Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

martial arts

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.

Thank you Tres Hofmeister Sensei

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicago Aikikai returning to Ginza Holiday Festival

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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.