PEOPLE
Tenzan Gensho Rokoji (Fumio Toyoda Shihan, 1947-2001)
Shinjinkan Dojo Founder
Raised and trained in Japan, the Aikido and Zen
master Tenzan (Fumio) Toyoda arrived in Chicago in
1974 and immediately set to work spreading the
teachings of Japanese martial arts and Zen. He
stated that his dream was to found three major
training halls in America, to be named Tenshinkan,
Shinjinkan, and Ryoshinkan. This dream of three dojo
was finally fulfilled in 1997, only a few years before
his death. In the meantime, he had also built an
organization of more than 100 affiliated schools around
the world training under his guidance.
One of these three, Shinjinkan dojo, was founded by Toyoda Shihan in the mid- 1980's and continues today as the headquarters of Shinjinkai. Building upon Sensei's lifelong work of transmitting authentic Japanese martial art and Zen teachings to the West, we dedicate our efforts to his memory.
For more information on Toyoda Sensei and his life, please see his longer biography and several lectures on our Articles and Resources page.
Meido Moore, Director and Chief Instructor
Meido Moore began martial arts training in 1986, and in 1988 traveled to study meditation under Buddhist teachers in India and Nepal. In 1990 he was invited by the Aikido and Zen master Tenzan Toyoda Sensei to Chicago, where he began the first of six years residence as uchideshi (personal apprentice) under that teacher. In 1991 he was appointed Chief Instructor of the original Shinjinkan Dojo.
Mr. Moore went on to serve as General Manager and later Director of Toyoda Sensei's organizations, the Aikido Association of America and Aikido Association International. He served for 10 years as Toyoda Sensei's otomo (personal attendant), and was eventually appointed senior Shihandai ("master's assistant", the highest instructional title awarded by that teacher) and dojo-cho (director) of the Ryoshinkan, Toyoda Sensei's international headquarters dojo. In 1999 Toyoda Sensei designated Moore and another uchideshi (Mr. Marc Pandolfi) as his two successors, with responsibility for carrying and transmitting his unique teachings and instructional methodology. To fulfill that responsibility, Moore Sensei founded Shinjinkai in 2002.
Since 1991 he has instructed several hundred seminars, retreats and training camps, at Aikido schools, universities (Northwestern University, University of Chicago, DePaul University, Notre Dame), corporations (Motorola), fitness and community centers, and other venues throughout the United States and in Canada, Japan, England, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Greece, Croatia and Bulgaria. In both private and agency-sponsored trainings he has instructed federal, state and local law-enforcement officers in the United States, as well as government security and police anti-terrorist units in Europe. His specific self-defense instruction for women was featured on the NBC television series Starting Over.
Today he continues to teach Aikido, Zen and Internal Training at our headquarters and internationally. He holds the rank of rokudan in Aikido and has additionally been certified as an Aikido teacher (Shidoin) by T.K. Chiba Shihan. He is also a student of classical Japanese martial arts.
In 2003 Moore Sensei was ordained in the Zen Buddhist tradition. He has received inka shomei, recognition as a 48th generation lineage holder in the Rinzai dharma line; he is active as a teacher with Daiyuzenji and Korinji, two Zen temples.
Enmei Hunter
Enmei Hunter Sensei began Aikido training in 1994 under Fumio Toyoda Shihan and Meido Moore Sensei, and later participated in the Kenshusei (instructor training) program at Toyoda Sensei's Tenshinkan dojo. She served as the Youth Aikido instructor at Tenshinkan and today directs the youth Aikido programs at Shinjinkai in addition to serving as Moore Sensei's primary instructional assistant.
Prior to her work with Shinjinkai Ms. Hunter served as secretary for two not-for-profit organizations founded by Toyoda Sensei, Aikido International Foundation and Zen Training Academy International. Enmei holds the rank of sandan in Aikido.
David Miller
David Miller Sensei begain training in Aikido under the direction of the late Fumio Toyoda Shihan in February, 1979. He has served as President of Aikido International Foundation, a member of the Aikido Association of America national teaching committee, and as Director of Aikido Association of America. One of the most senior of Toyoda Sensei's students and a designated Shihandai (master's assistant), Mr. Miller was a regular instructor at Toyoda Sensei's Tenshinkan dojo; his Saturday class was, for many years, a highlight of the weekly schedule there. Today, Miller Sensei continues his teaching and training with Shinjinkai. He holds the rank of godan in Aikido.
Miller Sensei also began training in Zen under the late Tenshin Tanouye Roshi in 1979 at one of the first Zen retreats held at Toyoda Shihan's Evanston, Illinois dojo. He later trained under Dogen Hosokawa Roshi, abbot of Daihonzan Chozen-ji in Honolulu, Hawaii, and was ordained a Zen Buddhist priest in 1993. He has received inka shomei (recognition as a lineage holder) in the Rinzai dharma line, and serves as abbot of Daiyuzenji, a Zen temple co-located with Shinjinkai.
John Mazza
John Mazza Sensei has studied various martial arts for over 35 years. He began his training in Korea in 1964 studying Judo; this experience led to a deepening interest in Asian philosophies and meditation, which he began to study intensively upon returning to the United States. Realizing that his personal life path involved a disciplined practice of the martial Way, he immersed himself in the practice of various arts from that time forward.
Following his experience of Judo, Mr. Mazza intensively studied various styles of karate and Chinese martial arts. Feeling that there was still something lacking in his training, he began to explore Aikido. In August, 1977 he met the late Fumio Toyoda Shihan, and realized immediately that he had found the art and teacher he wished to follow; by September of 1977 he had relocated to Chicago, where he began an intensive study of both Aikido and Zen.
Mazza Sensei has served as President of Aikido International Foundation, a member of the Aikido Association of American national teaching committee, and as a Director of Aikido Association of America and Aikido Association International. He has been the instructor of the Northwestern University Aikido Club for many years since its founding by Toyoda Sensei in 1974. Today he continues this activity with Shinjinkai, holding the rank of godan in Aikido.
Brian Pettet
Brian Pettett heads the Chicago Mugai-ryu study group at Shinjinkai by direction of the soke (headmaster) of Meishi-ha Mugai-ryu Iaihyodo, Niina Toyoaki Sensei. Mr. Pettett has trained in Mugai-ryu since 2003 and holds the rank of godan within the Meishi-ha lineage. He also holds shodan ranking in the Zen Nihon Batto Do Renmei, directed by Hataya Mitsuo Sensei.
In 2010, Mr. Pettett was granted okuiri-sho, which is a traditional license to practice the inner, advanced-level techniques of Mugai-ryu. He is one of Niina-gosoke's four jikimon-deshi (direct students) in the United States. He travels to Japan on a regular basis for advanced-level training, and assists at seminars and other related events throughout the United States.
3717 N Ravenswood, #113 » Chicago, IL 60613 » 773.425.9911 » info@shinjinkai.org
Click to Email Us
or make an
appointment to visit
