Born Daniel Furuya on April 25, 1948, in Pasadena, Rev. Kensho Furuya passed away on March 6, 2007 at the age of 58. Furuya Sensei was a renowned teacher of Aikido and Iaido, having begun his martial arts training at the age of eight and achieving the ranks of 6th dan in Aikido and 6th dan Kyoshi in Iaido. He studied under such notable instructors as 2nd Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Mitsunari Kanai, Torao Mori, Yoshinobu Takiguchi, and Trogawa Rinpoche. In over 40 years of teaching, he taught thousands of students and built the Aikido Center of Los Angeles, which now has a dozen branches throughout the world.

In addition to being a great martial artist, Furuya Sensei was also a noted scholar. He received his degrees in Asian Studies from the University of Southern California and Harvard University. He regularly published articles on martial arts and wrote Kodo: Ancient Ways, one of the most comprehensive and well-read books on martial arts philosophy.

Furuya Sensei studied under and was ordained as a Zen priest by the late Bishop Kenko Yamashita. He and the Bishop were both invited to speak at the United Nations in New York.

Furuya Sensei was also actively involved in the community. He served on the board of the Japanese Sword Society of the United States and as President of the Southern California Japanese Sword Society. He was also President of the Southern California Yamanashi Prefectural Association and was elected to the advisory board of the Da Camera Society of Mount St. Mary's College. He was a member of the Los Angeles Police Dept. Civilian Martial Arts Advisory Board and a board member of the Greater Little Tokyo Anti Crime Association.

He is survived by his family and students. His funeral will be held on March 17 at Zenshuji Temple in Little Tokyo at 7:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family and his students request that a donation be made to the dojo instead.