Steve Osawa Sensei first stepped on to our mat as a student in 1993.  At that time he was a senior officer in the Fremont Police Department.  In those days we had a noon class which fit into his work schedule.  It did not take us long to realize what an incredible reservoir of knowledge and skill that he had in a number of traditional Japanese martial arts as well as ‘street self-defense’.  In 1994 his work schedule changed and he was able to attend our evening classes.  Osawa Sensei joined our teaching staff and we titled his weekly class_ “Street Savvy”, which has held a place on our training schedule ever since.  His classes cover everything from traditional aikido techniques to judo throws, knife fighting styles, jujutsu locks and choke holds.  He is a very enthusiastic instructor and his classes are open to students of all levels, beginner to senior.  Osawa Sensei is also the inspiration behind our “Tameshigiri Class” (target cutting) which meets once a month under his direction.

Osawa Sensei started kendo and judo as a youngster.  He trained in competitive judo for 8 years and achieved the rank of black belt.  His kendo training continued on for many years. He studied under a number of instructors, the last being Hashimoto Sensei at the Union City Buddhist Church.  He ended his kendo practice in 1990.  Osawa Sensei started training in aikido and juijutsu in his early 20s.  Due to his judo background and enthusiastic nature, senior instructors of both arts have taken notice of him at seminars.  He has taken ‘falls’ from many legendary, world class teachers.  Osawa Sensei holds the rank of black belt in aikido and juijutsu.  Along the way he has also studied a number of sword styles and knife fighting traditions. 

Osawa Sensei grew up in family rooted in the Japanese martial arts tradition.  His great, great uncle on his mother’s side was samurai, his grandfather studied traditional kendo and his father was a judoka (practiced judo).  He has a number of very funny stories from his childhood.  In one such story his granddad had been sitting at a kitchen window watching him practice kendo in the back yard.  The ‘old man’ had been trained in traditional kendo and held little respect for the sport_ ‘shinai-do’. He frequently shared his opinions in grumbles and colorful language, and consistently refused Steve’s requests for help.  On this particular afternoon the ‘old man’ surprised him when he walked out the back door and picked up a shinai.   Without a word said, they faced off.  A moment of stillness… and then with lightning speed the old man whacked him really hard.  Un-ceremonially granddad walked away shaking his head, mumbling in Japanese.

Not only is Osawa Sensei a highly skilled and gifted instructor, he’s also a committed student and a model sempai (senior student).   In spite of his many years of training, he cultivates a ‘beginners mind’, ever opening to new ideas.  He absolutely loves training and when his partner catches his center, he bellows with laughter as he takes his fall. He’s often available during our open mat times to help anyone in need, be it learning to roll or preparing for a black belt exam.  He never shirks the ‘dirty work’, frequently the first to show up when there’s a need.  Without a doubt Osawa Sensei is one of the cornerstones of Aiki Zenshin Dojo.