People

James Bator Sensei (Aikido and Iaido)

James Bator is an instructor at Aikido Shimboku Dojo and holds the rank of 3rd dan in Aikido. He has trained for over 10 years. He also trains in the art of Iaido and assists with instruction. He also has has previous experience in Tai Chi.

Naoko Daniel Sensei (Japanese Language)

Naoko Daniel was born in Hiroshima, Japan. An experienced teacher, while still living in Japan, she taught both Japanese and English to adults and children. Daniel Sensei spent two years living in London before relocating to the U.S. in 1996. She has taught Japanese at Charter School in Houston, Texas and at Governor’s State University in University Park, Illinois. She has lived with her family in Crystal Lake since 2003.

Meido Moore Roshi (Zen Meditation)

Meido Moore Roshi began Buddhist practice in 1988, training in India and Nepal. In 1990 he began six years' residence as apprentice (uchideshi) to the lay Zen and martial art master Tenzan Toyoda Rokoji, also at that time becoming a student of Dogen Hosokawa Roshi, a dharma successor of Omori Sogen Roshi and then abbot of Daihonzan Chozenji in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was ordained in 2003. He later continued to train under one of Hosokawa Roshi's dharma heirs, So'zan Miller Roshi of Daiyuzenji. He received inka shomei (recognition as a Dharma successor of Rinzai Zen) in 2008.

In 2005 Moore Roshi founded the Korinji Foundation. Aside from working to develop Korinji, he is active with Daiyuzenji temple in Chicago, and is the teacher for the Northwestern and DePaul University Zen Societies. Before his ordination, he was a professional Budo (martial Ways) teacher; he founded Shinjinkai, The Japanese Martial Arts Society, in 2002, and has directed several international and not-for-profit organizations promoting Japanese cultural arts.

Hekiun Oda Sensei (Shodo)

Hekiun Oda Sensei was born in Kobe City, Japan. He began studying  Shodo (traditional Japanese calligraphy) at the age of 5, as a direct student of Goun Katsura Sensei, head of the Shojikai organization in Japan. With over 25 years experience in Shodo, he established the Oda Japanese Calligraphy School in 2009. Oda Sensei belongs to two major Shodo organizations in Japan. He has been awarded the credential of Junshihan (Junior Master Instructor) from the Shojinkan and Shihan (Master Instructor) from the Nihon Shuji. 

Akiko Soki Sato Sensei (Chanoyu)

Akiko Soki Sato has studied Chanoyu for more than 25 years in Japan and United States.   She began Chanoyu under the Urasenke Tradition of Tea while in university in Japan. After moving to the United States, she resumed her tea study at the Urasenke Foundation in San Francisco and began to teach introductory and intermediate classes. She also participated in presenting Chanoyu at public events at the Asia Art Museum in San Francisco, high schools, universities, local broadcasting events, and The Way of Tea school program at the San Francisco Foundation. She moved to the Chicago area in 2006 and became a member of the Urasenke Chicago Association. She is currently teaching introductory, intermediate, and advanced Chanoyu in Lincolnshire, and demonstrating Chanoyu at schools, corporations, and programs open to the public. Her tea name is “Soki”. She is a certified 1st Degree Instructor (Junkyoju) and is a certified instructor of The Way of Tea school program from the Urasenke Tradition of Tea, Kyoto, Japan.

Michelle Tate Sensei (Aikido and Iaido)

Michelle Tate is an instructor at Aikido Shimboku Dojo and holds the rank of 3rd dan in Aikido. She has trained for over 10 years. She also trains in the art of Iaido and assists with instruction. In addition to her work with the Institute and Aikido Shimboku Dojo she is also a licensed acupuncturist and co-owner of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine of McHenry. She is the secretary and treasurer of the Institute.

Lisa Tomoleoni Sensei (Aikido and Iaido)

Lisa Tomoleoni is chief instructor of Aikido Shimboku Dojo and holds the rank of 5th dan in Aikido, received directly from Moriteru Ueshiba, Aikido Doshu. She spent 13 years in Japan training at the Aikido World Headquarters and teaching Aikido professionally at a dojo in Tokyo. She also has yudansha ranking in Judo and Iaido 3rd dan, and is a member of the Kenshukan Dojo in Tokyo. In addition to her work with the Institute and Aikido Shimboku Dojo she is also a licensed acupuncturist and co-owner of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine of McHenry. She is the executive director of the Institute.