Our Community
The Wider World
Multnomah Aikikai is a member of Birankai Intenational. Birankai was founded by T.K. Chiba Shihan to promote the free and open flow of the student-teacher relationship across the planet. Birankai is our connection to Hombu Dojo, the headquarters of both the Japanese and International Aikido Federations. Birankai also sets and upholds the testing standards for black belt and teaching certificates within our organization.
Birankai visits our dojo regularly in the form of Margaret Mathewson Sensei from the Ancient Arts Center, who visits to lead Iaido classes (Japanese sword) and Darrell Bluhm, Shihan from Siskiyou Aikikai. Bluhm Sensei is the highest ranking Birankai instructor in the Northwest and teaches classes at Multnomah Aikikai several times a year.
Part of the allure of Aikido is its sense of community. “Everywhere I have lived, my Aikido partners became important friends. I always seemed to find kindred spirits at the dojo," says Dave Dewberry. When we practice our art, we learn to physically connect body to body. These connections extend into our daily lives in so many ways and our practice partners from across town and across the world are an important facet of the jewel of Aikido.
Cascadia
Most large northwest cities and many small ones have Aikido dojos. Below is list of our regional sibling dojos. When traveling, we know we'll always be welcome to visit one of our sibling dojos. Like an extended family we have a home away from home within the Birankai community of dojos. We do attend each others' seminars every year which enables us to diversify our practice outside of our regular group of dojo partners. In addition, our dojo is proud to host the Birankai Northwest Regional seminar (featuring T.K. Chiba Shihan); we alternate years with Siskiyou Aikikai. Ancient Arts Center [Alsea, OR], Coos Bay Aikikai [Coos Bay, OR], Eugene Aikikai [Eugene, OR], Mountain Coast Aikikai [Vancouver, BC], Pacific Coast Aikikai [Sidney, BC], Port Angeles Aikikai [Port Angeles, WA] , Siskiyou Aikikai [Ashland, OR].
Portland Metro Area
Six local dojos cooperate in a web calendar of seminar's and special events at www.portlandaikido.com. The Portland dojo community connects several times a year for classes with visiting master teachers and for friendship seminars. Below is a list of local dojos.
Aikido Northwest, Budo Dojo, Ecole de Budo, Portland Aikikai, Two Rivers Aikikai. Other local students/dojos are welcome to come by to visit or contact us about inclusion on this list.
Multnomah Aikikai outside the box
Multnomah Aikikai occasionally offers demonstrations outside the dojo. If you are interested in hosting a demonstration, please contact the dojo. We also have two ongoing satellite classes in Forest Grove and at Lewis & Clark College.
The aikido classes in Forest Grove are held at 6PM on Wednesdays and Fridays. These were started in 2002 at the request of some families who called the dojo. The Forest Grove classes are taught by Dave Dewberry, Fukushidoin, Sandan. More details and an up to date schedule can be found on the Forest Grove website.
The Aikido club at Lewis & Clark College was started by Erika Merz, Shodan, in 2006. The club is open to Lewis & Clark students and faculty. Contact Multnomah Aikikai for more information.