Seattle Aikido History & Washington Aikikai
www.wuji.com
NOTE: As
information comes my way I'll post, update, and try to correct the information
below. though the 1970's & 80's have more details about the goings on,
after that I've kept to the opening or closing of schools. Dojo or teacher
anniversaries, and promotions aren't included since that would be a fulltime
job. So . . . . some of the dojo's below may not be currently operating,
may have moved, changed, or who knows what! Such as the Seikikai Aikido or
Barish sensei's dojo relocating. and some dojo's opening more branches. There
are also some Aikido and Aikijujitsu groups I know that are just meeting and
working out that have no school names, affiliations, or are interested in being
posted so at their request I've omitted them. Lastly, there have been many
promotions since the schools have opened, so the rank listed of the instructor
may not be currently correct but it was during the opening of the school.
(I wrote this originally in February 1985. Aikido in the Seattle
and the northwest has grown considerably since then. Jain brought it to my attention
wondering if I wanted to update it. Reading through it, I found a few omissions about the
early days of Aikido in this area so I’ve added and corrected some things. Also since
the first Aikido group became the Washington Aikikai, this is a history of the Washington
Aikikai. After 1985, I have not been involved with the Aikido community deeply so I really
don’t know who’s arrived and all the new schools and teachers here. Though the
written copy of this isn’t correctable the online version is so . . . if you have
more information to add, correct, or volunteer please let me know and I’ll update the
online version. You can reach me at:
email Thanks Andy
(www.wuji.com)
At one time Aikido was Aikido and everyone’s Master was Osensei (Morihei Ueshiba
the founder), even shortly after his death in April 1968. Though teaching technique and
individual understanding was different, it could all be traced back to the Hombu dojo:
Osensei founder, Doshu sensei director (founder’s son), and Koichi Tohei shihan,
chief instructor of Hombu Dojo. No matter where you traveled, if you met another Aikido
student you were considered family. No one asked, "What school or style are you
with?" All Aikido people welcomed each other openly, and enjoyed practicing
& sharing instead
of comparing styles. Since then much of Aikido has gone the way of
religion, each group believing their's is the only or try way
L.
1967
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In Seattle, an Aikido club was started by Tom
Katsuyoshi 1st kyu. His core group of students at this dojo were: John Kanetomi, Doug
Tsuboi, and Nat Steiger. (Tom eventually moved back to Hawaii) |
1970
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Koichi Tohei sensei 10th dan
(chief Instructor of Hombu Dojo) sent Mr. Yoshihiko Hirata, 4th
dan to begin an Aikido club in the northwest. With the help of Katsuyoshi sensei, Hirata
sensei was able to start Aikido classes. Shortly afterward these two clubs merged and
Hirata sensei was chief instructor, Tom was promoted to 1st dan. Simultaneously,
in north Seattle, at the Washington Karate Association an Aikido club was started by
Bernard Lau, 2nd dan. The core of this dojo was Andy Dale and Chuck Livingston.
Lau sensei set up this dojo as an extension of the Hawaii Aikikai, chief instructor Sado
Yoshioka, 5th dan. Each club was unknown to the other.
Late In 1970 Hirata’s Aikido group and Lau sensei`s dojo became acquainted and in
1971 they merged into one club at the Seattle Budokan which was a Judo dojo established in 1968 (301
South Main Street). Shortly afterward Lau sensei was promoted to 3rd dan but
with his work requiring more time, Lau sensei had to stop teaching. Over the next few
years the Dojo became an important stop for Aikido shihans and other instructors touring the U.S.
from Hombu Dojo. We were lucky to have three special visits and workshops from
Koichi Tohei
sensei 10th dan. |
1972
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In January 1972 the Seattle Aikikai was
incorporated by David Becker, John Kanetomi, Theresa Lavallee, Nat Steiger, Doug Tsuboi,
Paul Watanabe. Hirata sensei was Chief Instructor of the new Seattle Aikikai. Under the
encouragement of Hirata sensei , Chuck Livingston founded the University of Washington
Aikido Club (UWAC). The core group of the Seattle Aikikai at this time was: John Kanetomi,
Doug Tsuboi, Nat Steiger, Andy Dale, Chuck Livingston, and Paul Watanabe. Chuck and Andy
also began teaching Aikido at the Lake City Community Center.
Koichi Tohei 10th dan visited Seattle Aikikai and taught for several days. |
1973
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In late 1973 Tohel sensei sent Koichi
Kashiwaya 3rd dan (currently 8th dan and head of U.S. Ki Society),
as assistant instructor to Seattle Aikikai and to become chief instructor of the UWAC.
