News & Events Archive

(Continued...)

Island Aikido members travel to Japan for 50th anniversary

In June 2005, nine members of our group travelled to Japan to train with Shioda Sensei, visit Honbu and tour the country. Most slept right at the dojo and were taken on local tours by very welcoming students of Shioda Sensei. A kind of "Aiki-tourism" allowed the travellers to have a fabulous immersion in Japanese culture as well as train with top students and teachers in Tokyo. The group was in Japan with Aikido students from around the world who gathered for the 50th anniversary of Yoshinkan Aikido.

Read Saanich News June article about some of our group in Japan

Read Saanich News June 2005 article about our club

April 2005 visit of Yasuhisa Shioda Sensei
Son of Soke Gozo Shioda, Founder of Yoshinkan Aikido

Island Aikido was very proud to host Shioda Sensei, son of the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido at our dojo on April 29th-30th, 2005.  Sensei and his group of 19 students stayed for 4 days, touring the Victoria area and giving a fabulous seminar on the weekend.  They appeared on TV on the NewVI morning show and evening news (see photo of Shioda Sensei, Hudson Mac - news anchor - and local instructor Fred Haynes - below right).

At the seminar up to 70 people per class trained. Island Aikido members were joined by visitors from Japan, Vancouver, Nova Scotia, Ontario and the USA.

Thanks to club members who gave homestays to our visitors from Japan and across Canada, and to other members who worked hard to make this such a success.  Thanks also to our friends from the Georgetown Aikido club who flew here to join us and Shioda Sensei for this event.

See article on Island Aikido featured in the Peninsula News

Chizuko Matsuo Sensei, 6th dan - guest instructor Fall 2004

In September we were fortunate to have special clinic by Chizuko Matsuo, 6th dan and direct student of the Terada Sensei (9th dan) from Yokohama Japan. Matsuo Sensei taught a class particularly looking at self defence techniques. Her daughter, Miwako Matsuo, 2nd dan accompanied her as an uke and assistant instructor.  Matsuo Sensei was in Victoria and hosted by our club for 3 days. She then went on to Ontario for clinics at the Georgetown Aikido club.

Below: photos from Matsuo Sensei's visit

Events since our Feb 2004 opening, including Guest Instructors:

May 2004 Road trip to Vancouver for clinic with Alister Thompson 6th Dan

June 2004
from Toronto

Alister Thompson Sensei

6th Dan

July 2004
from Toronto

Jim Stewart Sensei

6th Dan

September

from Japan

Chizuko Matsuo Sensei

6th Dan

Nov 2004

from Japan

Ikio Watanabe Sensei

7th Dan

April 29-30 2005

from Japan

Yasuhisa Shioda Sensei, son of Soke Gozo Shioda, founder of Yoshinkan Aikido

8th Dan

...and many more