Founder of the Orange County Aiki Kai and its chief instructor until his early death, he did much to popularize the art in southern California.
[4] He was drawn to Aikido by the spiritual aspects of the teachings of Morihei Ueshiba, and trained in California under Koichi Tohei.
[5] Soon after he moved to Garden Grove, California where he launched the Orange County Aiki Kai in a larger facility.
Jerry Glassman, who founded the HAI KI Aiki Center in Eugene, Oregon, was to accept honorary godan (5th dan) in 2000.
[12] While leading the OC Aikikai, Ishisaka also held a full-time job as a machinist with a company in El Toro, California.
[2] Harry Ishisaka died in mid-January 1978 at the age of fifty, after suffering a heart attack during an Aikido demonstration at Irvine College, California.
He practiced ki exercises with his students, and encouraged use of techniques such as controlled deep breathing, meditation and complete relaxation.