(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 |
Alister Thompson Sensei |
6th Dan |
July 2004
|
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 |
||