" We Turn the Spotlight on the Life of...
Aikido Master Shoji Nishio Sensei "

Shoji Nishio (1927-2005) was a Japanese aikido teacher who was an 8th dan shihan with the Aikikai.

He was born in Aomori Prefecture in Japan, and started training at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1951. He began to teach Aikido around 1955.

Before aikido, Shoji Nishio studied judo (4th Dan), karate (4th Dan), iaido (7th Dan), jodo, Shinto Muso-ryu jojutsu and Hozoin-ryu sojutsu. He smoothly included these skills into his own aikido style.

He developed a weapon system that was very different to the system from Morihiro Saito. All of his empty-handed techniques could also be performed with the wooden sword (bokken).

He also created a new school of Iaido called Aiki Toho Iaido or Nishio-ryu Iai, which included forms from aikido.

In 2003 he received the Budo Kyoryusho award from the Japanese Budo Federation for his lifetime contribution to development and promotion of aikido.

When Shoji Nishio saw O'Sensei do sword techniques at lightning speed, he wondered how this was possible. He asked his teachers but no-one seemed to know or would teach him, so he decided to practise alone and train himself in the Aikido bokken.

Morihei Ueshiba developed the martial art of Aikido from his combat studies of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu with Sokaku Takeda, and his spiritual studies with the Omoto Kyo and Onisaburi Deguchi. The art of peace that focuses on harmony and non-resistance, leading to Aikido Success

Shoji Nishio focused on atemi to temporarily neutralize an opponent’s fighting ability, which allowed them to correct their attitude and become more reasonable. He said that the number of people who know how to use atemi correctly is gradually decreasing, and thought that in aikido, atemi skills should be preserved.

He was concerned that the message of love and harmony from Morihei Ueshiba, was not being taught. He found that so many individuals, and organisations could not find a way to get along and support each other. He said that Aikido was moving away from being a martial art of power.

He thought that O-Sensei’s way of thinking was very advanced...

“Forgiving, giving, and leading”

He said that O'Sensei disliked kamae in his final years, and would say...

“Why should we take a stance when the purpose of aikido is not to fight? Aikido doesn’t need kamae. That is the old way.”

Finally Revealed... the NEW Aikido Success Blueprint ebook. You can Fast-Track Your Aiki skills to peak performance levels with this massive collection of knowledge, ideal for beginners, students and instructors.

The NEW Aikido First Aid Kit ebook teaches you How to prevent and treat Aikido injuries. It gives you the tools you need to help you stay on the fast track to Aikido mastery. PLUS 4 other FREE BONUS ebooks.

Aikido Success Blueprint Ebook Collection


Shoji Nishio to Homepage