Shoji Nishio

Shoji Nishio (西尾 昭二, Nishio Shōji; December 5, 1927 – March 15, 2005) was a Japanese aikido practitioner and innovator. He held the rank of 8th dan shihan from the Aikikai. He also achieved high ranking honors in iaido, judo, karate.

Nishio developed his style based on his understanding of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba's teaching and experience with other martial arts. The uniqueness of his style is the integration of the sword principles and atemi mechanics into aikido techniques. His contributions to martial art includes the creation of a new school of iaido, the introduction of aikido koshinage and different mechanical interpretations of classical budo concepts. Some emphases of his aikido style include the importance of acknowledgement of opposition, weapon techniques, atemi, and natural stance. Nishio played a significant part in the art's international expansion through his teachings, publications, and the propagation of his style. It is taught in 19 countries in Europe, America, Asia, South East Asia and Australia. He was honored by the Japanese Budo Federation with the Budo Kyoryusho award in 2003 for his contribution to aikido's development and global reach.