Yoko Okamoto ( 6th Dan )

Started Aikido at Aikikai Hombu Dojo; the world headquarters in 1977 with late Doshu Kissyomaru Ueshiba, then continued in France (1979-1981) with Christian Tissier Shihan. Upon returning to Japan, continued training with shihans in Hombu dojo following mainly late Seigo Yamaguchi Shihan, and I. Shibata shihan (Current Berkeley Aikikai Dojo-cho)

Established Portland Aikikai in Portland Oregon, in 1991, assumed a role of dojo-cho (chief instructor) until her return to Japan in 2003.

Started Aikido Kyoto in 2003 for development of Aikido in Japanese and international community in Kyoto.

Chris Mulligan ( 5th Dan )

Chris began his Aikido journey in 1972 in Syracuse NY under the guidance of Arif Maheter. He then trained for 2 years under the very competent direction of Frank Doran Sensei at the Stanford Aikido Club.

In 1978 he journeyed to Japan for a two-year intensive training and ended up staying eleven years. While in Japan he trained under many teachers, mostly at the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo.

Upon returning to the states, Chris, along with Yoko Okamoto, help establish Portland Aikikai under the tutelage of Yamada Sensei of NY Aikikai.

Ty Barker ( 4th Dan )

Ty began his Aikido training in 1990 and as a founding member of Portland Aikikai has studied with Chris Mulligan and Yoko Okamoto since 1992. Ty has trained in seminars with many of the shihans in the United States and completed a period of intensive training in France and the Aikikai world headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. He has taught regular classes at Portland Aikikai since 1994. Currently he holds the rank of Yondan and Shidoin.

Mike Cavalle ( 3rd Dan )

Mike started his Aikido life in 1989 at the age of 41 coincidental to the arrival of Chris Mulligan and Yoko Okamoto in Portland Oregon. The Portland Aikido community was very small then, and after several months of practicing in Community centers and school cafeterias, Chris and Yoko decided to form Portland Aikikai. Mike followed them there and has trained and taught there ever since. Currently he holds the rank of Sandan and Fukushidoin

Quin Bakaty ( 3rd Dan )

Quin first saw a demonstration of Aikido in 1987 at the Bond Street Dojo (founded by Terry Dobson) in N.Y.C. He began his Aikido training in earnest in 1992 at Portland Aikikai. With experience in Karate and Kendo he became quickly enthralled by the teachings of Okamoto and Mulligan Sensei. He was one of their first Kenshyusei (student teachers) from ’93-‘98 and began assisting Mulligan Sensei in the instruction of children around the same time. After a brief period of intensive training at New York Aikikai he returned to Portland. He currently teaches Adults at Portland Aikikai and is the director of their Children’s Program, he also teaches Aikido at Portland State University, for Portland Public Schools, and is Portland Aikikai’s resident T’ai Chi teacher. Currently he holds the rank of Sandan and Fukushidoin.

Josh Partlow ( 4th Dan )

Josh began his Aikido instruction in Los Angeles in 1991 with Jack Arnold Shihan of Aikido Daiwa. He then trained for two years at Aikido of Santa Barbara with Geraldine Tremblay and Bill Staub senseis. In 1995, Josh became a student of I. Shibata Shihan at Berkeley Aikikai where he studied for eight years. Shibata Shihan is the director of Aikido UnEnKai, and Josh continues to study with Shibata Shihan as a member of Aikido UnEnKai. He and his wife, Julia, moved to Portland in 2003.

Rick Watson ( 3rd Dan )

Rick started Aikido in 1991 at Hombu Dojo while living in Tokyo, Japan. He studied closely with several Shihans and eventually received his black belt before returning to the United States. He came to Portland and began training with Portland Aikikai. He has at various times taught beginner classes, children classes and regular classes. Currently he holds the rank of Sandan.

Craig Capistran ( 3rd Dan )

Craig was introduced to aikido in 1992 when Yoko Okamoto and Chris Mulligan Sensei's were both instructing and training regularly. After observing one class of instruction, Craig is now a 14 year veteran of Portland Aikikai and a principal instructor in the kids program as well as instructing classes during the week. Traveling often, Craig has trained in several countries bringing with him worldly knowledge in an effort to maintain the pedagogy of aikido in our dojo at Portland Aikikai