Here are some videos of me training with Sosa Sensei- I was lucky enough for him to let me do private and semi-private training with him. Enjoy!

This is video from 1965 featuring Kenn Purdy Sensei and Isao Takahashi Sensei.

Isao Takahashi was the first Aikikai Shihan installed in Chicago by Hombu Dojo.  It is very cool that Purdy Sensei is part of our lineage this way. And look how young he is!

Isao Takahashi Sensei

(1912- 1972). 7th dan Aikikai [awarded posthumously] was born in Hawaii. He lived in Japan from age five to ten. He attained high rankings in kendo and judo. Takahashi was one of the first to study aikido under Koichi Tohei Sensei in 1953 in Honolulu and became a pioneer of the art in Hawaii. He relocated to Los Angeles in 1960 to become the chief instructor of the Los Angeles Aikikai. In 1965 he moved to Chicago to serve as chief instructor of the Illinois Aikido Club. Takahashi was a major force in the early development of aikido in the western United States. He remained active until a few months before his death due to stomach cancer. 

Takahashi was Sosa Sensei's primary instructor and gave Sosa Sensei his blessing to start the Southwest Aikido Institute.  Takahashi was held in very high regard for his swordwork.  His style of Kendo encompassed both the use of the shinai (bamboo sword) and the shinken (live blade).