Yasunari Kitaura – Aikido teacher, 8 th dan Aikido Aikikai. Born on 25 th May 1937 in Tokyo, Japan.

Official representative of Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Spain as well as the founder and head of the Cultural Association of Aikido in Spain. Manages the “Ametsuchi” dojo in Madrid.

Studied Aikido from its founder Morihei Ueshiba and his son
Kisshomaru Ueshiba.

Yasunari Kitaura is a graduate of the Waseda University of Tokyo, an art historian and expert of Renaissance-era art in Western Europe, holds a PhD and teaches in the Complutense University of Madrid. He has written many articles and books.

In 1967 Yasunari Kitaura travelled to Madrid with a fellowship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain to study European art history. During the same year he demonstrated aikido in Spain.

Yasunari Kitaura’s aikido features simple and elegant movements. His aikido concept makes use of powerful and vigorous movements that enable a dynamic and harmonious connection with the energy (ki) flow of an opponent.

Yasunari Kitaura has contributed significantly to the development and aikido and its popularity not only across Europe (including Latvia), but also in Russia and Uzbekistan.

In 2008, Yasunari Kitaura was awarded a commendation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for his work in promoting Japanese culture abroad.