We have a new instructor profile video up on our YouTube channel featuring Dwight Sora (4th dan).
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Illinois
Photos from Seminar with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and Senior ASU Instructors
Attendees of Chicago Aikikai’s Oct 3-5, 2025 seminar with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and senior ASU instructors (Jim Alvarez, Robert Deppe, Don Ellingsworth, Eugene Lee, Kamenna Lee, Kay Sandacz, Marsha Turner). Seated in front of the shomen designed and built by Saotome Sensei in 1983.
Second group photo in front of the calligraphy of “Bushin” (武神) by Saotome Sensei given to the dojo in 1983 and featured on the commemorative seminar T-shirt. In back, Chicago Aikikai members hold the old exterior sign that was used when the dojo first moved to its Lincoln Avenue location in the mid-90s.
Group photo of Chicago Aikikai members with Saotome Sensei.
Photos of Chicago Aikikai Chief Instructor and Dojo-cho Marsha Turner with Saotome Sensei, and guest instructors Eugene Lee Sensei and Kamenna Lee Sensei, including one with Turner Sensei receiving a dogi from Saotome Sensei branded for senior leader instructors.
Pre-and post-class time at the Oct 3-5, 2025 seminar with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and senior ASU instructors.
Seminar dinner celebration on Saturday, October 4.
Torino Ramen restaurant in Wilmette provided a great spread for the Saturday night seminar dinner. It included this elaborate sashimi platter that was both delicious and inspired some hijinks (Qin Coe gets an unexpected surprise from Dwight Sora while receiving a post-training massage from Rob Brose).
Chicago Aikikai demos at Anime Magic
Chicago Aikikai made a return to the annual Anime Magic convention, held August 22-24 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and Donald P. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. The dojo gave four demos over the three days of the convention. In addition, member Satoko Bourdaghs led workshops in the art of furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloths), which participants could take home with a donation to dojo’s building fund for a new space.
Thank you Tres Hofmeister Sensei
Great seminar this past weekend with Tres Hofmeister Sensei (7th dan, Boulder Aikikai). Terrific turnout from many of our fellow dojo and everything went smoothly thanks to all the Chicago Aikikai members who worked on the event.
Congratulations also to Chicago Aikikai members who took their dan tests this past week at the seminar: Satoko Bourdaughs (shodan), Rob Brose (nidan), and Eric Sirota (shodan).
We also celebrated Tres Hofmeister Sensei’s recent recognition as a Shihan by Aikido World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo) with a cake after dinner on Saturday of the seminar.
Also, special shoutout to Chicago Aikikai member Joe Guerrier (below left, pictured in a 2024 publicity shot) who injured his leg earlier in the week and was unable to train at the Tres Hofmeister seminar, but was there everyday going the extra mile working registration, T-shirt sales, food prep and cleanup.
Thank you to our Nanadan guest instructors!
Chicago Aikikai had a great seminar September 13-15 with guest instructors George Ledyard (7th dan, Aikido Eastside) and Chuck Weber (7th dan, Baltimore Aikido). Both instructors, senior students of Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, brought their years of experience and insight to classes focusing on the fundamentals and keys to practicing randori (乱取り; multiple person attacks). The seminar, titled “Aikido Beyond Thought” is part of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU)‘s ongoing series of Nanadan (7th degree black belt) seminars under the banner of “Bringing Saotome Sensei’s Legacy Forward“.
Our deepest gratitude to Ledyard Sensei, Weber Sensei, and of course Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU) and all the guests who attended.
Chicago Aikikai at Ginza Holiday Festival
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.
