Aikido Tacoma Aikikai

Mission

Aikido Tacoma Aikikai is dedicated to sharing aikido to empower youth and adults in the South Puget Sound. Through rigorous physical training, aikido develops harmony and well-being inside ourselves and throughout our world.

Tacoma Aikikai embraces traditional aikido training, rooted in the lineage and culture of Japanese martial traditions. We are committed to creating a inclusive and supportive dojo, mutually respecting people of all race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, background, faith, age, and ability.

Training at Tacoma Aikikai includes both empty hand (tai-jitsu) and aikido weapons (jyo, bokken, and tanto), as well as iaido (Japanese sword) and zazen meditation.

Tacoma Aikikai is affiliated with the Aikikai World Headquarters and Birankai North America.

What’s Happening

Aikido is a modern martial art developed in Japan by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), known by his students as O-Sensei. While expressing many attributes of traditional Japanese martial traditions, aikido emphasizes physical practice to unite the body, mind, and spirit. Known as “the way of harmony”, aikido neutralizes an opponent’s attacks through blending, joint locks, and throws. This provides practitioners with a choice when encountering conflict.

Training in aikido is physically rigorous.  However, aikido techniques do not rely on strength. Because of this, people of all ages, sizes, and abilities can enjoy practice. Through sincere and rigorous training, aikido empowers students with confidence in conflict resolution, improved fitness and flexibility, and an overall sense of well-being.

Instructors

Ea Murphy (Dojo-cho) has studied aikido since 2000 in both the US and Japan. She started her training at Eugene Aikikai, followed by 10 years at Siskiyou Aikikai. In 2013, she moved to Japan to apprentice with Yoko Okamoto Sensei and Chris Mulligan Sensei of Aikido Kyoto. She founded Tacoma Aikikai in 2016, after returning to the US. She holds the ranks of Godan (5^th degree black belt, aikikai) and Shidoin (certified teacher).

Eric Gillet began training aikido in Belgium in 1983. He moved to Berkeley, California in 1993 to study under I. Shibata Sensei as uchi deshi. Eric Sensei has co-run Tacoma Aikikai since 2017, teaching aikido and heading the iaido program. He holds the ranks of Godan (5^th degree black belt, aikikai) and Shidoin (certified teacher).