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 (Currently director of Aikido Un En Kai )
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 ( 6th Dan )
Chris Mulligan began training Aikido in 1972. In 1978, he traveled to Japan and ended up staying 11 years, training mostly at the Aikikai Hombu dojo.
At Hombu, he trained with all the Shihan, following mainly I. Shibata Shihan. Upon returning to the states, Chris, along with Yoko Okamoto, helped establish Portland Aikikai under the tutelage of Yamada Shihan of NY Aikikai.
|
|
Ty Barker ( 5th 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 Godan and Shidoin.
|
Senior Assistant Instructor |
|
Josh Partlow ( 5th 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 Un En Kai, and Josh continues to study with Shibata Shihan as a
member of Aikido Un En Kai. He and his wife, Julia, moved to Portland in
2003.
|
|
|
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
|
|
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.
|
|
Gregory Tomczyk ( 3rd Dan )
Gregory began studying Aikido in 1995 here at Portland Aikikai with Yoko
Okamoto and Chris Mulligan Senseis. For a period of time he trained at
Aikikai Hombu where he studied principally with Yasuno Shihan and Miyamoto
Shihan. In addition, one of his major influences is Didier Boyet Shihan. He
travels regularly to Kyoto Aikikai to continue his training with Okamoto
Sensei. Currently Gregory 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
|
|
|
