Shoji Nishio
Shoji Nishio (December 5th 1927 - March 15th 2005), is a Japanese aikidoka (8th daN, shihan), born with Aomori, founder of Aiki Toho Iaido.
Shoji Nishio is a famous and atypical aikidoka. He studies the Judo at 14 years in Senbadojo of Tokyo (6th daN Kodokan Judo) then he integrates into 23 years Shizenryu Karaté (8th daN) where he works with Toyosaku Sodeyama which makes it enter in Aïkikaï Hombu Dojo in 1951. he becomes there one of the pupils most endowed with Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of the aikido (that Sodeyama qualifies untouchable phantom )
He becomes instructor at 28 years and starts to teach in 1955. He initiates himself with the Iaido (8th daN Nihon Zendoku Iaido), with the Jodo and practical also OJ-jutsu of Shinto Muso-ryu and OJ-jutsu of Hozoin-ryu.
After 14 years of teaching like privileged disciple of the Master Morihei Ueshiba, it founds its own school of Aiki Toho Iaido, and becomes Maître of the Japanese Federation of Iaido while continuing to integrate other disciplines without bulk-heading.
Nishio Sensei also exempts its teaching abroad where he is an emissary very popular and adulated by his pupils in France, in Germany, in Sweden and in Denmark, like in the United States.
Its aikido, all in flexibility, are of a great original purity. Marked by a total fluidity and the practice of the techniques of knives (saber, bokken and OJ) each technique is carried out in the same approach with or without them (video).
In 2003, the Japanese Organization of Martial arts decrees to him the Martial Art Award in Budokan Hall of Tokyo whereas since 2000 it gave up any displacement out of Japan.
It is deceased of a cancer, just like its Master 0-Sensei , allotted to the after-effects of the radioactive fallout, on March 15th, 2005 at the 77 years age. A ceremony of homage proceeded with the Temple Zojoji of Tokyo, on March 26th, 2005 in its honor.