American Yoshinkan Aiki Jujutsu was founded by Hasaka Yutashi, grew up in the martial arts, first learning Jujutsu from his father. Over time, he began development of what would later become American Yoshinkan Aiki Jujutsu (named in 1999), although he still remained an active student of the arts. although it is not fully clear how long he would he would study Daito Ryu with Horikawa Kodo during the 1960s and '70s but there is a strong Daito presence within this Jujutsu art, Hasaka must have also studied Yoshinkan Aikido briefly with Shioda Gozo at some point within his lifetime due to the very distinct footwork with in then art. Shioda was a fellow student of Horikawa around 1977-78 after Horikawa visited his Tokyo dojo, and so Hasaka sensei had the opportunity to pick up information and techniques during his visit. However, Shioda would have the most impact and influence so greatly that his art became the inspiration for the name.