Shoji Nishio

Shoji Nishio
Shoji Nishio in Århus, Denmark 1984
Born(1927-12-05)December 5, 1927
Aomori Prefecture, Japan
DiedMarch 15, 2005(2005-03-15) (aged 77)
Tokyo, Japan
Native name西尾 昭二
Other namesAi Do In Bu Yo Sho Gaku Yu Ko Ko Ji[1] (posthumous Dharma name)
StyleAikido, Iaido
Teacher(s)Morihei Ueshiba, Kyuzo Mifune, Yasuhiro Konishi, Shigenori Sano
Rank8th Dan Aikikai, 7th Dan Iaido, 6th Dan Judo, 5th Dan Karate

Shoji Nishio (西尾 昭二, Nishio Shōji, December 5, 1927 – March 15, 2005) was a Japanese aikido practitioner and innovator. He held the rank of 8th dan shihan from the Aikikai. He also achieved multiple high ranking honors in other martial arts from different lineages, most notably Iaido, Judo, Karate.[2][3][4][1]

Nishio developed his Aikido style based on his understanding of Aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba's teaching and experience with other martial arts. His style has been described by practitioners as dynamic, natural and effective.[5][6] The uniqueness of his style compared to other Aikido styles is the integration of the sword principles and atemi mechanics into Aikido techniques.[7]

His diligent and innovative approach to martial art is demonstrated by the creation of a new school of iaido, the introduction of koshinage, and different interpretations of classical budo concepts, among others. Some emphases of his Aikido style include the importance of acknowledgement of opposition, weapon techniques, natural stance, and atemi.

Nishio's contributions to Aikido extended beyond technical aspects as he played a significant role in the art's international development. He left a lasting impact through his teachings, publications, and the worldwide propagation of his style. It is taught in 19 countries in Europe, America, Asia, South East Asia and Australia.[8][9] He was honored by the Japanese Budo Federation with the Budo Kyoryusho award (2003) for his contribution to Aikido's development and global reach.[1]

  1. ^ a b c "Shoji Nishio". Sakura Aïkikaï. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  2. ^ "Shoji Nishio - Aikido Master". Aikido Health Centre. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  3. ^ "Shoji Nishio, Shihan | Shoji Nishio: Nishikaze Aikido Society of America". Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  4. ^ "Shoji Nishio - Sensei Aikido". senseiaikido.com. 2020-01-21. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  5. ^ "Nishio Sensei". www.aikido-paul-muller.com. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  6. ^ "Nishio Aikido – Aikido Journal". 2021-05-09. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  7. ^ "Yufukan Sofia (Kiyotsura-dojo) - Shoji nishio shihan". nishioaikido.bg. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  8. ^ "故 西尾昭二師範について | 蕨合気道会" (in Japanese). 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  9. ^ "Dojo List | Shoji Nishio: Nishikaze Aikido Society of America". Retrieved 2024-06-21.