Born in May 1918 in Southern Japan, Kagoshima District, Sensei Nakazono began his studies by practicing kendo at the age of 6, judo at 12, and karate at 19. Later he studied many other forms of martial arts; then fully immersed himself in the art of aikido, learning directly from O Sensei Ueshiba, its founder.

Following his mother's inclination, Sensei Nakazono began his formal studies of acupuncture in 1934 at age 16. He was a student of George Ohsawa, the founder of macrobiotics, and Sakai Sensei, who taught the spirit of finite form, Jizo Bosatsu.

He was re-introduced to the Kototama Principle by Sensei Ogasawara, and revised every aspect of his life and work with this profound viewpoint. In 1972 he moved to Santa Fe, where he established the Kototama Institute. He inspired the passage of the New Mexico Acupuncture Act in 1973.

Sensei Nakazono taught the Kototama Principle in Santa Fe and throughout the world. He devoted his life to handing it over to all of humanity. He passed over on October 8, 1994.