Kashiwaya sensei also began teaching Aikido at Evergreen State in Olympia. Around this
time Walter Moy, a member of Seattle Aikikai began teaching Aikido at the Queen Anne
Recreational Center. In Tacoma the Fife Dojo was running teaching: Judo, Kendo, Iaido,
and Aikido. Among the board members were Stu Bush (Judo) and Fujiko Gardner
(Aikido). Fujiko sensei at
this time was 2nd dan and trained Aikido in Japan under Hiroshi Isoyama sensei
8th Dan.
Koichi Tohei taught a week long training session at the UWAC that summer. Throughout
the year there were workshops given by the following shihan: Shizuo Imaizumi
(in 1974 he established the New York Ki Society and in 1975 became head of
U.S. Ki Society until 1987 when he established the Shin Budo Kai), FumioToyota
sensei (who established the Chicago Aikikai and eventually the Aikido
Association of America), Rod Kobayashi sensei from LA Aikikai (who
eventually
established the Seidokan Aikido organization), Koretoshi Maruyama (who Tohei named
as his
successor 1990 but eventually formed his own organization Aikido Yuishinkai). Up until this point Aikido schools worldwide were all connected as one
group. (except for earlier styles such as Yoshinkan and Tomiki Aikido) |
1974
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Due to philosophical and/or political reasons
Tohei sensei resigned from Hombu Dojo and specialize in what he thought should be
emphasized in Aikido: KI, He named his school "Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido" (Aikido
with mind and body as one). The ripples of this split were felt worldwide and everyone
was told to choose sides, Tohei stated his school was Ki–Aikido. Regardless, shihans
around the world had to choose. (The choice I believe was one of allegiance, not of
this style vs that style) Many stayed loyal to Osensei thus staying connected with
Doshu sensei and the Hombu. Many, having studied with Tohei sensei followed him in his new
school and direction. Unfortunately the students in some schools were then told not to
practice with members of the other styles and told to fear the violence or weakness of the
other style.
Koichi Tohei taught another training session at the UWAC teaching Ki-Aikido. At this
time Koichi Kashiwaya sensei was sent to Boulder to set up a club and the UWAC was returned to
Chuck. Since 1973 a personal conflict was developing between Hirata sensei and the
original core group. One by one his senior students began to leave and by mid 1974 most of
Hirata sensei’s yudansha had left.
John Kanetomi and Doug Tsuboi began to teach classes through the Jefferson Parks
Recreational Center. With their efforts the core group was able to reunite and eventually
began practicing at the Seattle Judo Dojo (1510 S. Washington St, the oldest Judo Dojo in
the U.S.). As this group continued to practice many other students from the Seattle
Aikikai began to come and ask to join the group. With the addition of these students the
practice group had to begin teaching and develop guidelines for classes. This club
continued using the name Seattle Aikikai because the name was listed under John Kanetomi
and Nat Steiger. Also, with the agreement Tohei sensei made with the Hombu Dojo; his
schools would not use the name Aikikai. Hirata sensei renamed his school at that point
Seattle Ki Society. Koichi Kashiwaya shihan is the current chief instructor of Seattle Ki
Society.
Mid 1974 Chuck Livingston joined the Aikikai and later that year turned the UWAC over to Andy
Dale.
This made the UWAC a branch of the Seattle Aikikai. The Fife Dojo established connections
with Andy Dale and John Kanetomi. Andy began teaching Aikido and Taiji at the Fife Dojo
Saturdays.
For less than a year the Aikikai was an independent club from both major Aikido
organizations. With the club growing there was a need to become an official school
connected with some shihan so promotions would be recognized. In late 1974 Lau Sensei was
asked to join the club and become chief instructor. The club was renamed Washington
Aikikai and Lau sensei established it as a branch of the Hawaii Aikikai. Due to Lau
sesnsei’s work he wasn’t able to teach or visit the dojo regularly. Instruction
at this time was conducted by Andy. The founding board of the Washington Aikikai was:
Bernard Lau, John Kanetomi, Doug Tsuboi, Nat Steiger, Andy Dale, Chuck Livingston. |
1976
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Mary Heiny, (3rd dan at this time)
after years of intensive study in Japan decided to settle in Seattle, her home town. When
Mary arrived she guest taught at the UWAC and Washington Aikikai. From the start Mary had
a vision of setting up an Aikido school and quickly after arriving she established the
Seattle School of Aikido. Shortly afterward many students having studied with Mary from
northern California moved up to the northwest to study with Mary. Pam Cooper being one who
eventually opened the West Seattle School of Aikido. Koretoshi Maruyama gave a seminar
for Seattle Ki Society teaching Shinshintoitsu Aikido. |
1978
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The shihans in the U.S. that were connected
with and supported by the Hombu dojo divided the U.S. into regions under their control.
