Keizan Murray Sensei
Dojo-cho, Mushinkan Kokyo
Keizan Murray began his martial arts journey at age six, diving into Ying Jow Pai before exploring the rooted strikes of Xingyi Quan, the spirals of Bagua Zhang, and the close-quarters precision of Wing Chun. Along the way, he cultivated a deep appreciation for Taoist and Zen philosophy—less about flying fists, more about finding center.
In 1997, while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and stationed in Japan, Keizan encountered Aikido. The art left its mark. He continued training through the early development of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and deepened his practice during his time overseas.
After returning to Chicago in 2005, he studied under Meido Moore Shihan, whose teachings—shaped by the legacy of Fumio Toyoda Shihan—helped Keizan blend Aikido, Iaido, and internal cultivation into a unified path of discipline and growth.
In 2022, he founded Mushinkan Kokyo: not just a dojo, but a space for personal transformation through traditional Japanese martial arts. Keizan holds the rank of yondan (4th degree) in Aikido and shodan (1st degree) in Meishi-ha Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo—and remains a devoted student of the path, on and off the mat.
Keizan Murray
Director, Dojo-Cho,
Mushinkan Kokyo
Brian Pettett, Chief Instructor of Iaido, has spearheaded the Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo program since 2005. Under the guidance of Niina Toyoaki-sensei, the headmaster of Meishi-ha Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo, and Tony Alvarez-sensei, leader of the United States Federation of Mugai Ryu, he has flourished. Holding the prestigious rank of nanadan (7th degree) within the Meishi-ha lineage, Brian is one of Niina-gosoke's four jikimon-deshi (direct students) in the United States.
He has been granted okuiri-sho, a traditional license enabling the practice of Mugai Ryu's inner, advanced-level techniques. In recognition of his expertise, he was awarded the title of renshi, signifying his formal instructor's license in 2013.