Students of Nishio Sensei

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[JJF]

Since Nishio Sensei passed away in 2005 some of his students have carried on teaching aikido around the world. I was wondering who of these that are still active.I would like to start a list, that people are more than welcome to join in and continue develop.

The following is in no particular order.

Arisou Takao Sensei teaches in Warabi dojo and travels to Denmark every year

Shishiya Ichiro Sensei 6th dan teaches in the Tokyo area and travels to Sweden, Germany, Czech Republik and Switzerland
More info here: http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~bk2i-ssy/

Suzuki Shigeru sensei from Matsuyama
Doesn't travel very often, but have been to Denmark in 2009.

So.. please everybody - join in :o)

- JJ

[Aikibu]

Koji Yoshida Sensei holds the rank of 7th dan in Aikido Aikikai, 6th dan Renshi in Iaido(Musoshinden-ryu), and 7th dan in Nishio-ryu Iaido.

Shoji Nishio Shihan appointed him as a representative to the U.S.A., France, and Ukraine in 2000.

He's here in California at least once a year...

Dojo Website: http://www.yufukan.com/index_e.html

William Hazen

[CitoMaramba]

Yasuhiko Takemori Sensei, Aikido 7th Dan Aikikai, Iaido 8th Dan Zenkoku Iaido Renmei.
Takemori-sensei came to Sweden for the first time in the early 90´s, at that time he was the assistant of Nishio sensei. He was for a very long time exclusive uke for Nishio sensei at his exhibitions.

Since 1997 Takemori-sensei teaches yearly seminars in Uppsala and Helsinki, and since 2003 he also visits St Petersburg yearly.

Takemori-sensei often uses bokken and jo in his aikido - elements that in his execution perhaps are less traditional from an aikido-historic perspective but nevertheless expresses the principles of aikido very dynamically.

Along with his high rank in aikido, Takemori-sensei also holds 8 dan in iaido (Zen Koku Iaido Renmei). He works at a junior high school where he teaches Japanese literature and foreign relations. He is married and has four sons. He and his family live in Yokosuka near Yokohama.

http://sommarlager.uppsala-aikikai.com/eng/index.asp

In 2009, Takemori Sensei also conducted a course in London, United Kingdom.

[asiawide]

Seiwakai - Koichi Shibata 7th dan

[JJF]

Hi guys

Thank's a lot. keep 'em comming.

I suddenly remembered the following:

Yoshida Koji, 7th dan aikido, 7th dan aiki toho
Masakazu Tazaki, 6th dan aikido, 6th dan aiki toho

I think...

[crbateman]

Off the top of my head (and my library), I think Michael Russ, Stephi Varjan and Stefan Stenudd could be added to your list. Also, Masakazu Tazaki, Mark Jewkes, and Knut Högvall appear on my radar in numerous places as I link around. I'm sure there are dozens more.

[katsujinken1]

Hi

First: congratulations on your new dojo at Vissenbjerg, Jørgen.

There is a few more people to mention in europe who teaches outside there own country:

Jean Michel Bovio from France have been visiting the Czech republic and Denmark
Remi Delcos from Finnland have been visiting the Czech republic, Sweden and Denmark
Jan Max Bunzel from Denmark have been visiting Finnland and the Czech Republic and Tokyo.
Kim Mortensen from Denmark who lives in Kobe, Japan have been visiting Germany.
Jarkko Lapinlampi from Finnland is teaching in the London area
Kouchi Tanaka have been visiting the Czech republic and a few more countries

Jiri Marek from the Czech republic and Paul Mueller from France is doing some travelling too I guess

Takeo Arisue sensei - is beside visiting Denmark - also going to Thailand and Poland on a regular basis

..and a bonus information: Ichiro Shishiya has become a 7th dan at this years Kagami Biraki ceremony. His is travelling a lot in Germany, Schweitzerland, Sweden and the Czech republic.

So as you can see there is a lot going on - all we need is more to time ....

Brgds

[JJF]

Thank's everybody.. keep 'em comming - and Thomas: thank you.. .please send some students my way - we are still to few to really pack the mat area.

[Omeng Galicia]

Hattori Takao Sensei - Aikido 7th dan & Toho-Iai 7th dan of Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan - http://www.aikikaiyokosuka.com/

Shibata Koichi Sensei 7th dan of Kamisyakuzii, Nerima-ku, Tokyo, Seiwakai Aikido Japan (Masakazu Aikido Assoc.) and with affiliated dojo Seiwakai Aikido Philippines.　

[CitoMaramba]

R Jun Batumbalani (aka L Jun Mateo) in Urdaneta, Pangasinan, Philippines.. 6th Dan Aikikai, 3rd Dan Aiki Toho Iai..

[wxyzabc]

Kitamura Shihan..7th dan...Suwa, Nagano, Japan.

A true gentlemen..

