An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido
Chicago Aikikai members and guests gathered to celebrate Kagami Biraki at their Third Friday class on Friday, January 20, 2023.
Rotating instruction was provided by Marsha Turner (Chief Instructor and Dojo-cho), Edward Reiff, Andrew Vitale, Dwight Sora, Qin Coe, Patrick Miller and Rob Brose. Class was followed by a potluck dinner.
Marsha Turner is Chief Instructor and Dojo-cho (director) of Chicago Aikikai, the city’s oldest dojo (school) for the Japanese martial art of aikido. Assuming leadership in 2012, Turner brings more than 37 years of training under such notable instructors as Mitsugi Saotome, Shihan (Master Instructor) and founder of the Aikikai’s parent organization Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU), and her predecessor, late Chief Instructor Kevin Choate. A former student of ballet and other forms of dance, as well as fencing, Turner is noted for her detail-oriented instruction and proficiency in such areas as traditional Japanese weapons work. In addition to regular classes at the Aikikai, Turner has guest instructed at Winter Term at Oberlin College, the ASU Winter Intensive, and the Midwest Bridge Seminar.
Chicago Aikikai member Dwight Sora interviewed Marsha Turner and put together this video.
Aikido of Madison again welcomes Jan Nevelius Shihan of Vanadis Aikido in Sweden for a friendship seminar March 10-12, 2023.
All participants will be required to be fully vaccinated (including any boosters for which you are eligible). At present the event is planned to be mask-optional, but that status may be altered depending on conditions. Attendance will be limited and pre-registration is required.
For full information: https://aikidoofmadison.com/events/seminars/
Bill King, former instructor and dojo-cho of ASU member dojo Cleveland Aikikai, passed away on January 15. During the 1980s and 90s he was a regular fixture of weekend seminars at Chicago Aikikai, frequently participating when Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan (Founder and Chief Instructor, Boulder Aikikai) and Mitsugi Saotome Shihan [Founder, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU)] were in town to teach. He is immortalized at the Aikikai by the photo at the top of the entrance stairs, taking ukemi for Ikeda Shihan.
Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan [8th dan, Chief Instructor of New York Aikikai, President of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF)] died peacefully on Sunday, January 15.
Born in 1938, he entered aikido Hombu Dojo (headquarters) as an uchi deshi (live-in student) in 1955 at the age of 17. He first came to the U.S. in 1964 to demonstrate at the World’s Fair in New York, and assumed the position as chief instructor of New York Aikikai. At that time, he was the only aikido teacher from Japan on the East Coast.
As President of USAF, his home when visiting Chicago was naturally the Midwest Aikido Center (MAC), the local USAF member dojo. However, in the early days of American aikido and prior to the founding of MAC or USAF, he was known to visit Illinois Aikido Club, as Chicago Aikikai was originally known. Our condolences to his family, friends and students around the world. Mitsugi Saotome Shihan [Founder, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU)] is quoted on the ASU Facebook page saying ““Yamada Sensei had a huge influence on aikido in the United States and I respect him.” Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan (Founder and Chief Instructor, Boulder Aikikai) posted “We lost another great Aikido teacher, January 15th, 2023. Rest In Peace.”
Chicago Aikikai will hold its annual kagami biraki class on Friday, January 20, 2023, to celebrate training in the New Year.
Training will be from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm led by Marsha Turner Sensei, followed by a potluck dinner.
Members past and present, as well as fellow aikidoka from other dojo, are invited to join us for class.
Friends, family and visitors are welcome to observe and join in the party afterward.
If you are planning to attend and bring something for the potluck, please e-mail info@chicagoaikikai.org.
Kagami biraki (鏡開き) is the traditional kick-off for the New Year held in many Japanese martial arts dojo.
It means “opening the mirror,” and references the breaking of ceremonial rice cakes (kagami mochi) or the top of a cask of sake.
According to history, the fourth Tokugawa shogun (supreme warlord), Tokugawa Ietsuna, was the first to hold a kagami mochi ceremony 300 years ago. On the eve of war, he gathered the lords in his castle to break open a sake cask.