Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

Mitsugi Saotome

Photos from Seminar with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and Senior ASU Instructors

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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).

2025 Seminars at Chicago Aikikai

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Please come join us for our last three seminars in our current space

June 6-8

Tres Hofmeister Sensei

7th dan, Senior Instructor at Boulder Aikikai, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU)

Classses: Friday (6:30 pm – 8:30 pm), Saturday (10:00 am – 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm), Sunday (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)

Register for full weekend or per class here.

 

September 12-14

Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan

8th dan, Founder and Chief Instructor of Boulder Aikikai, Aikido Shimbokukai

Classses: Friday (6:30 pm – 8:30 pm), Saturday (10:00 am – 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm), Sunday (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)

Register for full weekend or per class here.

October 3-5

Mitsugi Saotome Shihan

Uchi deshi of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba, Founder and Chief Instructor of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU)

Seminar will also feature classes taught by ASU Senior Instructors TBA

Part of a year-long celebration of Saotome Sensei’s 50th years of teaching in the United States.

Classses: Friday (6:30 pm – 8:30 pm), Saturday (10:00 am – 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm), Sunday (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)

Register for full weekend or per class here. Non-training guests attending Saturday dinner must also register as a “Celebration guest”.

Please note that due to anticipated demand, registration will be closed Friday, September 19.

Financial support to attend available via the ASU grant program.

 

 

Thank you to our Nanadan guest instructors!

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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.

The Asian American Roots of Chicago Aikikai and Aikido in Chicago

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“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