Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

NEWS & EVENTS

Giving Tuesday is right around the corner!

By

Help Chicago Aikikai maintain 65+ years of training in Japanese martial arts

Chicago Aikikai, established 1963 as Illinois Aikido Club and the Midwest’s oldest dojo (studio) for the Japanese martial art of Aikido, is fundraising for a new long-term space for Aikido training.

This Giving Tuesday (December 1, 2026), donate to the Kevin Choate Sensei Memorial Building Fund so we might raise $250,000 in order to secure, move into, and build out a dojo suited to offering high-quality training and honoring the traditions of our art.

The fund, named after the late Kevin Choate Sensei (Chief Instructor from 1981-2012), has so far collected $77,078.00 since its March 2025 launch. Please include us in your 2026 giving plans so we can reach our goal.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Does your company have a matching program?

Please consider using the match to augment your contribution to Chicago Aikikai. Every dollar matters! Check with your employer today.

Support us with a purchase

You can also support Chicago Aikikai by visiting our Etsy store and purchasing a T-shirt or one of our new paintings made using pieces of the canvas that used to cover our training mats.

What your support means

Chicago Aikikai is currently subletting from Choyokan Kendo Dojo and 606 Karate & Self-Defense. Securing our own long-term space would help us offer the following:

Chicago Aikikai (Illinois Aikido Club) is a 501(c)3, organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes. All donations are fully tax deductible in the USA and may be deductible in other countries as a charitable donation. Please check with your tax advisor.

Follow Chicago Aikikai online

https://www.facebook.com/chicagoaikikai

https://www.instagram.com/chicagoaikikai/

https://www.tiktok.com/@chicago_aikikai

https://www.youtube.com/@ChicagoAikikai

Wendy Whited Sensei to be inducted into Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame

By

The Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame has announced that it will posthumously induct Wendy Whited Sensei (1952-2021), founder of Inaka Dojo – Beecher Aikikai and senior instructor of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU) at its 19th annual banquet on Saturday, October 24.
The banquet, which will also serve as the 8th Illinois Boxing Hall of Fame induction, will recognize 20 athletes, teachers and practitioners for their achievements and contributions to boxing and martial arts. Past inductees include Illinois Aikido Club founding member Joe Takehara Sensei in 2017, and late Chicago Aikikai chief instructor Kevin Choate Sensei in 2019.
The banquet will be held at Carlisle Banquets, 435 Butterfield Road, Lombard, IL 60148. Daniel Pierson will be representing Inaka Dojo. Please contact him at splatonthemat@gmail.com if you are interested in attending.

From Training Mat to Works of Art

By

Our friend Thomas Krumroy at Lakeshore Aikido in Ohio has generously donated his talents and efforts to turn the remnants of Chicago Aikikai’s old canvas mat covering into works of art. Here is a sampling of what he has accomplished. These will eventually be priced and sold via our Etsy store. However, if anything catches your attention now, please e-mail info@chicagoaikikai.org. All proceeds will go to the Kevin Choate Sensei Memorial Building Fund.

Class in the New Space

By

We are still settling into our new space at 3900 N. Elston Avenue, but things are coming together bit by bit. Here are some photos from class on Friday, September 18.