General News: Ichiro Shibata Sensei Separates from USAF West

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6/25/2001 2:42pm [from Jun Akiyama (akiy@aikiweb.com)]

I have now heard from a few sources that Ichiro Shibata sensei (7th dan, Berkely Aikikai (http://www.balsamfir.com/berkeley)) has left the USAF Western Region (http://www.usafwr.org/). From what I've gathered from people, Shibata sensei has reaffiliated or is in the process of reaffiliating directly with Aikikai Hombu Dojo. The USAF Dojo Listings (http://www.aikidoonline.com/dojo_list/dojousaf.html) shows Berkeley Aikikai as being "in the process of re-organizing it's [sic] affiliation."

[akiy]

Update 6/26: Reports have Shibata sensei reaffiliating with USAF (http://www.usaikifed.com/) and not directly with Aikikai Hombu Dojo.

Update 6/26 #2: Berkeley Aikikai's website (http://www.balsamfir.com/berkeley/) states the dojo is affiliated with USAF and Aikikai Hombu Dojo.