Toyoda Shigeharu, Soke (Head Master)
President of Nippon Meirinkai® (2nd.)
Headmaster of Toyoda Ryu Kenshibudo (2nd.)
The 17th. Seito Soke of Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido®
Toyoda Shigeharu Soke started Iaido and Kenshibu training at the age of 11 years under his father, the 16th Toyoda Seito Soke. He also studied Kendo in junior high school and high school. He recieved the rank of Shodan in Kendo at the age of 22, Shihan rank in Kenshibudo and 5th dan in Iaido at 28. He has been a member of the Meirin committee. He succeeded his father to become the 17th Toyoda Seito Soke in 2009.
Michael Kazmer Sensei, Yon-Dan (4th Deg. Black)
He recieved this rank on May 9th, 2009, having trained under Nakajima Sensei and tested under 17th Toyoda Seito Soke, Nakajima Sensei, Sasayama Sensei, Kawana Sensei, and Dowdy Sensei in Himeji, Japan. Kazmer Sensei is the highest ranked active member in the United States.
He began his martial arts training in 1973 with Shotokan Karate then studied Yoshinkai Aikido in the Detroit area. In 1977 he traveled to Japan to be an Udeshi to Gozo Shioda Soke. In 1985 he began training in Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido® under The 16th Toyoda Osamu Seito Soke. Kazmer Sensei is the head instructor of Araki Mujinsai Ryu Iaido® in California and is currently teaching out of the Yamakage Dojo in Lancaster, CA.