Lee

[JJF]

Thank's for the input. The list so far (in no particular order):

Japanese senseis:
Arisou Takao Sensei 7th. dan
Shishiya Ichiro Sensei 7th dan
Suzuki Shigeru sensei from Matsuyama 8th. dan (I think)
Koji Yoshida Sensei, 7th dan
Yasuhiko Takemori Sensei, 7th Dan
Seiwakai - Koichi Shibata 7th dan
Masakazu Tazaki, 6th dan aikido, 6th dan aiki toho
Kouchi Tanaka
Hattori Takao Sensei - Aikido 7th dan / 7th dan
Shibata Koichi Sensei 7th dan
Kitamura Shihan 7th dan

Some of the non-japanese:
Michael Russ
Stephi Varjan
Stefan Stenudd
Mark Jewkes
Knut Högvall
Jean Michel
Remi Delcos
Jan Max Bunzel
Kim Mortensen
Jarkko Lapinlampi
Jiri Marek from
Paul Mueller
R Jun Batumbalani (aka L Jun Mateo) 6th Dan / 3rd Dan

Please feel free to elaborate the list. Some of the people above I don't know, but I expect that you all only mention them, if they teach only or primarily inspired by Nishio sensei (or it would sort of ruin the point of the list :) )

[KEM]

Please ad to the List Tom Huffman 4th Dan Nishio Aikido and Aikido Toho Iai.

[JJF]

Please ad to the List Tom Huffman 4th Dan Nishio Aikido and Aikido Toho Iai.

Hi Keith

Thank's for jumpstarting a very old thread.. If a few more appears I'll make an update of my list - post.

JJ

[Peter Goldsbury]

Thank's for the input. The list so far (in no particular order):

Japanese senseis:

Suzuki Shigeru sensei from Matsuyama 7th. dan (I am certain)

Please feel free to elaborate the list. Some of the people above I don't know, but I expect that you all only mention them, if they teach only or primarily inspired by Nishio sensei (or it would sort of ruin the point of the list :) )

1. I know Suzuki Shigeru quite well and he often comes with his students to joint training sessions at our dojo in Hiroshima. Shoji Nisjio came to Hiroshima very often and there are many students here who were influenced by him. However, there are very few students here (to my knowledge) who were influenced solely by him and Suzuki-shi is one of these.

2. I am surprised that very few non-Japanese have their ranks listed.

Best wishes,

[Aikibu]

Here a few more of the So-Cali Crew

Robert Bryner Sensei (sadly now deceased) 6th Dan Aikido 3rd Dan Iaido
Chikako Bryner Sensei 5th Dan Aikido 5th dan Iaido
Michele Benzamin Masuda Sensei 5th Dan Aikido 5th Dan Iaido
Micheal Fowler Sensei 5th Dan Aikido 5th Dan Iaido (uchi deshi to Nishio Sensei)

Robert Bryner first brought Nishio Shihan to California.

All of the above are direct students of Shoji Nishio Shihan and Masa Tazaki Sensei and received numerous Dan rankings from him in both Aikido and Aiki-Toho-Iai

There are now quite a few 2nd Generation Dan students of the above and we're growing rapidly here and in Texas along with Dojos in Colorado and New Mexico.

William Hazen

[JJF]

It is kind of strange to receive news of students of Nishio sensei passing. Makes it seem like he has been gone for far more than the 8 years it has been (actually precisely 8 years on friday).

It's clear that a lot of great Aikido teachers and practitioners that are heavily influenced by Nishio sensei also incorporate input from other shihans. Suzuki sensei for example teach both Nishio style and something closer to what they teach at Hombu dojo. Very confusing for us, but also remarkable that he is able to include all these different approaches and interpretations.

The problem is that the list I'm building here will always be based on individual judging of the level of 'Nishio inspiration' for each person on the list. In the end however I guess we know quite well whether we see our selves as Nishio descendants or not.

So - probably no such thing as a 'pure' Nishio Aikido Ka - but the purpose is to gather a list of those who remember our master with veneration and try to include his principles in our Aikido.
Also I will try to include the 'first and second generation' perspective in the list. Personally I have been to a few Nishio seminars, but I consider myself 2. generation since most of my Aikido was taught to me by other people. To qualify for 1. generation... well again it will have to be a case-by-case evaluation.

Finally I will only gather information on 4th dan and above - not to discriminate (keeps me out of the list too) but just to keep it kind of short.

