Shoji Nishio

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Shoji Nishio in Århus, Denmark 1984

Shoji Nishio (西尾 昭二, Nishio Shōji, December 5, 1927 – March 15, 2005) was a

dan shihan from the Aikikai. He was a direct student of Aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, practiced along with the like of Seigo Yamaguchi and Hiroshi Tada[1]. He also achieved multiple high ranking honors in other martial arts, of which the most notable are Iaido, Judo, Karate.[2][3][4][5]

Nishio developed his Aikido style based on his understanding of Ueshiba's teaching and experience with other martial arts. His style is characterized as dynamic, sharp, natural and effective.[6] The uniqueness of his style compare to other Aikido styles is the deep integration of principles of the sword into Aikido techniques.[7]

His style is taught in Central and Northern Europe, the United States, Mexico, France, Germany[8] as well as in Vietnam, Iran, Australia.

Other martial arts (early stage)

Nishio studied and achieved high ranking honor from other martial art including

jōjutsu and Hōzōin-ryū sōjutsu.[9]

Nishio started practicing judo in 1942 a dojo near Ministry of Finance in the Japanese Mint, where he was then employed. After the war ended in 1945, he joined the Kodokan Judo Institute.[7] Kyuzo Mifune, considered to be one of the greatest judo practitioners ever[10] was Nishio's trainer during this period. By 1950, Nishio switched to practicing karate because he feels the restriction from judo competition limits his martial art growth.[11] In karate, Nishio was trained under Yasuhiro Konishi, the founder of Shindō jinen-ryū (神道自然流) karate.[9] Still feels that karate was limiting,[11] Nishio kept on searching for another martial art. After being told about a ghost-like martial artist who Nishio's sensei at the time couldn’t even hit,[7][12] he decided to go to try out Aikido. With his Karate friends, Nishio came to Nuke Benten to watch Aikido. He signed up after watching 2 classes.[1] Changing primary martial arts did not stop Nishio from practicing others. At the beginning of his Aikido career, he was still practicing Judo and Karate. It was common for him to train about five hours a day.[1]

In 1955, due to the lack of explanation regarding sword and jo techniques from Ueshiba (and other instructors), Nishio started study Iaido under Shigenori Sano (10th dan Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu).[7] He eventually created a new school of Iaido with forms from Aikido, called Aiki Toho Iaido or Nishio-ryu Iai.[5]

Similar reason to practicing Iaido, Nishio trained in Jodo with

Takaji Shimizu
(headmaster of Shindo Muso-ryu) and Yari or art of the spear (hozoin-ryu).

Aikido, distinction and innovations

Nishio joined

Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1952 after 10 years of practicing other martial arts. This was when Aikido was still in very early stage of development as the dojo was not yet properly repaired after the war.[1] He began to teach around 1955. As his Aikido developed, he incorporated skills and principles of other martial arts into his own specific aikido style. In Nishio's style, all techniques can be performed with the wooden sword bokken in hand as well as without weapons. His weapon systems differs significantly to the more common system that derives from Morihiro Saito.[3] He also contributed for the international development of Aikido through out the world by teaching, holding seminars and help establishing dojos of his Aikido style. The regions teaches Nishio-style Aikido includes Central and Northern Europe, the United States, Mexico, France and Germany[8]
as well as Vietnam, Iran, Australia.

Innovation is a must

Nishio strongly believed that the innovation of Aikido is a requirement Ueshiba has from its practitioners. This permeates into a significant differences of his Aikido style compare to other schools. His conclusion based on Ueshiba's words before passing:

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.[13]

Relation to the opposite

Nishio believes that one of Aikido's core tenet is about acknowledging the other person.[14] Most Aikido techniques offer 3-4 opportunities to striking down opponent but ultimately choose the least damaging option. This 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 believes that this context helps recreating each technique close to the spirit of Ueshiba.[15]

Stance

Nishio believes that natural stance (shizentai) is the way to face an opponent, adversary, or training partner. It becomes a physical manifestation of humanity in Aikido.[14] It's said that in his final years, O'Sensei also disliked kamae (roughly means stance before the fight).[2]

In Nishio's style, the stance takes form of hand, hip straight down naturally. Both feet should also be straight with one slightly higher than the other. This feet position let the practitioner face his opposition directly and acknowledge him (the core tenet in Nishio-style). This stance is the same when practitioner use a sword or a jo (a wooden stick). With the sword, the tip of the sword lie down near front foot in front of the holder. With the jo, the direction of the jo intersect with opposition's eyes.[16]

Physically this form a "no stance" stance, however, practitioner should already taking a mental stance of acceptance, awareness, preparation. The hand is then offered to the opposition. Entering technique starts at the moment of contact.[16]

