PEOPLE
3717 N Ravenswood, #113 » Chicago, IL 60613 » 773.472.3290 » info@shinjinkai.org
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 dojo 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, Shinjinkai Director
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, founded by Toyoda Sensei.
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. Since 1991 he has instructed several hundred training seminars and 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, 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.
Toyoda Sensei eventually named Moore as his first Shihandai (master's assistant), the highest instructional title awarded by that teacher. In 1999, he designated Mr. 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. He holds the rank of godan in Aikido, and has additionally been certified as an Aikido instructor (Shidoin) by T.K. Chiba Shihan.
In 2003 he was ordained in the Zen Buddhist tradition, leaving behind Aikido as his primary vocation. He continues to direct Shinjinkai, however, teaching Aikido daily at our headquarters and at seminars internationally, as well as studying classical Japanese martial arts. He has received inka shomei (recognition as a lineage holder of Rinzai Zen) and founded the Korinji Foundation (www.korinji.org) in 2005.
Enmei Hunter
Enmei Hunter Sensei began Aikido training in 1995 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.
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. She continues to train in Aikido and other traditional martial arts as well as Zen. Enmei holds the rank of sandan in Aikido.
So'zan Miller
So'zan (formerly 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 Dharma successor of Rinzai Zen). So'zan Roshi serves as abbot of Daiyuzenji, the 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.
Additional Instructors and Assistants at Shinjinkai H.Q. in Chicago
Aikido
Yudansha
Glenn Patterson, yondan
Jim Tabor, nidan
Dimitrina Dimitrova, nidan
Karen Kalliel, nidan
Michael Cevasco, nidan
Michael Malitsky, nidan
Nick Kolick, shodan
Andrew Anderson, shodan
Greg Dekker, shodan
William Light, shodan
Matt Little, shodan
Keith Lambert, shodan
Ken Chon, shodan
Rebecca Barfield, shodan
Sergey Petrov, shodan
Jason Buttz, shodan
Rich Bryant, shodan
Chris Wagner, shodan
Matt Wever, shodan
Alex Filonenko, shodan
Kalina Blagoeva, shodan
Matt Lowry, shodan
Shugyosei Program: Current Participants
Sergey Petrov
Kam Wa Tang
J.C. Epong
Victoria Pitt
Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo
Yudansha
Brian Pettett, godan (Chicago Mugai Ryu study group leader)
Tom Lykins, yondan
Dan Weber, sandan
Farid Sheikh, sandan
Lawrence Smith, nidan
Tim Patrick, shodan
Jon Lowe, shodan
Scott Muller, shodan
© 2005 Shinjinkai. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.
Click to Download
our Chicago Area
Class Schedules
and Fee Info.
Click to Email Us
or make an
appointment to visit
