On Aikido magic & new beginnings

This a cross-posted article that has also been published in the Spring 2026 BC Aikido Federation (BCAF) Newsletter. Heart & Hands Owner/Operator, Christina Chan has written about her recent travels to Japan (Nov 2025), with a specific focus on her Aikido training as per request of BCAF board member and fellow Victoria Aikido Centre senpai, Barb Wolfe.

A brief glossary of Aikido/Martial Arts terminology is posted at the end of this article.

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In late 2024, I was struggling with depression and I realized that either I start anti-depressants again or I return to a formal practice. I had previously began my Aikido journey at another dojo for a few months back in 2018 that has since disbanded. It was a leap of faith as I was uncertain my body and sensitive nervous system could handle returning to martial arts. But, I was being called back to this lineage and to pick-up where I left off and I stepped back on the mats at Victoria Aikido Centre (VAC) January 6, 2025.

So obviously being in the homeland of Aikido, I needed to hit the mats. I visited 4 Aikikai-affiliated dojos – Hombu (Tokyo), Fukaya (Saitama), Sandokai (Kyoto) and Isshinkai (Tokyo), attending a total of 6 classes. Beyond training, I spent my time bopping around Tokyo and Kyoto, trying to check off as many items off my very full itinerary, clocking a super-human number of steps, taking in the novel new environment and experiencing how busy cities of this magnitude can be. I made new connections Aikido and otherwise, that give me reasons to circle back to Tokyo, Kyoto and funny enough, Toronto, new and old friends I plan to visit during the 2026 CAF annual summer camp. Visiting Japan has been a lifelong dream and this trip albeit it brief, has been an exciting, action-packed adventure to experience something completely different.

New friends in Kyoto: Brandon from Toronto (left), Crystal in Kyoto (centre), Shizuka in Kyoto (right)

This is a recap of my visit to these dojos with a few details of my travels sprinkled in for colour commentary…an open mind and big gratitude for all of this Aikido magic:

From the moment landing at Narita Airport, my trip has been one of cultural immersion, divine intervention and trial by fire. From temple hopping and bath housing to numerous maddening interactions due to of the language barrier and not being able to tell the difference between the 5 cent and 50 cent coins, I will be processing this trip for many months to come.

Once we parted ways, I took the Takasaki Line 1.5 hr north of Tokyo, to the country side town of Okabe in Saitama prefecture. The plan was to meet my Aikido sibling, Alex…except that I missed my stop because the train door didn’t open at the station, not realizing I had to manually open doors at quieter stations. This was followed by trying to make the dash at the subsequent station to correct course, only to unknowingly drop my cellphone on the train tracks setting in motion a ridiculous, wild goose chase. Luckily Alex spoke Japanese and I somehow managed to retrace my steps and eventually, I recovered my cellphone and things were back on track (haha).

Stressy, memorable adventures in Okabe with Alex Frieson-Chan,
grateful to be reunited with my precious cellphone :P

Saturday Nov 22, I get the full Fukaya Aikikai immersion as Alex’s guest to a Roku Dan (6^th degree black belt) promotion party, where the dojo’s 2 head instructors Nagano Sensei and Nakayama Shihan who have both trained together since 5^th kyu, were both promoted to 6^th Dan. Both Nagano-san and Nakyama-san were pretty excited about my “Canadian” gifts of smoked Pacific salmon and Czech chocolate covered almonds. As someone who barely speaks any Japanese, nor consumes alcohol, it was a hilarious time experiencing first hand nomikai (social drinking) culture. But also a little taken aback by how uninhibited and forwardly affectionate some of the members were, I guess the culture of filling someone else’s empty glass and the giant bottle of sochu being passed around served as a social lubricant and by the end of the evening, every so often someone would sloppily attempt to put me in a Sankkyo or Yonkkyo. The opulent Japanese spread was maybe worth putting up with the weird, drunken antics…?

