Nishikaze Board of Directors

Nishikaze Aikido Society of America
Official Organization of Aikido In The Nishio Tradition

Philip GreenwoodPhilip Greenwood
President

Philip Greenwood holds the rank of 6th dan in Aikido and 5th dan in Nishio-ryu Toho Iaido and has trained in Aikido for over 40 years. He began at the Pasadena Aikikai which was founded by Tadaharu Wakabayashi. Pasadena Aikikai hosted many teachers including Kisshomaru and Moriteru Ueshiba (current Doshu), Mitsunari Kanai, Yoshimitsu Yamada, Kazuo Chiba and many others. Greenwood Sensei was a primary instructor at Pasadena Aikikai Dojo throughout the 1980’s until moving to Temecula in 1990 when he began training under Hiroshi Ikeda. Greenwood Sensei also became a private student of Ryū-te (Karate) under Robert Bryner Sensei. In 2000, inspired by both Bryner Sensei and Nishio Sensei, Greenwood Sensei became a devoted student of Nishio Sensei and, after Nishio’s passing, his successor Koji Yoshida Shihan. Greenwood Sensei was appointed as President of Nishikaze Aikido Society of America by Koji Yoshida Shihan. He is also a Chiropractic Doctor practicing for 27 years.

Michele Benzamin-MikiMichele Benzamin-Miki
Vice President

Michele Benzamin-Miki holds the rank of 6th dan in Aikido and 5th dan in Nishio-ryu Toho Iaido. She is also a member of The Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA), The National Women’s Martial Arts Federation (NWMAF),and The Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors (AWMAI) and periodically teaches at their training camps held on both the West and East Coasts. She is also a member of Jujitsu America (JA).

Chikako Higa BrynerChikako Higa Bryner
Secretary

Chikako Bryner has been training in Aikido for over 30 years and holds the rank of 6th dan. She also holds 5th dan in Nishio-ryu Toho Iaido and 4th dan in Ryu Te®. She has been instrumental in hosting numerous events with Nishio Sensei and Yoshida Sensei in the U.S. over the years as well as serving as translator. Bryner Sensei is the Chief Instructor at The Dojo (Shotakekan) in Santa Monica, CA.

 

Board

Michele Benzamin-Miki; Koji Yoshida Shihan; Philip Greenwood; Chikako Bryner