Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

Dwight

Kagami Biraki at Chicago Aikikai

By

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.

 

About Kagami Biraki

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.

Basic Japanese Terms and Etiquette for Aikido

By

This month’s 3rd Friday class (November 18, 2022) will be led by Chicago Aikikai member Satoko Ogura Bourdaghs. The class will cover the basics of Japanese etiquette and language as they are used in aikido practice. Some of the topics Satoko will cover are proper bowing, addressing one another, uniform wear and care, and showing respect. She will also offer tips on helping to remember aikido techniques.

Satoko is a lecturer in Japanese Language at the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations of the University of Chicago. https://ceas.uchicago.edu/directory/satoko-ogura-bourdaghs.

Sharing Our Space

By

Chicago Aikikai welcomes board-certified dance movement therapist Eve Chalom, who will be using the dojo as a base for her work. Eve is also a former competitive figure skater, yoga and qigong teacher, and brain injury specialist (among other areas of expertise). She will be offering private sessions, and an open gentle movement class 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm on select Wednesdays ($20 suggested donation. See healingthroughmovement.squarespace.com for details).

Regular Chicago Aikikai members should note that aikido class will no longer be held on Wednesday evenings, and not to enter the dojo during non-class hours without prior clearance by seniors.

One-Day Seminar and Dan Tests

By

On Saturday, October 15, 2022, Chicago Aikikai will be hosting a special seminar featuring Marsha Turner sensei (6th Dan, Chicago Aikikai), Kay Sandacz sensei (5th Dan, Inaka Dojo), and Nicole Mooney sensei (3rd Dan, Milwaukee Shobukan). There will be dan tests at the end of the day.
Schedule:
Class: 10 AM – 12 noon and 3-4 PM
Tests: 4 PM
Party: 5:30 PM
Click here for a downloadable flyer for the event.
Registration: Payment of $25 is accepted via paypal (info@chicagoaikikai.org), or cash/check at the door.
Vaccination: Vaccination proof is required for attending the seminar; masks are encouraged.
Observers are welcome!

Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan at Chicago Aikikai September 16-18, 2022

By

Registration is open for Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan’s seminar September 16-18. The seminar is hosted by Chicago Aikikai and Aikido Shimbokukai, and will be Ikeda Shihan’s first 3 day solo seminar in the Midwest since 2019. Aikido practitioners of any style and affiliation are welcome! It is a great opportunity to train with, or observe, an Aikido master without the need to travel.

Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan

Ikeda Shihan began Aikido at Kokugakuin University Aikido Club, of which Mitsugi Saotome Shihan was the chief instructor. After graduation he trained regularly at Aikido World Headquarters and in Saotome Shihan’s Reimeijuku Dojo in Tokyo. He established Boulder Aikikai in 1980 for the study of the Japanese martial art of Aikido.The dojo is affiliated with the Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, through the Aikido Shimbokukai. Ikeda Shihan is well-known for his effective technique, and travels extensively around the world teaching. He is a member of the Grading Committee and Vice-President of Aikido Shimbokukai.

Seminar Registration is Open and Limited

Registration will be limited to 40 people and to individuals who are vaccinated for Covid-19. Registration fee is $160. Please use this link to register, and email your proof of vaccination here. Registration will be on a first come, first served basis and will not be complete until proof of vaccination is verified.

Check out the event flyer—maybe you want to share it (electronically or in print)???

Seminar at Chicago Aikikai, September 16-18

The seminar will be held September 16-18, 2022, at the Chicago Aikikai, 1444 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL.

Class times are:
Friday September 16 6:30-8:30 pm
Saturday September 17 10:00 am-12:00 pm & 3:00-5:00 pm
Sunday September 18 10:00 am-12:00 pm

We look forward to seeing you on the mat!