Training at Seagal Shihan’s training area LA California.

Aikido

Salvatore Forestieri Shidoin

 Chief  Instructor & Founder

Our Chief Instructor, Salvatore Forestieri  had an interest in the Martial Arts since the early 70’s. Salvatore was introduced to Aikido  in Chicago in 1972 when he met Japanese Aikido Shihan Akira Tohei. From that point on, Salvatore was drawn to Aikido.   In February of 1994 Salvatore started practicing Aikido under Fumio Toyoda Shihan,  with while continuing an identical martial art of Hapkido under Sung YI.  Unfortunately, after Fumio Toyoda Shihan passed, Salvatore continued his Aikido training and studies at a local dojo, and then eventually some of Seagal Sensei’s prior students, from the earlier years.   Later, Salvatore was  accepted as a direct student of  Steven Seagal Shihan. Salvatore was an understudy of  Seagal Shihan for nearly a decade, and assisted  Steven Seagal Shihan’s security team in Eastern Europe, during the filming of  “After The Dark”. Salvatore was one of Seagal Shihans personal Team members and stayed by his side for personal  protection.    Salvatore continues to follow the teachings of Seagal Sensei, practices and teaches with legitimacy he achieved from being a direct student of Steven Seagal Shihan for nearly a decade. 

Salvatore has also trained with many High level Senseis’ and  Shihans’ internationally. Including training  at Hombu Dojo Aikikai, Tokyo Japan  numerous times in the current Doshu’s class and many other well known Aikikai Japanese Masters. Salvatore has trained at  several  dojo throughout Japan as well. Salvatore believes his knowledge of Aikido would not be the same if had never traveled and trained in the birth place of Aikido. 

Salvatore has also had the privilege to train Police, Military ,Self Defence Instructors, and Secret Service Agents etc. As mentioned prior, Salvatore  has also assisted with Personal Protection for Steven Seagal Shihan in Bucharest Romania, during the filming of  “After The Dark”.    Salvatore currently holds the rank of 5th Degree Black Belt, Godan conferred by the current Doshu “Moriteru Ueshiba” from the  Aikikai Foundation, Tokyo Japan. Salvatore also practiced in Hapkido for many years before and along side of his Aikido training in the earlier years. The Hapkido style he practiced was a mirror image to Aikido. Salvatore hold a Yondan in Traditional Hapkido.

Salvatore is also ranked a 5th Dan in Ryu Sei Ken jitsu directly from Mitsuhiro Saruta Soke, from the Saruta Samaria lineage.

Additionally, Salvatore has three other Dan rankings in Martial Arts known as Aikido-Dai Nippon buto ku kai and the Combat Hapkido Federation.

To see  Salvatore’s lineage in Aikido, Please review our Aikido pics for more information on Salvatore Forestieri  https://www.shinjitsudojo.org/dojo-gallery/aikido-photos/   

Assistant Instructors! 

Stanley A.  Archacki III

Stanley Archacki is an Assistant Instructor and has been training in Aikido at Tenshin Shinjitsu Dojo for about 15 Years. Stanley also trains in Arnis. Stanley holds Aikido rank of Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt Aikido, and Shodan 1st Degree RyuSeiKen). 

Andrew Wichman is an Assistant Instructor training at Tenshin Shinjitsu Dojo for 10 years.    Nidan (2ndDegree Black Belt)

Kenjutsu

Chief Instructor Salvatore has trained with Kenjitsu Master Mitsuhiro Saruta Soke, and several of his senior students in Japan. Salvatore also trained  with Japanese Action Star Lee Murayama from the movie “The Last Samurai”.  Salvatore holds the rank of Godan  5th Degree Black Belt,from the International Batto-Do Shizan Association, Osaka Japan, directly from Mitsuhiro Saruta Soke. Salvatore  has competed in Osaka, International Division senior ranking, and trained in Japan numerous times.   He was honored and  received high recognition in Japanese scroll menkyu type form  from Mitsuhiro Saruta Soke. Salvatore only follows the  Sword teachings of Soke Mitsuhiro  Saruta Sword Master.

Andrew Wichman 

Sandan 3 Degree Black Belt in Ryu Sei Kenjutsu. Andrew has been training for years and enjoys teaching and assisting others in class. Andrew was Titled Grand Champion of the 2017 Batto Do Event Tucson Arizona with Mitsuhiro Saruta Soke present for the Event. 

Aikido  Black Belts are ranked through the Aikikai Foundation for Aikido, and Kenjutsu Black Belts are  ranked through the International Batto-do Association Osaka Japan.  This ensures quality of one’s training outside their instructors perspective and is recognized internationally.

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