In comparision, most other Aikido styles' stance have one hand or both hand extended forward, usually with extended fingers.[17][18][19][20]

Irimi

In budo, irimi 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. In Nishio's style, in front-facing position, irimi is taken as a half-step[21] 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.[22]

Sword

Purpose

Nishio believes the purpose of the Aikido sword is to purify, as he calls it the "sword of purification".[23]

  • The sword in Aikido does not cut opponent. Rather, it's a tool to control the attack, even before its occurrence. The sword is used to redirect opponent's energy, voiding the need of physical strike.[23] This approach of usage 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).
  • The sword techniques in Aikido aim to find unified direction, not cutting down opponent.[23] Therefore it's a tool to guide both persons toward new understanding and mutual respect. This aspect shows the "purification" of intention of the opposition.
  • The swords also help practitioners understand the core physical mechanics of empty-handed Aikido techniques.[24] This view of utility emphasizes striving for perfection of bodily movements, hence "purifying".

Characteristics

The sword of aikido makes no sound.[23] - Shoji Nishio

Described as otonashi, or "silent," Nishio's sword work relies on minimal blade contact. His sword techniques anticipate and exploit gaps in opponent's attacks, turning defense into offense with precise, flowing movements.[3]

Koshinage - hip throws

The "hip throw'' which is now commonly performed during promotion examinations at Aikikai dojos, was not a well-known technique at first. This is a technique that was independently researched and developed by Nishio and Hiroshio Kuroiwa when they were young instructors at the headquarters, and it is said to have spread to other Aikido practitioners.[25]

Aikido in relation to other martial arts

Nishio believes that other martial arts knowledge is a "nourishment" for one's Aikido development.[26]

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;.[27] Shoji Nishio

Personal

Nishio was born in Aomori Prefecture of Japan in 1927. Professionally, he mostly worked for the Ministry of Finance in the Japanese Mint for his entire career from 1942 to 1980.[3] In 2003 Nishio received the Budo Kyoryusho award from Japanese Budo Federation for his lifetime contribution to development and worldwide propagation of Aikido.[5] He died in March 2005 at age 77 from prostate cancer.[8]

Published works

Books

  • Shoji Nishio, AIKIDO - YURUSU BUDO. The Irimi-Issoku Principle, Dou Publishing, 2004,
    ISBN 4-900586-29-3
    .
  • “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 ,
    ISBN 4-900586-83-8
    .

DVDs

References

  1. ^ a b c d Li, Christopher (2013-11-18). "Interview with Aikido Shihan Shoji Nishio". Aikido Sangenkai Blog. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  2. ^ a b "Shoji Nishio - Aikido Master". Aikido Health Centre. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  3. ^ a b c d "Shoji Nishio, Shihan | Shoji Nishio: Nishikaze Aikido Society of America". Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  4. ^ "Shoji Nishio - Sensei Aikido". senseiaikido.com. 2020-01-21. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  5. ^ a b c "Shoji Nishio". Sakura Aïkikaï. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  6. ^ "Nishio Sensei". www.aikido-paul-muller.com. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  7. ^ a b c d "Yufukan Sofia (Kiyotsura-dojo) - Shoji nishio shihan". nishioaikido.bg. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  8. ^ a b c "故 西尾昭二師範について | 蕨合気道会" (in Japanese). 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  9. ^ a b "Shoji Nishio, Shihan | Shoji Nishio: Nishikaze Aikido Society of America". Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  10. ^ "三船久蔵". いわての文化情報大事典 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  11. ^ a b "Interview with Shoji Nishio (1984), Part 1 by Stanley Pranin – Aikido Journal". 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  12. ^ "Shoji Nishio: Going Beyond O-Sensei – Aikido Journal". 2024-01-04. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  13. ISBN 4-900586-29-3
    .
  14. ^ a b "A True Aiki Swordsman: Philip Greenwood on Shoji Nishio – Aikido Journal". 2019-03-20. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
  15. ISBN 4-900586-29-3
    .
  16. ^
    ISBN 4-900586-29-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link
    )
  17. ^ "Basic Stance".
  18. ^ Newens, Hoa. "Stances in Martial Arts".
  19. ^ "Posture". discovering-aikido.com. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  20. ^ "General information on the stances and body movements used in Aikido | BigRock Aikikai". www.bigrock-aikikai.com. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  21. ^ "Understanding Nishio's Half-Step Can Lead The Way". www.gunjiuniversity.com. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  22. ISBN 4-900586-29-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link
    )
  23. ^
    ISBN 4-900586-29-3
    .
  24. ISBN 4-900586-29-3
    .
  25. ISBN 978-4-86220-431-8
    .
  26. ^ "Nishio Sensei". www.aikipeace.com. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  27. ^ "Aikido Journal". Aikido Journal. 24 (1): 21–22. 1996.

External links

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