valley is honored to be able to, once again, present this unquestioned master of Yanagi Ryu Aiki Jiu Jitsu to the public.