Photo on right (left to right): Nagano Shihan, Alex Frieson-Chan, Christina Chan, Nakayama Shihan

Sunday Nov 23 was a double-header – Alex and I painfully woke up at 5:45am for the 1.5 hr train ride into Tokyo. We made it to Shinjuku bright and early to our respective Sunday morning classes at Aikikai HQ, Hombu dojo. I attended first ever class at Hombu, a dynamic beginner’s class with Irie Shihan. It was a class of mixed genders, ages and mudansha levels. I got to experience my first class completely in Japanese, which surprisingly was fine because relied on my eyes and I “spoke” Aikido. We cycled through all the basics, tenkan, Shomenuchi Ikkyo, Nikkyo, Sankkyo, Yonkkyo, Yokomenuchi Iriminage and Kokyodosa. I did offer a bit of support for a few very beginner students through gestures and thumbs ups, under Sensei’s observation. Post-training, we carbo-loaded on mazesoba and had a wander through Shinjuku before caught the train back to Okabe for an evening class at Fukaya dojo.

Christina’s inaugural visit to Aikakai Mecca, Hombu Dojo in Shinjuku, Tokyo

Sunday evening practice at Fukaya was a trial by fire being roped into testing practice as both Alex was preparing for his Shodan and Matsumura-san, his 2^nd Kyu. Nakayama Sensei just kept calling out techniques in rapid succession, I got to learn very quickly what techniques I did and didn’t know as a 4^th Kyu, which was many. It was brain melting to recognize the names of techniques, but not have enough time to figure out how the entry flows into the technique before another technique was called. But, I had an excellent selection of patient Yudanshas to practice with, my favorite being Kaokubo-san (grey zip-up hoodie), 40 yrs of training and counting, bonus that he spoke English. A sweaty, non-stop 2 hr practice, the Fukaya folks like to play hardball, but in the warmest, most welcoming way.

Left to right: Matsumura-san, Tsunoda-san, Kawakubo-san, Nagano Sensei, Christina Chan, Alex Frieson-Chan, Tezuka Sensei

Tuesday Nov 25, evening general class at Hiromi Matsuoka Sensei’s dojo, Aikido Isshinkai. Practice takes place at the Shibuya Ward Sports Center, nestled in a lovely mixed residential area. Unfortunately Sensei was away, teaching in Colombia, however Komeda-san (in the middle) led a fantastic class reviewing a good selection of techniques. Tenkan, Katatadori Nikkyo, Morotedori Juujinage, Shomenuchi Nikkyo suwari-waza, Yokomenuchi Shihonage, Tenshinage and of course Kokyodosa where Komeda-san used “Open book, show book, throw book away” to emphasize the hand positions. Lots of soft power was felt in all the techniques and I received plenty of helpful instruction through a mash-up of Japanese+English about being mindful of my posture, keeping my hands on centre, creating kazushi through triangular foot positioning between nage+uke and maintaining supple knees, which will translate into supple shoulders. This class was totally worth the stress of being crammed on busy Tokyo trains and power walking through the narrow winding streets of this little Shibuya neighbourhood in the dark.

Isshinkai Tuesday practice, left to right: Matsumoto-san, Christina Chan, Komeda-San, Nishi-San

Thursday Nov 27, a big day travelling from Tokyo via shinkansen, I attend the evening basic class at Yoko Okomoto Shihan’s dojo, Sandokai Kyoto Aikido, Kamigyo Ward. I had a chaotic time hailing a cab from Kyoto Station, but also Tuesday evening classes were completely back-to-back, children’s, followed immediately by basics, then Yudansha class, so there just wasn’t much opportunity for pictures, so I will do my best to paint a picture in words.

A little tricky to find as it is located down a narrow, pedestrian/bicycle-only side street, Sandokai is a beautiful and minimal dojo ~30 ft x 20 ft, that was packed to the gills with 2/3rds yudanshas and 1/3 mudanshas. Warm-up was vigorous and flowing, my favorite part was the progressive rocking movements of falling from kneeling to open up the hips, legs and spine. Then we partnered up with a Yudansha and launched straight into Shomenuchi Ikkyo suwari-waza, omote and ura. It was fast-paced and crowded, much like a seminar where there are body parts coming at you in all directions and you need to practice with eyes in the back of your head.

they also checked-up on whether we were also taking ukemi properly too. Okotomoto Shihan arrived to the dojo midway through class and also circulated around making necessary corrections, of which I needed some support with Kokyuho. A full and action-packed practice, I wished I had more time to make it back to this dojo, but it will definitely be on the list in future visits.

