An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido
“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
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
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.
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.
At the seminar held in appreciation of Wendy Whited Sensei April 8-10, 2022, at Inaka Dojo in Beecher, Illinois, participants were each offered offered a small gift bag containing items of traditional Japanese art and design. [Read more…] about Mementos of a Life: Gifts from Wendy Whited Sensei
The Chicago Aikikai has been invited by the Asian American Coalition of Chicago to demonstrate at this year’s Asian Heritage Month Celebration. Members of the dojo will showcase basic and advance aikido technique in Chinatown Square on Saturday, May 14 at 2:00 pm. [Read more…] about Asian Heritage Month Aikido Demonstration May 14, 2022