Website: #MeTooAikido Website & Facebook Page Launch
Posted 4/28/2021 7:57am [from Jun Akiyama]
C/w: Sexual harassment and assault.
I wanted to highlight the website www.MeTooAikido.com and the Facebook page MeTooAikido, both of which “bring awareness to all aikido practitioners about sexual harassment and assault. Find resources for survivors as well as dojo instructors, owners and organizations. Abuse in dojos affects all of us.”
The website also contains an Aikido practitioner's sexual assault survivor’s story and a place to pledge your and your dojo/organizations support for the movement, as well as resources for survivors and support for Aikido dojo to create safer spaces.
Please take a look, support, and sign the pledge. Thank you.
Publication: Aikizen: Spiritual Aikido
Posted 4/28/2021 7:56am [from Ralph Pettman]
I recently published a booklet entitled "Aikizen: Spiritual Aikido". In it I detail the erosion of the spiritual foundation to Aikido, and I posit its reconstruction using the moving version of a meditative modality called Aikizen. --Ralph Pettman
Publication: British Aikido History
Posted 4/28/2021 7:56am [from Henry Ellis]
The book `British Aikido History` The story of two pioneers from the Kenshiro Abbe Era 1950s - The book, published by Amazon on the 7th March 2021 - Many old photos - stories - anecdotes to give the reader a taste of those early days. The B/W version is £6-35p also available a colour version at £27-00. please visit Amazon Aikido Books, see top of books image [Look inside ] see a free preview.
Regards
Henry Ellis Co-author " British Aikido History".
Donovan Waite Sensei Passes Away
Posted 2/22/2021 3:21pm [from Jun Akiyama]
I have just been informed that Donovan Waite (7th dan, Aikido Institute of Philadelphia) has passed away, The United States Aikido Federation has posted onto Facebook, "We were notified of this tragic news today and at this time, we have no other information to share. Our hearts go out to his family, students, and friends throughout the world. There are no words to express the depth of this loss to the aikido community. We will always hold him in our hearts and in our practice."
Waite started aikido in 1969 and received his shodan at age 14 and served as uchideshi to Yoshimitsu Yamada at the New York Aikikai for over 10 years.
My condolences go out to his friends, family, students, and loved ones.
Seminar: Jan 16, 2021: Aikido Bridge Seminar (Zoom)
Posted 1/01/2021 9:05pm [from Lisa Tomoleoni]
Jan 16, 2021. Join us in celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Aikido Bridge Seminars. The Bridge Seminars began in San Diego at Jiai Aikido. Jiai will host this celebratory seminar on January 16, 2021 over Zoom. All affiliations, dojo, and styles are welcome. See our website for further information: https://www.sandiegoaikido.com/2021-san-diego-bridge
Obituary: Hiroshi Somemiya Shihan (1932-2020)
Posted 9/21/2020 7:51am [from Michael Leung]
It is with great sorrow and deep regret that we have to announce Hiroshi Somemiya Shihan, 7th Dan Aikikai, passed away peacefully at home on 11th September at the age of 88. Somemiya Shihan is the Patron of our Dojo, Hong Kong Aikido Kan, a role he kindly took on following the passing of his close friend Kenneth Cottier Shihan in June 2008. He was also the former General Secretary of the International Aikido Federation (IAF) and Head of Overseas Department at Aikikai Hombu Dojo. Somemiya Shihan contributed greatly to the development of Aikido across the world, especially in Hong Kong and in other countries in Asia. [More details in forum thread]
Patty Saotome Sensei Passes Away
Posted 9/20/2020 11:17am [from Jun Akiyama]
I have received news that Patty Saotome (7th dan shihan, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba) has passed away. She was a longtime student of Mitsugi Saotome (8th dan) since 1975 and taught at various dojo including the Sarasota Aikikai Dojo, Aikido Shobukan (Washington DC), Chicago Budokan, and the ASU Aiki Shrine (Myakka City, FL). She was instrumental in translating her husband’s work into English including for his book “Aikido and the Harmony of Nature” for which she also edited and did the photographic work.
My condolences go out to her family, friends, students, and loved ones.
Blog Article: Interview with Former New York Aikikai Instructor Ruth Peyser
Posted 9/07/2020 3:26pm [from Jun Akiyama]
Here is a recently published interview entitled "Interview with Former New York Aikikai Instructor Ruth Peyser: Supporting Gender Equity and the Independent Coalition of USAF Women’s Petition" that discusses Peyser's signing of a petition calling for gender equality in the United States Aikido Federation and her being subsequently "expelled" from New York Aikikai.
From the interview: "My first meeting with Yamada Sensei lasted less than a minute. He told me he was very angry that I had signed and shared the petition, and he didn’t want me teaching at his dojo. I taught at New York Aikikai for about thirty-three years. Obviously, I was extremely upset, and I wanted to talk to him about it. As I opened my mouth to say something, he told me that he didn’t want to hear a word I had to say and left the room. The following week, I received an email expelling me from the dojo."
