Fumio Toyoda, Aikido Shihan, was born in Japan on November 8, 1947.
The Toyoda name is an old one, ultimately traced back as a branch of the Fujiwara clan, one of the ancient noble families that vied for control during the early civil wars in Japan.
Aikido, and the life of shugyo or intensive training, was what truly mattered to him. Making the decision to pursue Aikido professionally, he enrolled as uchideshi (live-in disciple) at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo.
By this time O-Sensei had died. Toyoda Shihan therefore became the first uchideshi directly under the new Doshu, Kisshomaru Ueshiba.
Now at age 22, he was ranked sandan and was assisting with instruction at several locations. At this time, the current Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba, was beginning his training. At age 24, Toyoda Shihan was awarded with the rank of yondan.
He travelled often as otomo (attendant and demonstration assistant) for Kisshomaru Ueshiba, and had contact with many other prominent teachers such as Saito Sensei and Yasuo Kobayashi Sensei.
The dramatic split that shook the Aikido world occurred at this time, when Koichi Tohei, then the Chief Instructor at Aikikai Hombu Dojo, left the Aikikai to develop his own Ki no Kenkyukai (Ki Society) organization. Toyoda Shihan followed his obligation to his original teacher, and sided with Tohei Sensei. Eventually, he was given the position of Chief Instructor of Aikido technique for the Ki Society. He also was the author of the bylaws for that organization. In 1974, at Tohei Sensei’s direction, he settled in Chicago to begin spreading Aikido in the United States. He was 27 years old, and now held the rank of godan.
Through tireless work, Aikido began to spread and develop. Travelling nearly every weekend for many years to teach and organize across the United States, Toyoda Shihan – now ranked rokudan and independent from the organization of Koichi Tohei Sensei – founded his own organization in 1984: the Aikido Association of America.
Along with these travels, Toyoda Shihan worked to develop AAA’s headquarters in Chicago. It was there that the first of the National Instructor’s Seminars was held; AAA was the first organization to offer such training, “teaching how to teach” rather than simply practicing. It is this recognition – that teaching requires a unique and advanced set of skills not necessarily imparted through general practice alone – that has been at the core of Toyoda Shihan’s work.
Responding to the request for quality Aikido instruction from many other nations, Toyoda Shihan founded a sister organization of AAA, Aikido Association International (AAI). AAI currently oversees instructional programs in 11 other nations – including new branches in Japan itself.
A third organization, Aikido International Foundation (AIF), was founded as well. A federally tax-exempt, not-for-profit educational and charitable organization, AIF provides economic and other assistance to Aikido practitioners in many nations.
As we enter the new millennium, Toyoda Shihan continues to build upon and stress what have become the hallmarks of his instruction: powerful, effective technique, clear instructional methodology, the importance of instructor certification and training, and the spirit of Budo which must inspire and motivate all of our activities. Celebrating his 25th year teaching Aikido in America, he sees the coming decades as filled with promise and hope for the continued growth of Aikido in America and in the world. And, he is determined that we will be at the centre of this growth. Supporting and respecting the art’s origins in Japan, while at the same time creating our own expression and strong art here where we stand, AAA and AAI proudly move forward under the leadership of the man whose dream created them, and has driven them so successfully.
Unfortunately, Toyoda Shihan since the summer of 2001 is not any longer with us.
He's dream and work are deeply rooted in AAA and AAI and we are all working united to achieve he's aims.
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