The purpose of this was to gain control of the Hombu affiliated dojos but it also served
to interfere with the connections a club had with their sensei’s sensei. Among other
things the clubs were required to get permission from the regional shihan to invite any
guest instructors from outside their area. The instruction at the Washington Aikikai was
then divided among the founding board. Lau sensei was promoted to 4th dan and
the founding board members were promoted to 2nd dan. Kiyoyuki Terata sensei, an 8th
dan in Yoshinkan Aikido visiting Seattle to see his grandson taught a special seminar at
the Washington Aikikai. |
1979
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In late 1979 with Lau sense’s
recommendation due to their years in Aikido, support and development of Aikido in the
northwest the board members were promoted to 3rd dan. Later this year Alex
Nakamura was voted to the governing board of the Washington Aikikai. The Washington
Aikikai helped with an Aikido workshop in Vancouver B.C. welcoming their new sensei Yukio
Kawahara sensei. Another visitor to Washington Aikikai around this time was Thomas Makiyama
8th dan, a Yoshinkan Aikido stylist who established is own
organization Keijutsukai Aikido. |
1980
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Dissatisfied with the restrictions of Aikido
and encouraged by the need for effective police techniques; Lau sensei resigned as the
chief instructor of Washington Aikikai and opened the Washington Budo Kan. John Kanetomi
became chief instructor of the Washington Aikikai. Bruce Bookman sensei arrived in
Seattle and opens the Seattle Aikikai. Chiba 6 dan,
West coast director of USAF gives a workshop in Seattle sponsored by Bookman sensei.
Larry (Koichi) Barrish opened a dojo in Everett. |
1982
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In late 1982 the Washington Aikikai founding
board decided not to renew their membership with the USAF due to politics and
dissatisfaction with the regional administration. The Dojo had an insightful workshop with
guest instructor Soke Don Angier of the Shidare Yanagi Ryu Aiki Jujitsu. |
1983 |
An Aikido workshop sponsored by the Seattle
School of Aikido featuring Mitsugi Saotome shihan, attended by the founding board gave
them a new hope for the Dojo. Saotome sensei due to politics between the USAF and the
Hombu Dojo became an independent school. He named his organization Aikido Schools of
Ueshiba (eventually Saotome Sensei was asked to rejoin the Hombu dojo). The board members,
impressed with his sincerity, skill, and deep understanding of Aikido requested to become
members off his "Aikido Schools of Ueshiba’. At that time we were welcomed as a
NW branch of his organization. A branch of the Washington Aikikai was started in North
Seattle under the name Phinney Dojo by Andy Dale. This dojo continued until 1987. A
special moment for the Washington Aikikai was when Sado Yoshioka shihan, head of Hawaii USAF
came and taught at the Dojo. |
|
1984 |
Hiroshi Ikeda shihan gave
workshops in Washington and Vancouver B.C. Aikido and Ki-Aikido flourished.
|
|
1985 |
Pam Cooper, a student of Mary Heiny, established the West Seattle School of
Aikido.
M. Saotome shihan visits Washington Aikikai. |
| 1986 |
Mary Heiny relocates to Canada,
George Ledyard becomes chief instructor of Seattle School of Aikido. |
| 1989 |
George Ledyard, a student of M.
Saotome shihan and Mary Heiny, established the Aikido Eastside.
Jonathan Bannister, student of Shuji Maruyama shihan opens Aikido Kokikai Seattle. |
| 1990 |
Seikikai Aikido Dojo established by Parks Sensei and Kangas Sensei . |
| 1991 |
Joanne Veneziano, a student of Mary Heiny opens the Emerald City Aikido Dojo.
The Washington Aikikai closes after 17 years. Many of the dojo members joined the
Seattle School of Aikido.
|
| 1995 |
Kimberly Richardson (a student
of Mary Heiny) opened the Two Cranes Aikido Dojo
Aikido Northshore is opened by Lee Crawford, a student of M. Saotome and H.
Ikeda, in Kirkland WA |
| 1996 |
Puget Sound Aikikai established by (Malory Graham, Frits
Haberman and others) students of Seattle Aikikai (Bruce Bookman's dojo). |
| 1997 |
"Nihon Goshin" Aikido school in Redmond opens, David Morris
sensei |
| 1998 |
Emerald City Aikido has a big celebration for Mary Heiny’s 30 years in the
art of Aikido.
Andrew Dale established the Xin Qi Shen Dojo.
One World Aikido Dojo opens in Lake City. |
| 1999 |
Bruce Bookman changes dojo name
to Tensan Aikido. |
| 2000 |
Marvin Bookman (3rd dan Aikikai,
student of Y. Yamada), establishes Aikido Tacoma (an independent dojo) |
| 2002 |
Will Holloway opens Heiwa no
Aikido Dojo (ASU) in Lynnwood WA |
| 2004 |
The West Seattle Aikikai is
opened. Chief Instructor Darren McKee student of Shihan Mistugi Saotome & Hiroshi
Ikeda and extensive training with Shihan Shoji Nishio |
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greater information about the Aikido world
can be found at:
www.aikidojournal.com
Originally written Feb 1985, redone 2005
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www.wuji.com
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