Diane Zingale, 5th Dan
Diane started studying Aikido in 1977 at Kanai-sensei's dojo in Boston. Just after receiving SHODAN in Boston, she moved to Tokyo in 1984 and was a resident of Japan for 17 years until 2001. She received 2nd DAN at Hombu and studied 2 years there and at Yamaguchi-sensei's private dojos in Shibuya and Ochanomizu where she met Sekiya-sensei. As Sekiya-sensei's apprentice over 11 years, she studied Katori Shinto Ryu style of sword, stick and naginata at Sugino dojo in Kawasaki, assisted in seminars in USA with Sekiya-sensei, and studyed Aikido and Kashima Shin Ryu sword at the SHISEIKAN dojo of Meiji Shrine for 14 years under Inaba-sensei, who awarded her 3rd, 4th, and 5th DAN rank.
She has been returning to Japan about twice a year since ending residence to continue training under Inaba-sensei at SHISEIKAN, the Meiji Shrine dojo.