Sunday Nov 30, back in Tokyo and a little over sitting on trains as I nearly missed my shinkansen from Kyoto Station due to rush hour, I opted to skip sightseeing and circle back to Isshinkai. Hiromi Sensei teaches a 2.5 hr weapons class on Sunday afternoons. Class took place in the basement gymnasium of a high school in a quiet neighbourhood of Bukyo-hu. It took a little bit to get my bearings as students of all ages and levels gradually trickled in. At the start, Hiromi Sensei handed me a big, heavy suburi…I’ve never used a suburi, so maybe it’s supposed to be heavy…we did a few solo footwork/cutting drills as a warm up, then partnered up for a variety of tachi dori techniques. I recall practising Ikkyo, disarming from Shomenuchi, Yokomenuchi as well as some partnered cutting drills. After a full, sweaty first hour, we took a 30 minute water break. Komeda-san, from the Nov 25 class, tip-toed over and said, “Christina-san, you come with us, Hiromi Sensei’s birthday dinner? After class, yes?”, so I obviously accepted :)

Hour 2 of weapons was jo dori, striking drills, Tsuki techniques, throwing as well as Shihonage omote+ura, which I’ve never done before. So fun, fresh and provided a deeper understanding of how weapons are an extension or mirror Tachi-waza, empty-headed techniques. I also had a chance to train and chat after class with a yudansha, Peter, originally from Slovakia, but has lived in Japan for the past 7 years and was impressively fluent in Japanese! He regularly trains at Hombu, but will drop-in for Isshinkai’s weapons classes as Hombu doesn’t offer weapons training. He commented that my ukemi was pretty good for someone who had less than a year of training and he provided me with plenty of helpful instruction. He also said it was bizarre experience to speak with someone in English (rather than Japanese), which he rarely does in his everyday life. I hope we cross paths again in the future Peter, thanks for looking after me!

Ishinnkai Sunday weapons: Hiromi Matsuoka Sensei right of center, black hakama pants, Peter, upper left

I showed Komeda-san and Nishi-san on Google Maps, Vancouver Island and my home, Victoria. Through a Japanese-English mash-up learned that many members of this dojo have been training for 30+ years, which was so inspiring. The evening ended with everyone bidding their farewells in front of the restaurant and me sandwiched between a slightly tipsy Komeda-san and Nishi-san in a group hug. Isshinkai, you’re funnest, friendliest, warmest dojo. I definitely plan to visit you all again!

Tuesday Dec 2, my birthday :) I met Alex for kaitenzushi (conveyor belt sushi) in Shinjuku and then walked over to little Korea to Iwata Shokei, the family-owned business that used to dress O Sensei (Morihei Ueshiba), for brand new, PROPERLY-FITTING dogis!!! Then, we leisurely made our way to Hombu to attend two consecutive evening classes with the venerable, Osawa Shihan, our Canadian Technical Director. Being only 4^th Kyu, I had permission to join the regular class on the condition that I stayed partnered with Alex, which was a relief…we were the only two mudanshas in both classes, but Alex being 1^st Kyu. Thoroughly intimidated, I took a deep breath and buckled up.

Iwata Shokei, Christina getting dressed by the best!

Both classes began with of course, tenkan, good, clear, technical instruction on rooting down, focusing on your centre. There was Iriminage blending exercises, variations of Shihonage, Kotagaeshi, none of which were particularly difficult per se, but that speed and intensity continued to ramp up and up and up and then being asked to incorporate Jiyuwaza…by the second class, I was definitely reaching my limit cognitively, but also cardio-wise. I just did my best to stay present, not collide with another student…or Sensei and managing with my limited repertoire of techniques. I did my best to absorb what I was watching, but at times it felt more like an exercise in endurance. I definitely feel motivated to work towards leveling up. I managed to sneak downstairs in time to get a picture with the man himself. Sensei was pretty excited to hear I was from Victoria Aikikai and I told him I looked forward to see him in Toronto in July for summer camp.

