Dwight

Chicago Aikikai has received word of the passing of Charles Tseng, Founder and Chief Instructor of Lake County Aikikai.

Tseng Sensei’s aikido career is deeply intertwined with the history of Illinois Aikido Club (as Chicago Aikikai was originally known). He joined Illinois Aikido Club in 1970 after seeing a demonstration the dojo gave at the Midwest Buddhist Temple‘s annual Ginza Holiday Festival under the guidance of Isao Takahashi Sensei.

In January 1972 ,Tseng Sensei visited Hombu Dojo (World Aikido Headquarters) in Tokyo, where he met Akira Tohei Sensei, who was then invited to instruct at the Illinois Aikido Club in April of that year.

In September 1975, while still training at Illinois Aikido Club, Tseng Sensei started a new dojo (eventually Lake County Aikikai) at the Lake County YMCA in Mundelein. Then in December, he traveled with 10 Illinois Aikido Club members to an aikido winter training camp in Sarasota, Florida, where they met Mitsugi Saotome Shihan for the very first time.

In January 1977, the Lake County Aikikai moved to the campus of the College of Lake County, and its classes became part of the college curriculum.

Tseng Sensei was a long-time friend and supporter of Chicago Aikikai. He often hosted Saotome Sensei when he visited Chicago, and would attend seminars at Chicago Aikikai together with his students. A clock gifted to Chicago Aikikai by Tseng Sensei and Lake County Aikikai hangs on the wall at the top of the entrance stairs.

Our condolences to Tseng Sensei’s family and students.

There was a great turnout at the 2024 Midwest Aikido Bridge seminar, sponsored by Aikido Shimbokukai and held at Milwaukee Shobukan. There were reportedly 70+ persons training: a great number for the post-pandemic era. Chicago Aikikai had a number of current and former members present, including Qin Zheng Coe who taught one of the Saturday afternoon classes.

Devin Porter, Ed Reiff, Dwight Sora, Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, Andrew Vitale, Alexander Hindley, Qin Coe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left to right: Qin Coe teaching her Saturday class with Kay Barnes. Andrew Vitale taking ukemi for Lee Crawford Sensei. Dwight Sora taking ukemi for Ikeda Shihan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left to right: Qin Coe working with  Joe Guerrier. Ed Reiff and Ikeda Shihan. Surprise visit by Yuki Hara (veteran member of Chicago Aikikai)

 

Saturday afternoon group photo

 

 

 

Congratulations to everyone who took their kyu tests at our March Third Friday class!

Philip Bell (6th), Christian Boswell (5th), Marsha Turner (Chief Instructor), and Allie Dignan (6th)

Students who tested together with instructors, seniors and supporters

This week marks the 87^th birthday of Mitsugi Saotome (born March 7, 1937), direct student of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba, Shihan (Master instructor), and founder of Chicago Aikikai’s parent organization, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU).

 

Best wishes and good health to Saotome Sensei!

お誕生日おめでとうございます！

 

(Japanese language tip for newcomers: Shihan is the proper title to use when listing or describing an instructor recognized as having high standing, while Sensei is the polite word to use when addressing or mentioning them in spoken language).