Chicago Aikikai received a warm reception for its two demos at this year’s Ginza Holiday Japanese cultural festival held by Midwest Buddhist Temple (MBT) on Friday, August 11 and Saturday, August 12. The weekend overall was reportedly a big success for the temple, which is good news as it is their major annual fundraiser and they have not held it since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chicago Aikikai members who participated or were in attendance had the opportunity to enjoy the food, as well as purchase some of the Japanese arts and crafts for sale. [Read more…] about Images from Ginza Holiday Festival 2023
Japanese Culture
Chicago Aikikai at Ginza Holiday Festival
Chicago Aikikai has been invited to demonstrate at this year’s Ginza Holiday Japanese cultural festival held at the Midwest Buddhist Temple (MBT). The Aikikai will perform two demos at 7:30 pm on Friday, August 11 and at 4:00 pm on Saturday, August 12. This will be the temple’s first full-scale festival in three years, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The temple is located at 435 W. Menomonee St., Chicago, IL 60614.
The Asian American Roots of Chicago Aikikai and Aikido in Chicago
“To practice Aikido fully, you must calm the spirit and go back to the origin.”
-Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido
Aikido, a martial way
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, so it seems like a good time to turn back the clock and look at the Asian American origins of Chicago Aikikai and its place in bringing the Japanese martial art of aikido to the Windy City. [Read more…] about The Asian American Roots of Chicago Aikikai and Aikido in Chicago
Chicago Area Japanese Collectables and Sword Show
The annual Chicago Area Japanese Collectables and Sword Show will be held April 28 – 30, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield – Schaumburg, Illinois. [Read more…] about Chicago Area Japanese Collectables and Sword Show
Kagami Biraki 2023
Chicago Aikikai members and guests gathered to celebrate Kagami Biraki at their Third Friday class on Friday, January 20, 2023.
Rotating instruction was provided by Marsha Turner (Chief Instructor and Dojo-cho), Edward Reiff, Andrew Vitale, Dwight Sora, Qin Coe, Patrick Miller and Rob Brose. Class was followed by a potluck dinner.
Basic Japanese Terms and Etiquette for Aikido
This month’s 3rd Friday class (November 18, 2022) will be led by Chicago Aikikai member Satoko Ogura Bourdaghs. The class will cover the basics of Japanese etiquette and language as they are used in aikido practice. Some of the topics Satoko will cover are proper bowing, addressing one another, uniform wear and care, and showing respect. She will also offer tips on helping to remember aikido techniques.
Satoko is a lecturer in Japanese Language at the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations of the University of Chicago. https://ceas.uchicago.edu/directory/satoko-ogura-bourdaghs.