So much for a definition. Now back to the list:

Robert Bryner Sensei (deceased) 6th Dan Aikido 3rd Dan Iaido
Chikako Bryner Sensei 5th Dan Aikido 5th dan Iaido
Michele Benzamin Masuda Sensei 5th Dan Aikido 5th Dan Iaido
Micheal Fowler Sensei 5th Dan Aikido 5th Dan Iaido (uchi deshi to Nishio Sensei)
Suzuki Shigeru sensei from Matsuyama 7th. dan
Tom Huffman 4th Dan Nishio Aikido and Aikido Toho Iai
Arisou Takao Sensei 7th. dan
Shishiya Ichiro Sensei 7th dan
Koji Yoshida Sensei, 7th dan
Yasuhiko Takemori Sensei, 7th Dan
Seiwakai - Koichi Shibata 7th dan
Masakazu Tazaki, 6th dan aikido, 6th dan aiki toho
Kouchi Tanaka
Hattori Takao Sensei - Aikido 7th dan / 7th dan
Shibata Koichi Sensei 7th dan
Kitamura Shihan 7th dan
Michael Russ
Stephi Varjan 5th dan aikido, 6th dan toho
Stefan Stenudd
Mark Jewkes - 5th dan aikido, 4th dan aiki toho
Thomas Ludvigsen - 5th Aikido, ? dan aiki toho
Thomas Glæsner - 4th dan Aikido, 3. dan aiki toho
Peter Jakobsen - 4th dan Aikido, 3. dan aiki toho
Lars Jensen - 4th. dan Aikido, ?
Torben Pedersen - 5. dan Aikido, 4th dan aikitoho
Adam Masewiecz - 4. dan Aikido, 2. dan Aikitoho
George Fajnburg - 5th dan Aikido, 2. dan Aikitoho
Carsten Letort - 4. dan Aikido
Morten Jensen - 4.dan Aikido
Frank Føns - 4. dan Aikido
Bent Brøgger - 6 dan Aikido - 4. dan Iaido
Jens Andersson - 4. dan Aikido
Søren Wigh - 6. dan Aikido
Knut Högvall
Jean Michel Bovio - 6th dan aikido / 6th dan Aiki toho
Remi Delcos
Jan Max Bunzel - 6th dan Aikido / 6th dan Aiki toho
Kim Mortensen
Jarkko Lapinlampi
Jiri Marek
Paul Mueller
R Jun Batumbalani (aka L Jun Mateo) 6th Dan / 3rd Dan

It's probably still far from complete - so please feel free to add more people or correct missing/faulty information.

JJ

[Dan Richards]

From Aarhus, Leo Larsen, Jorge Londono
From KBH, Jørgen Brandt, Yoshiharu Hosoda, Mikkel ?,
Christiania: Patrick Fitzgerald

Bill Hazen, I believe he's still in Maryland.

All these people were up and rolling with Nishio by the late 80's and early 90's, and have 30+ years of training.

David Ham and John Bollinger are in San Antonio, TX.

Cool to see Adam Masewiecz is still training. He shot miles of video tape of all the Nishio seminars in Denmark in the early 90's.

[Aikibu]

From Aarhus, Leo Larsen, Jorge Londono
From KBH, Jørgen Brandt, Yoshiharu Hosoda, Mikkel ?,
Christiania: Patrick Fitzgerald

Bill Hazen, I believe he's still in Maryland.

All these people were up and rolling with Nishio by the late 80's and early 90's, and have 30+ years of training.

David Ham and John Bollinger are in San Antonio, TX.

Cool to see Adam Masewiecz is still training. He shot miles of video tape of all the Nishio seminars in Denmark in the early 90's.

Sorry I thought Bill had been mentioned. ;) Yes folks there are two of us. LOL FYI John and David Ham are both 2nd Generation US Nishio students. John was under Robert Bryner and Micheal Fowler and David is/was under Masa Tazaki. I have not seen Bill since Nishio Sensei's seminar in Santa Cruz, and I've known both John and David for many many years. :)

William Hazen

[JJF]

Hi all

Just came up with a few extra.

