Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

Aikido

Vintage Aikido Films on YouTube

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Thanks to the efforts of Chicago Film Archives, the recently rediscovered collection of 1960s era 16 mm films belonging to Illinois Aikido Club is now digitized and we are making them available to the public via YouTube.

First up is a 1969 local NBC news segment highlighting aikido and Illinois Aikido Club when it was on Bryn Mawr Avenue in the Uptown neighborhood. The footage includes class led by late Chief Instructor Isao Takahashi Sensei (1912-1972).

Next are several films featuring pioneering instructor Koichi Tohei Sensei (1920-2011). These include three privately made reels while he was visiting dojo in the US, and a professionally made visual textbook produced in Japan.

We have one more reel to go. However, it is in Japanese and we will be working to provide original subtitles. Stay tuned and check back for updates.

Asian American “Tea Talk” (Mental Health Workshop) at Chicago Aikikai

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Chicago Aikikai will be hosting the latest in the “Tea Talks” Workshop series sponsored by the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois using martial arts to discuss mental health and fitness. This follows previous workshops presenting Karate and Muy Thai kickboxing. Open to the general public (with registration) and no martial arts experience necessary. To register, go to the Zeffy link here.

Short clips from Oct 3-5, 2025 seminar with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and senior ASU instructors

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We have a new playlist on our YouTube channel featuring short video clips from classes at Chicago Aikikai’s seminar with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and senior ASU instructors, held October 3-5, 2025. Our last seminar at Chicago Aikikai’s 1444 West Chicago Avenue location.
Click on the clip below to start the playlist, or go to the link here to see the entire playlist contents.