While putting on my shoes in the Hombu lobby, a yudansha, Benjamin, recognized me from the Sandonkai class during my Kyoto visit. I joked that I was on a dojo tour and to keep an eye out for me cuz I plan to be back…my growing collection of martial arts coincidences, the world of Aikikai is both very large and very small ;)

Climbing out of the tiger’s cage, I was sweaty, dishevelled and happy.

Our Canadian Technical Director, Hayato Osawa Shihan and Christina in front of the placard of O Sensei

I landed in Japan with a immense amount of emotional luggage. I was contemplating whether to remain in a dysregulating 2 year acupuncture mentorship program, but also holding in my heart a few people in precarious health just as I was a few years ago as well as receiving the news that a dear friend passed to the other side.

Bewildered, wide-eyed and feet completely trashed, this trip has been challenging, rewarding and not at all one of leisure. Experiencing Tokyo for the first time was immensely overstimulating and frustrating at times between the crowds, trains, language barrier and my foreigner Western brain just finding so many systems unintuitive. There were many times on this trip that I just felt like an incompetent child, which has been humbling and enlightening. Japan, you’ve schooled me.

Overall, the feedback I’ve received is that I’m strong and solid 4^th Kyu, and surprise that I had only started in January 2025. Everyone could tell I had a good Sensei, so really, I should really thank my wonderful instructors at Victoria Aikido Centre, Scott MacPhail Shihan, Bob Moline Shihan as well as all of my fellow senpai. I have the blessing of good foundation to build my Aikido journey upon and I am the product of their patient, kind and impeccable instruction.

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If you are curious about Aikido,
Victoria Aikido Centre always welcomes beginners!

Adult beginner (18+) classes take place Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:00 – 7:15pm.

Juniors (8-17 yrs of age) classes Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:15 – 7:15pm,
Saturdays, 9:15 – 10:15am

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Glossary of Martial Arts Terms

Aikikai – refers to the main lineage and organization of Aikido, the Japanese martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba (O Sensei), centered around the Aikikai Foundation and its Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan, focusing on blending with an attacker’s motion for self-defense, emphasizing harmony and spiritual development over physical force. It’s the official, world-recognized style of Aikido, promoted globally through federations like the International Aikido Federation.

Aikidoka – a practitioner of Aikido.

Dojo – a place where people practice judo, karate, or another Japanese martial arts. In Japanese, dōjō means “place of the Way,” and the earliest dojos were areas within Buddhist temples where immersive training occurred, including meditation practice.

Wing Chun – is a concept-based Chinese martial art and close-quarters combat system, known for its efficiency, directness, and simultaneous attack and defense, popularized by Ip Man and Bruce Lee. It focuses on using an opponent’s force against them, centerline theory, tactile sensitivity, and simple, rapid-fire punches, making it effective for self-defense against larger opponents. Key principles include straight-line attacks, economy of motion, and maintaining structure.

Sifu (Cantonese pronunciation of Mandarin, “shīfu”) – is a respectful Chinese term for a skilled master or teacher, particularly in martial arts, translating to “teacher-father,” signifying deep mentorship beyond mere instruction. It denotes a high level of expertise, guiding students in techniques, philosophy, and ethics, similar to the Japanese “Sensei”. While used broadly for skilled tradespeople (cooks, drivers, craftsmen), in martial arts, it’s a title earned through years of training, often implying a family-like bond.

Dan (level) – refers to the black belt ranking system in Japanese and Korean martial arts (like Judo, Karate, Taekwondo) and Go (board game), with “Dan” meaning “step” or “stage,” indicating increasing mastery from 1st Dan (Shodan) up to 10th Dan (Judan) in certain martial arts. In Aikikai, the system goes up to 8th Dan.

