Dwight

Chicago Aikikai member and instructor Qin Zheng Coe (2nd dan) will be one of the supporting instructors at this year’s Midwest Bridge Seminar sponsored by Aikido Shimbokukai and held at Milwaukee Shobukan on March 22-24. Information and registration may be found here on the Shimbokukai website or on the Facebook event page.

 

 

On February 27, the FX Network will debut a new 10-part miniseries based on James Clavell’s 1975 novel Shogun, a historical drama loosely based on the adventures of English navigator William Adams. Adams journeyed to Japan in 1600 and rose to high rank in the service of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who from 1603–1605 held the title of shogun (the military warlords who actually ruled Japan in the Emperor’s name). It follows a successful and critically acclaimed earlier version that aired on NBC in 1980.

Of interest to students of aikido, other than the fight scenes and presence of martial arts star and dramatic lead Hiroyuki Sanada (Twilight Samurai, The Last Samurai, John Wick: Chapter 4), is the original novel and mini-series debuted during a time when aikido was on its ascendency in America. This was tied to the emergence of postwar Japan as a major world player in manufacturing and business, which spurned widespread interest in Japanese culture. Japanese food, fine arts and martial arts went from fringe interests found in ethnic enclaves or only catering to high-end connoisseurs to having a high degree of mainstream visibility (if not always popularity).

The new miniseries debuts at a quite different time. Many of its cultural and historical trappings will not feel as exotic to younger viewers long exposed through popular anime, manga and video games. Japanese martial arts are also now seen as one of many, competing with both arts from other countries and the rise of MMA.

Though it might not provide exact insights, watching and comparing the two versions of Shogun and considering their different approaches may provide an interesting glimpse in the shifting nature of the appeal of Japanese arts and traditions (including aikido) here in the U.S.

Shogun 1980 trailer

Shogun 2024 trailer

 

         

Chicago Aikikai will host a seminar with George Ledyard (7th Dan, Aikido Eastside) and Chuck Weber (7th Dan, Baltimore Aikido) on September 13-15, 2024.

This seminar is part of Aikido School of Ueshiba (ASU)‘s ongoing series featuring notable instructors holding the rank of nanadan (7th dan / 7th degree black belt) under the banner of “Bringing Saotome Sensei’s Legacy Forward”.

Both Ledyard Sensei and Weber Sensei have a long history as students of Saotome Sensei, and are notable instructors in their own right. We greatly look forward to hosting them.

Cost will be $200 for the seminar. Other details TBD.

 

Participants in Kagami Biraki class on January 19, 2024.

 

Chicago Aikikai hosted its Kagami Biraki event the evening of Friday, January 19. Class was conducted with rotating instructors, starting with Chief Instructor and Dojo-cho Marsha Turner (6th dan), and followed by Andrew Vitale (4th dan), Dwight Sora (3rd dan), Qin Coe (2nd dan), Patrick Miller (1st dan) and Rob Brose (1st dan). Video clips may be viewed on a playlist on the dojo’s YouTube channel.

The party was followed by a potluck dinner and get-together.

Today is Martin Luther King (MLK) Day, and in light of the great Civil Rights leader’s advocacy of nonviolence, Chicago Aikikai would like to invite everyone to an onsite workshop on applying aikido’s principles of nonaggression and transformational engagement to everyday conflicts in the workplace and other interpersonal relationships.

In the “Transforming Conflict into Possibility” workshop, Chicago Aikikai instructor and professional coach Qin Coe will guide participants in simple, fun and gentle Aikido-inspired exercises to experience a more grounded, calm and composed way of being under pressure. This will ideally result in your ability to harmoniously resolve conflicts to everyone’s mutual benefit.

What do you do during conflicts? . . . It’s human to get frustrated, upset, angry, defensive, afraid, or experience other emotions. Fight, flight, freeze instincts are our evolutionary adaptations to changes…we always have a choice on how we actually respond to perceived threats. – Qin

Transforming Conflict into Possibility

with Qin Coe
Date: Sunday, February 25th, 2024
Time: 1:30 – 4:30 pm Central time
Duration: 3 Hours
Where: Chicago Aikikai
Fee: $40
Click here to register (space limited to 20).
Help us promote the workshop. Please like or forward our Facebook event page to someone you think may benefit. If you have any questions you would like to ask about the workshop on Qin Coe’s work, please e-mail qzaiki at gmail.

 

 

Classes at the Chicago Aikikai scheduled for Tuesday, January 16 (morning and evening) and Wednesday, January 17 (morning) are CANCELLED due to the freezing conditions in and around Chicago.

We look forward to seeing you back in class on Thursday, January 18 and on Friday, January 19 for our January Third Friday class and 2024 Kagami Biraki celebration.

Please keep an eye on your email for updates on classes, given the variability of weather conditions in Chicago. In addition, updates will be posted on the dojo website.

Stay safe in the freezing conditions, everyone!

 

Marsha Turner Sensei

Chief Instructor, Dojo-cho

Chicago Aikikai