Seattle Aikido History

1967	In Seattle, an Aikido club was started by Tom Katsuyoshi 1st kyu at the Seattle Nichiren Buddhist Church. His core group of students at this dojo were: John Kanetomi, Doug Tsuboi, and Nat Steiger. (Tom eventually moved back to Hawaii)
1970	Koichi Tohei sensei 10^th dan (chief Instructor of Hombu Dojo) sent Mr. Yoshihiko Hirata, 5^th 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 1^st dan. Tom Katsuyoshi, Doug Tsuboi, John Kanetomi, and Nat Steiger were the core students. Simultaneously, in north Seattle, at the Washington Karate Association an Aikido club was started by Bernard Lau, 2^nd dan. The core of this dojo was Andrew Dale and Chuck Livingston. Lau sensei set up this dojo as an extension of the Hawaii Aikikwai, chief instructor Sado Yoshioka, 5^th 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, a Judo dojo established in 1968 (301 South Main Street). Shortly afterward Lau sensei was promoted to 3^rd 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 10^th dan.
1972	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 10^th dan visited Seattle Aikikai and taught for several days.
1973	In late 1973 Tohel sensei sent Koichi Kashiwaya 3^rd dan (currently 8^th 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 a dojo named 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 2^nd dan and trained Aikido in Japan under Hiroshi Isoyama sensei 8^th 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	Master Sid Woodcock begins to teach Shinobi Gomi Aikijitsu at Dave Haris' North Seattle School of Karate. Dave was a long time student of Master Woodcock. 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 his 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 Andrew Dale. This made the UWAC a branch of the Seattle Aikikai. The Fife Dojo established connections with Andrew Dale and John Kanetomi. Andrew 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 Andrew. The founding board of the Washington Aikikai was: Bernard Lau, John Kanetomi, Doug Tsuboi, Nat Steiger, Andy Dale, Chuck Livingston.
1976	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 Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido.
1978	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 4^th dan and the founding board members were promoted to 2^nd dan. Kiyoyuki Terata sensei, an 8^th dan in Yoshinkan Aikido visiting Seattle to see his grandson taught a special seminar at the Washington Aikikai.
1979	In late 1979 with Lau sense’s recommendation the board members were promoted to 3^rd dan from Sado Yoshioka. 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 8^th dan, a Yoshinkan Aikido stylist who established is own organization Keijutsukai Aikido.
1980	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	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 Andrew Dale. This dojo continued until 1987. A special moment for the Washington Aikikai was when Sado Yoshioka shihan, head of Hawaii USAF visited 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 teaches at 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
Originally written Feb 1985, updated 2005