Kyu (level) – refers to a colored belt rank in Japanese martial arts (like Karate, Judo, Aikido) or other skill-based systems (like Go), representing a student’s progression below black belt, starting from a high number (like 10th kyu for beginners) and counting down to 1st kyu (highest student rank) before Dan (master) ranks begin. In the Aikikai system, Kyu levels can begin at 7th (often for children’s classes) up to 1st Kyu where adult students remain with a white belt until they gain their 1st Dan (Shodan, 1st degree black belt).

Sensei – a teacher of martial arts, most often Japanese.

Shihan – a Japanese honorific title meaning “master instructor” or “expert teacher”, used in Japanese martial arts (like Karate, Judo, Kendo, Aikido) and traditional arts, signifying deep mastery, wisdom, and the ability to lead and innovate, often granted to high-ranking instructors (around 5th Dan or higher) by their organization, distinct from belt rank but implying a deep responsibility to guide students beyond mere technique.

Yudansha – general term for someone who has earned a black belt rank.

Mudansha – general term for someone within white belt ranks.

Tenkan – in Japanese martial arts, especially Aikido, refers to a fundamental 180-degree body turn or pivot, often combined with an entry (irimi) to redirect an opponent’s attack, repositioning the practitioner to be back-to-back with them for follow-up techniques like throws. It’s a core footwork (ashi sabaki) move, involving stepping and turning on one foot, blending with energy, and changing direction to evade force, allowing for a seamless transition into offensive or defensive actions.

Kokyudosa is a fundamental, often seated (suwari-waza), Aikido exercise designed to train the coordination of breath, mind, and body, specifically focusing on projecting an opponent’s energy (kokyu) without relying on physical strength. It involves connecting to a partner’s center, using “breath power” to disrupt their balance, and projecting them using minimal force.

Kyo – in Aikido, refers to “teaching” or “principle,” and Ikkyo is the first of the traditional five core pinning techniques (Kyo Waza), literally the “First Teaching” or “First Principle,” focusing on controlling an opponent’s center by controlling the inside of their elbow to unbalance them and create openings, often serving as a foundation for other techniques. This will progress to subsequent techniques Nikkyo, Sankyo, Yonkyo and Gokyo.

Nage – the person who applies a technique, commonly translated as “thrower” or “projector”. The nage executes techniques by blending with an attacker’s (uke) energy, using movement and timing to redirect momentum and neutralise attacks through throws or pins, rather than relying on brute force.

Ukemi – is the Japanese martial arts term for the art of falling safely, essential in Judo, Aikido, and similar arts, teaching practitioners to break a fall to avoid injury through techniques like forward rolls (mae ukemi) and backward falls (ushiro ukemi). It’s an active skill, not passive, involving controlled movements to absorb impact, often practiced as a warm-up and conditioning, focusing on rolling over large body parts and slapping the mat to disperse force.

Omote is a Japanese term meaning “front,” “surface,” “face,” or “outside,” representing the public-facing side of something. It is commonly used to describe physical appearances, the obverse side of a coin, or the public, conventional, or apparent aspect of a person or situation. It is the opposite of ura (back, hidden, or inner side).

Dogi – also called a gi or keikogi, is the traditional white uniform worn for Japanese martial arts like Karate, Judo, Aikido, or Kendo, consisting of a jacket, pants, and a belt (obi) to signify rank, designed for freedom of movement and equality among practitioners. The term emphasizes it’s a training uniform (kei-ko-gi) or way uniform (do-gi), with specific styles varying by martial art, such as shorter sleeves for Karate or thicker fabric for Judo.

Hakama – is a traditional Japanese garment, like wide, pleated, skirt-like trousers, worn over a kimono for various formal occasions, martial arts (like Kendo, Aikido, Iaido), and traditional events like graduations, historically worn by samurai and nobility, now by both men and women. They feature distinctive pleats and ties, offering freedom of movement and covering the kimono’s hem for ease of wear.