Shoji Nishio

Encounter with aikido Still feeling that karate was limiting, he decided to try aikido. With his karate friends, Nishio went to Nuke Benten to watch aikido. He signed up after watching two classes. As his aikido developed, he incorporated skills and principles of other martial arts into his own aikido style. In 1976, he was promoted to 8th dan aikido.

Philosophy of engagement with oppositions Nishio believed that one of aikido's core tenets was about acknowledging the other person. Most aikido techniques offer 3-4 opportunities to striking down opponents, but ultimately choose the least damaging option. This type of choice materializes the philosophy of acknowledgment, understanding, acceptance and mutual respect of and for others, even as they are opposition. Aikido's philosophy stands in contrast to other martial arts' goal of overcoming other. Nishio believed that this context helped recreating each technique close to the spirit of Ueshiba. His conclusion based on Ueshiba's words was Before the Founder passed away thirty-four years ago he told us, “This old man has brought [aikido] this far; all of you must take it from here.” In light of these words, I think it is insufficient—unforgivable, in fact—for us to simply maintain the status quo. The commitment to this view is reflected by Nishio's technical contributions and distinctions within the martial art world. He is considered as "one of the foremost technical innovators" in aikido. All styles of budo are continuously struggling in their own fashion to improve. Practitioners of budo must remain aware of and understand the nature of these changes. Arts like karate, judo and kendo all have their good points and these can be used to nourish one's own budo training, taking them into account and making even greater efforts. [...] The only people who condemn other budo are those that do not practice them. Shoji NishioIndeed, he was still practicing judo and karate for a period even after signing up for aikido.

Stance Form In Nishio's style, the shizentai stance takes form of hand, hip straight down naturally. This feet position let the practitioner face his opposition directly and acknowledge him (a core tenet in Nishio-style). With the jo, the direction of the jo intersect with opposition's eyes.

Tsukuri Tsukuri (作り, "set-up") is the first of three stages in Nishio-style aikido technique execution, followed by kuzushi (breaking balance) and waza/kake (technique execution). The term combines tsuku (to create) with the noun-forming suffix ri. In budo context, tsukuri refers to creating advantageous positioning that can be converted into technique within one or two moves.

Application Nishio teaching emphasizes taking initiative to elicit opponent reactions rather than passive response. Practitioners must adapt their setup to match personal body mechanics and intended technique.

Origins The three-stage system likely derives from Nishio's judo background, though timing and application differ between the arts. This explicit three-stage framework is unique to Nishio's style, and is not found in mainstream aikido schools.

Irimi interpretation In budo, irimi (入り身, iri = enter, mi = body) is essentially the movement to obtain an opponent's "dead angle." This refers to a strategic position offering effective strike and control opportunities while it is significantly harder/slower for the opposition to do so. instead of a one-step in other aikido schools. The step is to the right and slightly forward, create a direction of about 30 degree compare to the shoulder's initial position. Nishio style practitioners believe by taking half-step instead of full step, one stays connected to the opposition thereby maintaining effective control of the situation. In aikido, atemis are often used to take off balance and focus rather than delivering decisive blow. Aikido is forty percent throwing and sixty percent pinning. [...] Further, in all of the techniques there is atemi. [...] In the aikido I learned (and that I now teach), we do throws and pins with the rhythm and feeling of atemi. Shoij NishioIn mainstream Aikido styles, atemi are demonstrated infrequently, and felt into disuse. In Nishio's style, atemis are everywhere and numerous (his teaching list at least 10 different hand strikes, 5 elbow strikes). More than strikes, atemis in his style determine the rhythm and timing of techniques.

Introduction of koshinage

In Japansese, koshinage means hip throw (腰投げ, koshi = hip, nage = throw). The "hip throw" which is now commonly performed during promotion examinations at Aikikai dojos, was not a well-known technique at first. Aikido's throwing repertoire was limited to iriminage, shihonage, and kotegaeshi.

Approach toward weapons usage In 1955, due to the lack of explanation regarding sword and jo techniques from Ueshiba (and other instructors),

In 1957 or 1958, Nishio trained in jōdō with Takaji Shimizu (headmaster of Shintō Musō-ryū jōjutsu) and Yari or art of the spear (Hōzōin-ryū sōjutsu). His applications of the ken and jo are known to be fast and subtle. I have experience in karate and judo, and feel the way of the sword is central, so I reflect empty-hand techniques and throws in my sword and jo movements. O-sensei said, "If your hands hold a sword, then aikido is a sword; if your hands hold a jo, then aikido is a jo." - Shoji NishioNishio's approach on sword work departed from Ueshiba's characterization of the "radiant sword of pacification". Nishio's sword utilization style can be described as the silent sword of purification.

Purpose He believed the purpose of the aikido sword was to purify, as he called it the "sword of purification". This approach emphasizes the focus on control, the removal of conflict and unnecessary of damaging others. Thereby using in this way, it will forge the sword's controller out of mental "impurities" (the desire to hurt and creation of conflict). This view of utility emphasizes striving for perfection of bodily movements, hence "purifying".

Characteristic The sword of aikido makes no sound. ), where the significant part of controls are achieved through impact with the other sword, resulting in clashing of the swords heard throughout.

Criticism Nishio's departure in approach (on development of techniques and application) was not always get approval from some other senior practitioners. Koichi Tohei was notably critical, reportedly stated that Nishio's methods were not aikido. 8th dan 7th dan Aikido Toho Iai Japan, Denmark Koji Yoshida 7th dan 6th dan renshi Musoshinden ryu iaido, 7th dan Aikido Toho Iai Japan, USA, France, Czech Republic Jean-Michel Bovio 7th dan 7th dan Aikido Toho Iai France, Germany, Czech Republic Ichiro Shishiya 7th dan 5th dan Aikido Toho Iai Japan, Sweden Kunio Yoshimoto 7th dan 5th dan iaido Paul Muller 7th dan 5th dan Aikido Toho Iai France Philip Greenwood 6th dan 5th dan iaido USA

Personal life Nishio was born in Aomori Prefecture of Japan in 1927. Occupationally, he mostly worked for the Ministry of Finance in the Japanese Mint for his entire career from 1942 to 1980. He died in March 2005 from prostate cancer.

Published works

Books

Shoji Nishio, Aikido – Yurusu Budo. The Irimi-Issoku Principle, Dou Publishing, 2004. . “The Path to Forgiving Martial Arts” (Interview) “Definitive Edition Morihei Ueshiba and Aikido 2 - Direct Disciples Talking About the Founder” edited by Aiki News Editorial Department, Dou Publishing, 2006.

DVDs

"Shoji Nishio's Aikido Volume 1: Reverse half body one-handed/Aihan body one-handed edition", Dou Publishing, 2004. "Shoji Nishio's Aikido Volume 2: Sho-uchi Edition", Dou Publishing, 2004. "Shoji Nishio's Aikido Volume 3: Yokomen-uchi/Ryote-dori/Sode-dori/Shoulder-men-uchi edition", Dou Publishing, 2004. "Shoji Nishio's Aikido Volume 4: Aikido Toho Iai Edition", Dou Publishing, 2004.