Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

Mitsugi Saotome Shihan

Marsha Turner Shihan at 2026 ASU Summer Camp

By

The annual Aikido Schools in Ueshiba (ASU) Summer Camp was held July 1-5 at Aikido Shobukan Dojo in Washington, D.C. Chicago Aikikai’s Chief Instructor Marsha Turner Shihan was one of the scheduled instructors for the event.

Of special note, Mitsugi Saotome Shihan presented Shihan (師範; Master Instructor) certificates awarded by Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba and Aikido World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo). Recipients included Jim Alvarez (Aikido of Livermore), Lee Crawford (Aikido Northshore), Robert Deppe (Aikido Shobukan Dojo), Eugene Lee (Aikido Shobukan Dojo), Chetan Prakash (Redlands Aikikai), and Marsha Turner

Short clips from Oct 3-5, 2025 seminar with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and senior ASU instructors

By

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.

A Guide to the Art of Chicago Aikikai

By

Chicago Aikikai must move by June 2026, and its current build is the last one designed by the late Kevin Choate Sensei (Chief Instructor from 1981-2012) with guidance from Mitsugi Saotome Shihan. Thus, an effort is being made to document and preserve the history and meaning of all of its art and design elements. A Guide to the Art of Chicago Aikikai has been prepared, and is available to view or download for freeby clicking on the link here.

(First page of A Guide to the Art of Chicago Aikikai shown below)

Training Photos from Seminar with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and Senior ASU Instructors

By

Day 1 of Seminar (Friday, October 3, 2025)

Class with Marsha Turner Sensei (Chicago Aikikai)

Class with Eugene Lee Sensei (Aikido Shobukan Dojo)

Day 2 of Seminar (Saturday, October 4, 2025)

Class with Robert Deppe Sensei (Aikido Shobukan Dojo)

Class with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan (Founder and Leader, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU))

Class with Kay Sandacz Sensei (Inaka Dojo)

Class with Don Ellingsworth Sensei (Tampa Aikido)

Class with Jim Alvarez Sensei (Aikido of Livermore)

Day 3 of Seminar (Sunday, October 5, 2025)

Class with Kamenna Lee Sensei (Aikido Shobukan Dojo)

Photos from Seminar with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and Senior ASU Instructors

By

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).