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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 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 Sensei 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); in 1991 he was
appointed instructor of the original Shinjinkan Dojo, founded by Toyoda Sensei.
During his career as a professional Aikido instructor, Mr. Moore served as General Manager and later Director of the Aikido Association of America and Aikido Association International. Beginning in 1990, he 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 Japan, England, Poland, Latvia, Greece, and Bulgaria. In both private and agency-sponsored trainings he 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 primary Shihandai (master's assistant), the highest instructional title awarded by that teacher. In 1999, he designated Mr. Moore and another former uchideshi as the two inheritors of his unique methodology of Aikido training and instruction, with responsibility for carrying and transmitting those teachings. To fulfill that responsibility, Moore Sensei founded Shinjinkai in 2001.
Ordained a Zen Buddhist priest in 2003, he continues to practice Aikido and other martial arts. He has received dharma transmission (inka shomei) in the Rinzai line of Zen, and serves as a priest with Daiyuzenji temple and with the Korinji Foundation.
So'zan Miller, Director
So'zan 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.
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 dharma transmission (inka shomei) in the Rinzai line of Zen, and serves as abbot of Daiyuzenji, the Zen temple co-located with Shinjinkai.
John Mazza, Director
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.
Enmei Hunter, Director
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.
Additional Instructors and Assistants at Shinjinkai H.Q. in Chicago
Aikido
Yudansha
Glenn Patterson, sandan
Jim Tabor, nidan
George Martinez, nidan
Dimitrina Dimitrova, nidan
Michael Cevasco, nidan
Michael Malitsky, shodan
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
Shugyosei or Uchideshi Program - 2008
Rich Bryant
Regina Keane
Jason Murray
Sergey Petrov
Chris Wagner
Matt Wever
Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo and Battodo
Yudansha
Brian Pettett, sandan (Chicago Mugairyu study group leader)
Tom Lykins, nidan
Dan Weber, shodan
Farid Sheikh, shodan
Lawrence Smith, shodan
Tim Patrick, shodan
