Nishio sensei in Los Angeles
Contributed by Mark Adachi*

Shoji Nishio shihan, Aikikai hachidan, taught a three-day seminar in Los Angeles from July 15-17, 2000. The seminar was held at the Culver City High School gymnasium and was organized and arranged by Robert Bryner sensei and Chikako Bryner. The seminar was well attended with participants coming from as far as Eastern Europe. In addition Stan Pranin manned a well-stocked Aikido Journal/Aiki News table during the seminar (ably assisted by his wife and two children).

Nishio-sensei taught his unique interpretation of Aikido, showing the precise inter-relationship of ken, jo and taijutsu. Using basic aikido technique as a foundation, Nishio-sensei demonstrated how the major budo forms of judo, karate, jodo and swordsmanship could all be seamlessly integrated into the structure and philosophy of aikido. In addition Nishio-sensei also taught his Aikido Toho Iaido, an iaido system completely consistent with aikido technique. At 73 years of age, Nishio-sensei shows no diminution of speed, accuracy or power and is usually more energetic than any of the seminar participants! However, planning for the future, Nishio-sensei introduced Yoshida-sensei, rokudan, as the top instructor among the younger generation of his students. Nishio-sensei expressed his desire for Yoshida-sensei to take over more of his teaching responsibilities in the future, especially abroad. Yoshida-sensei instructed well-received open sessions each day.

Both before and after the main seminar Nishio-sensei taught evening classes at several local dojo in the LA and Orange County area including Orange County Aikikai, Glendale Aikikai, Pasadena Aikikai and Aikido Yoshinkai of California Kadokan.