Fumio Toyoda

Fumio Toyoda (November 8, 1947 – July 4, 2001) was a Japanese aikido teacher[1] and lay Zen master who taught extensively in the United States and Europe.

In 1984, with the assistance of Jon Takagi, Toyoda founded his own Chicago-based organization, the Aikido Association of America.

In 1997, Toyoda was given inka shomei, the certification of completion of his training in Rinzai Zen, by the late Tenshin Tanouye Roshi of Chozen-ji temple in Honolulu, Hawaii; the dharma name awarded was "Tenzan Gensei".

He also founded the Japanese Culture Center (located in one of Chicago's central neighborhoods), where students learn an array of martial arts, including Aikido, Kendo, Shuri-Ryu karate, as well as take classes in Zen and meditation / internal training.

AAA and AAI continue to be active today, as affiliates of Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Japan under the guidance of Yasuo Kobayashi.

Tenzan (Fumio) Toyoda, taken at Chozen-ji temple, Hawaii

Calligraphy by Fumio Toyoda: *Ikkyoku shūchū, Takyoku bunsan* ("Concentrate on a single point, spread out to many points"). This phrase was a personal motto.