Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

NEWS & EVENTS

Chicago Aikikai back at Anime Magic

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Chicago Aikikai is returning to the Anime Magic anime and Japanese pop culture convention, running August 21-23 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Donald E Stephens Convention Center.

Members of Chicago Aikikai will lead a panel presentation, “Aikido, Martial Arts and Anime” in the LAX Panel Room at 8:30 pm on Friday, August 21. Aikido will be used as a starting point for discussing the history of Japanese martial arts portrayals in anime and related media.

Members will then perform live demos on the Spotlight Stage in the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency O’Hare at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 22 and 1:30 pm on Sunday, August 23.

For registration and details, please visit the Anime Magic homepage at https://www.animemagic.org/.

 

Chicago Crosstown Seminar (Kiku Matsu Dojo and Chicago Aikikai)

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Reminder that Kiku Matsu Dojo, headquarters of Aikido World Alliance (AWA) and under the leadership of Andrew Sato Shihan, will be hosting the Chicago Crosstown Seminar with instruction by Laura DeGraff Sensei (Kiku Matsu Dojo) and Marsha Turner Shihan (Chicago Aikikai). The seminar will be held Saturday, September 12 – Sunday, September 13 at Kiku Matsu Dojo.

Chicago Crosstown Seminar
Kiku Matsu Dojo
4512 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60625
Saturday, September 12 – Sunday, September 13, 2026
Click HERE to register.

 

 

 

Supporting Frank Doran Sensei and Ursula Doran

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Frank Doran Sensei (8th dan, Aikido West) and his wife Ursula are in need of financial assistance due to his declining health. These funds would go towards medical bills and in-home care during the day and also through the night.
Doran Sensei has been a pioneer in establishing Aikido in the United States and abroad, and has touched many hearts with his humor, his masterful teaching, and his passion for the art.
If you are able to give, it is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support and please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Passing of John Eley

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We just received word from Ted Ehara of Chicago Ki-Aikido of the passing of Jonathan (John) Eley, who died the morning of Tuesday, July 14 in a care facility from a heart attack.

Eley was one of the first non-Japanese members of the Illinois Aikido Club (as Chicago Aikikai was originally called). In February 1961, he responded to an invitation from founding member Norman Miyagi and visited the dojo’s first location at 3223 N. Clark Street for a Sunday class, and as he related in an interview, “I was converted.”

Eley remained with the Illinois Aikido Club until 1974, training under Chester Sasaki, Francis Takahashi, Isao Takahashi and Yoshihiko Hirata. When Koichi Tohei split from Hombu Dojo, Eley chose to follow him as a student of Tohei’s Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido (The Ki Society).

In 1975, Eley organized the Chicago Ki Society at University of Chicago, and served as chief instructor of Chicago Ki Aikido until today.

Our condolences to all of Eley’s friends, family and students.

Marsha Turner Shihan at 2026 ASU Summer Camp

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The annual Aikido Schools in Ueshiba (ASU) Summer Camp was held July 1-5 at Aikido Shobukan Dojo in Washington, D.C. Chicago Aikikai’s Chief Instructor Marsha Turner Shihan was one of the scheduled instructors for the event.

Of special note, Mitsugi Saotome Shihan presented Shihan (師範; Master Instructor) certificates awarded by Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba and Aikido World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo). Recipients included Jim Alvarez (Aikido of Livermore), Lee Crawford (Aikido Northshore), Robert Deppe (Aikido Shobukan Dojo), Eugene Lee (Aikido Shobukan Dojo), Chetan Prakash (Redlands Aikikai), and Marsha Turner