Shoji Nishio

Shoji Nishio Sensei

1927 – 2005


Rank: 8th dan, Shihan, Aikikai
December 5, 1927 – March 15, 2005
Dojo: Tokyo-Yokohama area, Japan









Shoji Nishio Sensei

Born on December 5, 1927 (prefecture of Aomori) and die on March 15, 2005 (in its residence). Expert in various Martial arts from which it take advantage to create a unique Aikido that it always wished in constant evolution.

His path is atypical in the world of Budo:

8th dan of Aikido: He begins with O sensei in 1951 and will have the chance to know him until its death in 1969.

7th dan of Iaido (nihon zendoku iaido federation): He studied with Shigenori Sano Sensei in the Fifties the muso-jikiden-eishin-ryu, then creates a new school: the aikido-toho-iaido which takes origins in the techniques of Aikido.

6th dan of Judo: he starts during adolescence (4th dan in 1950 of the Mifune school).

5th dan of Karate. he begins at the end of the Forties with Yasuhiro Konishi Sensei (1893-1983), founder of the shindo-jinen-ryu, and that he practised himself several years with O sensei and Gichin Funakoshi.

Nishio Sensei has also practical Jodo (shino-muso-ryu) with Takaji Shimizu Sensei (1896-1978) and Yari or art of the spear (hozoin-ryu).

Retired of Japanese administration in 1980, He will devote most of his time to travel to teach his art (USA, Scandinavian countries, France, Germany, Czech Republic….).

In January 2003, the Japanese organization of the Martial arts gave him the Martial Art Award in Budokan hall of Tokyo for its contribution to Budo.

In 2000, he finishes his book entitled “yurusu Budo” (Budo of forgiveness”) and publishes it 1 year before its death (it had not wished to write it before, explaining that a book describes a fixed moment wheras his Aikido evolves all the time, but he confided that when he would make it, end would be close.) He left us on March 15, 2005.

In Japan it is a general rule that after the death of a person he or she is given a new name in the temple.This new name is called Kaimyo.

Ai Do In Bu Yo Sho Gaku Yu Ko Ko JiThis is a posthumous Buddhist name for Mr. Shoji Nishio.

Ai Do In – These first three characters are called “Ingo”. In – This name is given by his temple for ascetic practices as a disciple of Amida and Buddha. So, he became a chief priest at one Buddhist temple and started to practice asceticism to take care of us. We know that he mastered the profound principles of Aikido. This name has included our wish that he will be spiritually awakened to follow the teaching of Buddha in the Buddhistos’ paradise (heaven) and devote himself to his studies of Buddhist enlightenment sincerely and earnestly.

Bu Yo – These next two characters are called “Yogo”. This name is given to a person that made a remarkable contribution to Martial Arts (BUDO).

Sho Gaku Yu Ko – These next four characters are generally called “Kaimyo”.About
SHO GAKU, the first character Sho originates from the name of Shoji. The next characters GAKU have the meaning of a mountain. He was a vital and pivotal person for the Nishio family. He was diligent and hardworking. And he studied Budo and had a good health.
About Yu Ko, he had many aikido students in the world. He was a kind and extremely virtuous man. He was also an outstanding master of aikido. We pray that his soul may rest in peace under the peaceful light of AMIDA. And we also pray that he become Buddha keeping an eye on Nishio family, relatives, friends and persons who study aikido in order to live in good health.

The following title (Ko Ji) will be given to the man after his death.


Shoji Nishio sensei

Né le 5 décembre 1927 (préfecture de Aomori) et décédé le 15 mars 2005 ( à son domicile).Expert dans divers Art Martiaux dont il a su tirer profit pour créer un Aïkido unique et qu’il à toujours souhaité en constante évolution

Son parcours est atypique dans le monde du Budo:

8ème dan d’Aïkido: il débute avec O sensei en 1951 et aura la chance de le côtoyer jusqu’à sa mort en 1969

7ème dan de Iaido (nihon zendoku iaido fédération): il a étudié entre autres avec Me Shigenori Sano dans les Années 50 le muso-jikiden-eishin-ryu, puis crée une nouvelle école: l’aikido-toho-iaido qui prend essence dans les techniques d’Aïkido.

6ème dan de Judo: il commence à l’adolescence (4ème dan en 1950 de l’école Mifune).

5ème dan de Karaté. Il débute fin des années 40 avec Me Yasuhiro Konishi (1893-1983), fondateur du shindo-jinen-ryu, et qu’il a lui même pratiqué plusieurs années avec O sensei et Gichin Funakoshi.

Me Nishio a aussi pratique le Jodo (shino-muso-ryu) avec Me Takaji Shimizu (1896-1978) et Yari ou art de la lance (hozoin-ryu)

Retraite de l’administration japonaise en 1980, il va alors consacrer une grande partie de son temps à voyager pour enseigner son art (Usa, pays nordique, France, Allemagne, République Tchèque….)

En janvier 2003, l’organisation japonaise des Arts Martiaux lui décerne le Martial Art Award au Budokan hall de Tokyo pour sa contribution au Budo.

En 2000, il termine son livre intitulé “yurusu Budo” (le Budo du pardon”) et le publie 1 an avant sa mort (il n’avait pas souhaité l’écrire avant , expliquant qu’un livre décrit un instant figé alors que son Aikido évolue tout le temps, mais avait confié que lorsqu’il le ferait sa fin serait proche.) Il nous a quitté le 15 mars 2005.

Au Japon, il est courant, au temple, de donner un nouveau nom à la personne décédée: ce nouveau non est appelé Kaimyo, celui de Me Nishio est Ai Do In Bu Yo Sho Gaku Yu Ko Ko Ji.

Ai Do In: ces 3 caractères sont appelés Ingo (In: nom donnée par son temple pour ses croyances comme disciple de Amida et Bouddha.)

Bu Yo: ces 2 caractères sont appelés Yogo. Ce nom est donné à une personne dont la contribution au Budo à été remarquable

Sho Gaku Yu Ko: ces 4 caractères sont appelés Kaimyo.
Pour Sho Gaku, Sho vient de Shoji et Gaku de montagne (dans le sens ou Me Nishio était un pilier de la famille Nishio par sa vitalité, sa gentillesse et son travail).
Yu Ko car il avait de nombreux élèves d’Aïkido dans le monde.

Ko Ji: titre donné à l’homme après sa mort.













Book / Livre

Shoji Nishio Yurusu Budo

Shoji Nishio, Yuruso Budo


Interview Nishio Senseï Aikinews 1992