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Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

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demonstration

Chicago Aikikai returning to Ginza Holiday Festival

April 15, 2025 By Dwight

Chicago Aikikai will be returning to give demos at the annual Ginza Holiday Japanese cultural festival at Midwest Buddhist Temple (MBT). Catch us onstage at 6:30 pm on Friday, August 8 and 3:30 pm on Saturday, August 9. And be sure to shop and sample some of the food.

Chicago Aikikai has given numerous aikido demonstrations over the years at the Ginza Holiday, an annual Japanese cultural festival and fundraiser hosted by the Midwest Buddhist Temple (MBT) in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. The temple started as the Midwest Buddhist Church in 1944 and began holding the festival in 1955. Chicago Aikikai began giving demonstrations not long after its founding in 1963 as Illinois Aikido Club.

 

Filed Under: NEWS & EVENTS Tagged With: Aikido, Chicago, Chicago Aikikai, demonstration, Japanese American, Japanese Cultural Festival, martial arts, MBT, Midwest Buddhist Church, Midwest Buddhist Temple, Summer Festival

Anime Magic Video

September 17, 2024 By Dwight

Chicago Aikikai had a great time with its demonstrations at the annual Anime Magic convention August 30 – September 1.

Here is a short video featuring our members at work. Enjoy!

Filed Under: NEWS & EVENTS Tagged With: Anime Magic, demonstration, Hyatt Regency O'Hare

Chicago Aikikai at Anime Magic

August 10, 2024 By Dwight

Chicago Aikikai will be at this year’s Anime Magic anime convention, August 30 – September 1 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare & Donald E Stephens Convention Center. The dojo will have an info booth and performing onsite demos throughout the weekend. More details to come!

Filed Under: NEWS & EVENTS Tagged With: Aikido, anime, anime convention, Chicago Aikikai, demo, demonstration, Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Hyat Regency O'Hare, Japan, Japanese, Japanese Culture, science fiction

Chicago Aikikai at Ginza Holiday Festival

July 28, 2024 By Dwight

Ginza Holiday Festival demo team.
LtoR: Rob Brose, Satoko Bourdaghs, Qin Coe, Dwight Sora, Eric Sirota, Philip Bell (not pictured: Randy Smith)

Chicago Aikikai received a warm reception for its demonstrations on the Friday night and Saturday afternoon of the annual Ginza Holiday Festival held July 26-28 at the Midwest Buddhist Temple.

Obligatory goofy shot

Filed Under: NEWS & EVENTS Tagged With: Aikido, Budo, Chicago, Chicago Aikikai, culture, demonstration, festival, Ginza Holiday Festival, Illinois, Japan, Japanese, martial arts, MBT, Midwest Buddhist Temple, Old Town

Primary Sidebar

Chicago Aikikai is located at:

Evenings and weekends northside
3900 North Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
(home of Choyokan Kendo Dojo)
Unit 100 – Enter through south door

Weekday mornings southside
5307 S. Hyde Park Blvd, Suite 203, Chicago, IL 60615
(606 Karate & Self-Defense)

Classes
See Classes page for times. Please call or e-mail to confirm an appointment day and time before visiting.

Travel

Northside

Driving – 3900 N. Elston Ave. is near Addison entrance/exit to I-90/94. Limited free parking in parking lot. Free/Metered parking on streets (Zoning restrictions on some residential blocks).

Public Transportation – Near CTA Blue Line station at Addison (10-min walk) and #80 Irving Park bus stops (East/West) at Irving Park & Elston/Monticello (4-min walk).

Southside

Driving – Harold Washington Park is at corner of 53rd Street & Hyde Park Blvd. Reachable via Lake Shore Drive at 53rd St. exit. Free/Metered parking on streets.

Public Transportation – #6 Jackson Park Express bus stops at S. Hyde Park Blvd. & E. Hyde Park Blvd. (Southbound) and S. Hyde Park Blvd. & 53rd St. (Northbound).

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Aikido

Aikidō is a modern non-competitive Japanese martial art for developing flexible response to situations with a calm mind and relaxed body without relying on size or muscular strength. Today, 1 million people in 130 countries do aikidō for personal interest, physical conditioning, stress relief, and cultural appreciation.

About Chicago Aikikai

Chicago Aikikai is a registered DBA of Illinois Aikido Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 36-2557303

 

Location and Contact Info

Evening and weekend classes held northside at:
3900 North Elston Ave. Chicago, IL 60618
(home of Choyokan Kendo Dojo)

Weekday morning classes held southside at:
5307 S. Hyde Park Blv., Suite 203, Chicago, IL 60615
(606 Karate & Self-Defense)

Please call or e-mail to confirm an appointment day and time before visiting.

Phone: (312) 870-0687

E-mail: info@chicagoaikikai.org

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