Robert Bryner Sensei (deceased) 6th Dan Aikido 3rd Dan Iaido
Chikako Bryner Sensei 5th Dan Aikido 5th dan Iaido
Michele Benzamin Masuda Sensei 5th Dan Aikido 5th Dan Iaido
Micheal Fowler Sensei 5th Dan Aikido 5th Dan Iaido (uchi deshi to Nishio Sensei)
Suzuki Shigeru sensei from Matsuyama 7th. dan
Tom Huffman 4th Dan Nishio Aikido and Aikido Toho Iai
Arisou Takao Sensei 7th. dan
Shishiya Ichiro Sensei 7th dan
Koji Yoshida Sensei, 7th dan
Yasuhiko Takemori Sensei, 7th Dan
Seiwakai - Koichi Shibata 7th dan
Masakazu Tazaki, 6th dan aikido, 6th dan aiki toho
Kouchi Tanaka
Hattori Takao Sensei - Aikido 7th dan / 7th dan
Shibata Koichi Sensei 7th dan
Kitamura Shihan 7th dan
Michael Russ
Stephi Varjan 5th dan aikido, 6th dan toho
Stefan Stenudd
Mark Jewkes - 5th dan aikido, 4th dan aiki toho
Thomas Ludvigsen - 5th Aikido, ? dan aiki toho
Thomas Glæsner - 4th dan Aikido, 3. dan aiki toho
Peter Jakobsen - 4th dan Aikido, 3. dan aiki toho
Lars Jensen - 4th. dan Aikido, ?
Torben Pedersen - 5. dan Aikido, 4th dan aikitoho
Adam Masewiecz - 4. dan Aikido, 2. dan Aikitoho
George Fajnburg - 5th dan Aikido, 2. dan Aikitoho
Carsten Letort - 4. dan Aikido
Morten Jensen - 4.dan Aikido
Frank Føns - 4. dan Aikido
Bent Brøgger - 6 dan Aikido - 4. dan Iaido
Jens Andersson - 4. dan Aikido
Søren Wigh - 6. dan Aikido
Knut Högvall
Jean Michel Bovio - 6th dan aikido / 6th dan Aiki toho
Remi Delcos
Jan Max Bunzel - 6th dan Aikido / 6th dan Aiki toho
Kim Mortensen
Jarkko Lapinlampi
Jiri Marek
Paul Mueller
R Jun Batumbalani (aka L Jun Mateo) 6th Dan / 3rd Dan
Leo Larsen 5. dan (not practicing anymore)
Jorge Londono 5. dan (not practicing a lot)
Jørgen Brandt
Yoshiharu Hosoda
Mikkel ?,
Patrick Fitzgerald ?
Bill Hazen
David Ham
John Bollinger
Sakamoto (teaches in Mikronesia)
Tanaka sensei (Warabi)
Yamada sensei (Warabi)
Iwakata Yutaka
Takashi Kuroki 5th dan

Regarding Adam Masewiecz.. yup.. he did miles and miles of video.. he just received his 4th dan. I believe by recommendation.

Well.. keep 'em comming :)

JJ

[KEM]

An important thread. So few teaching Nishio aikido in the US and fewer still in the east. Tom Huffman Sensei trained with Nishio Sensei who awarded him his 4th dan in Aikido and iaido. I'm grateful to be his student. He also does batoh in Nishio style and Toyama ryu. Not sure how many people are cutting in the style Nishio Sensei taught. Nishio Sensei has been called the 'innovative genius' of Aikido and entrusted his Aikido to a few gifted students to ensure it thrived. It is going to take a long time to get even a small percentage of it and maintain a spirit of innovation without damaging basic effectiveness.

[midoribayashi]

Hi everyone. Philip Greenwood here. I'm a Nishio Aikido instructor, my dojo is in Temecula, CA. I am currently 5th dan Aikido and 5th dan Aiki Toho Iaido both under Koji Yoshida Sensei.

[JJF]

Hi Philip. Thank you for joining the debate. I'll add you to the list on the next follow up :)

Great day to you

JJ

[zanshin79]

Hi!

Please add
Kazuo Sato - 4th dan Aikido, 3. dan Toho

He's the president of the german Nishio Aikido association "Deutsche Aikido Renmei e.V."

Thanks

[katsujinken1]

Hi JJ
I rediscovered your list when I was searching the internet in doing some other research and I can add a few more to your list

These people are all 1st generation students of Nishio sensei that I now off who is active but not on your list

From Japan there is of course Nakamichi sensei (7th ?)and Kiku sensei (5th dan?)

From Sweden you miss Cecilie Stellander 6 th dan and Cenneth Sparby 6 th dan as well as Carlos Enguis 5 th dan. Uppsala dojo was very active in hosting seminars in the 80' alongside with what became Danish aikikai when Nishio sensei started to come to Scandinavia

I also miss Jussi Veihilainin 5 th dan from Finnland and Kai Koshkinen 4 th dan

Jan Thomsen 4 th dan has started to practise again and also Carsten Como Breuning 4 th dan both Denmark

In Thailand you will find Tony Taggliatelli (5 th dan ?)

In Poland there will be Michael ...(6th dan?)

From France you will have to add Thierry Daquin (5th dan) and Jerome Gardette (4th dan ?)

Also Larry( Lawrence) Kwolek from Czeck/ Usa (4th dan?)

In the mid Nineties I went to a seminar with Nishio sensei in Munich and I dont remember for sure but i believe it was Adriano Trevisan 5 th dan who was hosting the seminar

I believe they are all teaching at least on a national scale

Brgds
Thomas

[daiwa]

Hello everyone, My name is Carlos Enguis, 5th dan Aikido and a 1st generation student of Nishio Sensei.

My dojo has been Daiwa Aikido, but is now called the Härnö Aikido. I'm not very active abroad, but very active in Sweden. Most active I've been in Uppsala, but now as a retiree, I have moved to Härnösand where I continue to teach Nishio Aikido.