Chushinkan Dojo

James Nakayama with Moriteru Ueshiba, grandson of the founder of Aikido, after promotion ceremonies in Tokyo, Japan, January 2017

Dojo History

The dojo (martial arts school) was founded in 1990 by James Moritaka Nakayama. It is affiliated with the Aikido Association of America (AAA). 

Nakayama Sensei started his aikido training in 1973 at Orange County Aiki Kai (OCAK) under Harry Ishisaka Sensei, He began teaching aikido classes at OCAK in 1983, and in 1986 became the Assistant Chief Instructor under Friesen Sensei. He was promoted to 4th degree black belt (yondan) in 1989, and left OCAK the following year in June of 1990 to start Chushinkan Dojo. In 1991, Chushinkan Dojo affiliated with the Aikido Association of America.

Nakayama Sensei was a member of the Aikido Association of America National Teaching Committee (1993 to 2016), and the Aikido Association International Teaching Committee (1996 to 2008) conducting aikido seminars nationally and internationally. In 1997, he was awarded the title of Shihandai, assistant to Toyoda Shihan. In that same year, he became the AAA Western Regional Director and head of its Black Belt Association. He held the position of Regional Director until 2011, when he became AAA Western Region Shibucho, branch leader for the Western States in charge of the Regional Test Committee. Nakayama Sensei currently holds the rank of 7th degree black belt (nanadan).

James Nakayama and Fumio Toyoda, founder of the Aikido Association of America