Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

NEWS & EVENTS

2026 Shihan Appointments

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Our parent organization, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU), just announced the names of senior ASU instructors who have been appointed Shihan (師範) or “Master Instructor,” including our own chief instructor, Marsha Turner Sensei. The appointments were done by the Examination Committee for the Appointment of Shihan at Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan.

Our heartfelt congratulations to all those who have been recognized for their years of dedication, self-development and teaching in the art of aikido.

You can also learn more about Marsha Turner Sensei from her instructor profile video on our YouTube channel, and this interview that appeared on the website Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

2026 Shihan Appointments

We are pleased to announce that the following ASU members have been appointed Shihan by the Examination Committee for the Appointment of Shihan at Aikikai Hombu Dojo. Congratulations to all!

Jim Alvarez, Aikido of Livermore
Lee Crawford, Bond Street Dojo
Robert Deppe, Aikido Shobukan Dojo
Eugene Lee, Aikido Shobukan Dojo
Chetan Prakash, Redlands Aikikai
Gary Small, Aikido of Maine
Marsha Turner, Chicago Aikikai

This honor reflects their deep experience, technical mastery, and long-standing dedication to the transmission of Aikido and its values through their leadership, engagement, and support of ASU.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Saotome Sensei, whose vision and lifelong commitment to Aikido continue to guide and inspire our community. We also offer our sincere thanks to Doshu and the Aikikai Foundation for this recognition.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding leaders in our community.

What is a Shihan?

Shihan (師範) is a Japanese term indicating a”master instructor” or “teacher of teachers,” used primarily in martial arts for highly skilled, senior instructors. Those awarded usually hold a rank of 5th to 7th degree black belt or higher, and it represents a formal title recognized by a Japanese headquarters or association, rather than just a rank.

Etymology

shi (師 – model/example) and han (範 – master/exemplar). Hence, shihan means an exemplar or model.

Proper Use

Shihan is not used as a name extension or form of address like –san or –sensei. Address a Shihan as “Sensei” or “[Name]-sensei” in regular dojo conversation. However, do use it when referring to them in a formal introduction or announcement (especially written).

Seminar (and Dojo Packing Weekend) with Tres Hofmeister Sensei

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Chicago Aikikai will host its final seminar at its current location (1444 W. Chicago Ave.) the weekend of June 5-7, 2026 with instruction by Tres Hofmeister Sensei (7th dan, Boulder Aikikai). Registration is open to students of aikido of all levels, regardless of affiliation.

Participants may register at $200.00 for the full weekend or $60.00 per class online HERE.

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CLASS SCHEDULE

Friday

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Saturday

10:00 am – 12:00 pm,

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm (followed by dinner at the dojo)

Sunday

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

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You can learn more about Hofmeister Sensei by watching this Zoom interview taken in advance of his 2024 seminar at Chicago Aikikai on our YouTube channel.

The seminar will also serve as a work weekend for final dismantling of the dojo’s interior. As previously announced, Chicago Aikikai must move by the end of June (for more info, see our Dojo Move page). It is our hope that dojo members, together with volunteers among seminar guests, will be able to complete the final take-down of interior features and loading for transport (to locations for short/long-term storage and training). Any assistance available will be greatly appreciated.

 

New Building Search and Fundraising Update

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Chicago Aikikai’s current location

 

In March 2025, Chicago Aikikai announced our lease would not be renewed, and we must vacate by June 2026.

Since then, we launched a search for a suitable location. Plans are to lease a new space in the city with the best combination of size, cost and ease-of-travel for existing members. We are currently focused on prospects on Chicago’s Northwest side. We are also discussing possible space-sharing with Chicago Kendo Dojo and other activity partners to offset costs.

 

 

 

 

THE KEVIN CHOATE SENSEI MEMORIAL BUILDING FUND

Kevin Choate Sensei and Mitsugi Saotome Shihan

To support our move and future  build-out, we also launched the Kevin Choate Sensei Memorial Building Fund. Choate Sensei was our Chief Instructor from 1981 until his passing in 2012, and is strongly credited with creating the dojo’s distinctive interior design.

The fund will help us cover the cost of the move, building materials, any non-volunteer labor, and a reserve fund for rent and utilities. In addition, our intention is for this to lay the groundwork for long-term fundraising to purchase a more permanent location in the future.

 

BUILDING FUND PROGRESS REPORT

As of February 2026, we have raised $32,300.00. This includes direct contributions to the building fund, as well as donations made via seminar registrations, gifts from fellow dojo, Giving Tuesday campaigns, and dojo merchandise sales. We are sincerely grateful to all those who have contributed and thank you for your generosity.

Our original goal was $70,000.00. However, due to landlords seeking stronger financial guarantees and rising construction costs (reportedly up 6.2% in mid-2025), we are revising it to $100,000.00. This should help ensure a smooth transition between spaces.

PLEASE SUPPORT US

Change has been part of the dojo since it began informally in 1961 in a Lakeview basement on Clark Street, then moved across the street the following year as Illinois Aikido Club. It has since relocated to Uptown (Bryn Mawr, 15 years), Rogers Park (Howard Street, 4 years – as Chicago Aikikai), Northcenter (Lincoln Avenue, 15 years), and presently West Town (Chicago Avenue, currently 16 years).

A new dojo presents challenges, but we are ready for it. We hope you can support us in our endeavors.

If you have not donated already, or would like to give further, you may donate by check made out to “Illinois Aikido Club dba Chicago Aikikai” and mailed to the dojo at 1444 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642, or click here to donate online. Chicago Aikikai is a 501(c)3 not for profit and all donations are tax deductible.

You can also support us by getting a T-shirt online from our Etsy store, or purchasing one of the river rocks from the dojo’s rock stream with added custom painting (In-person sales at dojo only). Also stay tuned, we are working on repurposing the dojo’s old canvas mat covering into bags.

Chicago Aikikai T-shirts on Etsy

Chicago Aikikai Japanese calligraphy rocks

Chicago Aikikai canvas bags (work in progress)

Thank you.

Rocks with Japanese calligraphy for sale (New building fundraising)

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Samples of river rocks for sale with Japanese calligraphy painted on them. All proceeds go to support our new building fund efforts.

The rocks come from our interior rock stream feature, which we unfortunately cannot take with us.

The calligraphy is courtesy of Chicago Aikikai member Xiaolu Wang, who painted many herself and is leading a team of volunteers to assist.

Unfortunately, we are not set up (yet) for online or mail-order purchases. Consider making an in-person visit to the dojo before it moves to purchase a rock.

We may also be bringing some for sale to the Midwest Aikido Bridge Seminar, March 20-22 at Milwaukee Shobukan dojo.