Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

Dwight

Thank you, Ikeda Sensei

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Chicago Aikikai enjoyed its final seminar with Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan (8th dan, Boulder Aikikai) at its current location at 1444 W. Chicago Avenue, September 12-14. New and old faces included guests from Inaka Dojo, Aikido of Western Illinois, Lake County Aikikai, Greater Detroit Budojuku, Milwaukee Shobukan, Aikido Club of Nile, Abiding Spirit Aikikai and Aikido of Wales.

Former Chicago Aikikai member Takashi Kozawa provided some video clips taken the Sunday of the seminar. For the last day, Ikeda Sensei slowed things down for focused study of connecting one’s center to their partner and breaking their balance. Clips may be viewed on the dojo’s YouTube channel.

The seminar also provided Chicago Aikikai with the opportunity to celebrate Ikeda Sensei’s recent promotion to 8th dan by Aikido World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo). Saturday night after class, Chicago Aikikai had Japanese food brought in from Torino Ramen restaurant in Wilmette, which included a customized celebratory cake.

Congratulations and thank you so much, Ikeda Sensei!

 

 

 

Building Fund Update

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Announcements on our recent building fund activity. Inaka Dojo contributed $3,000 from their recent seminar taught by Marsha Turner Sensei on August 15-17. Held in tandem with Chicago Aikikai’s demos at the Anime Magic convention August 22-24, furoshiki workshops led by member Satoko Boudaghs brought in $340.00 in donations. However, the biggest news is a $7,500 contribution by an anonymous donor.

Chicago Aikikai would like to thank all of its members, friends and supporters.

Chicago Aikikai demos at Anime Magic

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Chicago Aikikai made a return to the annual Anime Magic convention, held August 22-24 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Donald P. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. The dojo gave four demos over the three days of the convention. In addition, member Satoko Bourdaghs led workshops in the art of furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloths), which participants could take home with a donation to dojo’s building fund for a new space.

Chicago Aikikai at Ginza Holiday Festival

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Chicago Aikikai returned to the Midwest Buddhist Temple’s annual Ginza Holiday Japanese cultural festival to perform demonstrations on Friday, August 8 and Saturday, August 9. Participants included Christian Boswell, Qin Coe, Allie Dignan, Chris Dignan, Nathan Earixson, Dee Guerrier, Tod Olson, Eric Sirota, Dwight Sora (also speaker), and Xiaolu Wang.

One of the highlights was the recreation of a purse-snatching defense from a demonstration done at a 1965 Ginza Festival (when the dojo was known as Illinois Aikido Club and the temple was called Midwest Buddhist Church).

Marsha Turner Sensei at Inaka Dojo

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Inaka Dojo in Beecher, IL had a great turnout for its seminar with Chicago Aikikai’s Chief Instructor Marsha Turner Sensei August 15-17. The seminar, focusing on bokken and jo, had such a great response for registration, the location was moved from Inaka Dojo to nearby Beecher High School.

 

 

 

Thank you Tres Hofmeister Sensei

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Great seminar this past weekend with Tres Hofmeister Sensei (7th dan, Boulder Aikikai). Terrific turnout from many of our fellow dojo and everything went smoothly thanks to all the Chicago Aikikai members who worked on the event.

Congratulations also to Chicago Aikikai members who took their dan tests this past week at the seminar: Satoko Bourdaughs (shodan), Rob Brose (nidan), and Eric Sirota (shodan).

We also celebrated  Tres Hofmeister Sensei’s recent recognition as a Shihan by Aikido World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo) with a cake after dinner on Saturday of the seminar.

Also, special shoutout to Chicago Aikikai member Joe Guerrier (below left, pictured in a 2024 publicity shot) who injured his leg earlier in the week and was unable to train at the Tres Hofmeister seminar, but was there everyday going the extra mile working registration, T-shirt sales, food prep and cleanup.