Genyokan Dojo Fundraiser
Donation protected
Yoshokai Aikido is a Japanese martial art founded on the principle of Harmony - the Way of Harmony teaches Aikido students to find balanced relationships within ourselves, between training partners, and with the greater world around us. Teachings emphasize physical and emotional awareness, perseverance, and acceptance - messages that have become even more valued by Aikido students during these difficult times.
Takashi Kushida, the founder of Yoshokai Aikido, came to the United States from Japan to teach Aikido in 1973. He established the Genyokan Dojo in Ann Arbor in 1980 to serve as the headquarters dojo of The Aikido Yoshokai Association of North America (AYANA). For over 40 years, the Genyokan Dojo has not only been a home for people in the community to study Aikido, but it is also acts as the pillar that allows over 300 students of AYANA to study Aikido in 15 dojos across the United States and in Japan. After Takashi Kushida-sensei’s passing in 2012, Akira Kushida-sensei continued teaching harmony and conflict resolution through Aikido at the Genyokan.
As COVID-19 continued to spread through 2020 and lockdowns and restrictions became necessary, Akira-sensei was no longer able to teach in-person classes at the Genyokan. Sensei continued teaching Aikido to students around the world through online classes, and is now able to teach in-person classes again while following current health guidelines and regulations. As we near the one-year anniversary of COVID restrictions, the Genyokan has continued to provide students with virtual and physical opportunities to train and remain connected with the greater AYANA community. However, this year has been financially difficult for many people and as a result membership and class fees collected have reduced drastically. AYANA has always operated as a non-profit organization, so the Genyokan’s finances were never strong, but recently the situation has become very severe. It has become clear that unless action is taken, it is very possible that the Genyokan Dojo will need to be closed.
All funds raised by this campaign will be used to pay off the Genyokan’s rent debt and ensure that the dojo is able to remain open and available to all those who wish to train. All donations to this campaign, no matter the size, are greatly appreciated - Your contribution will help us ensure that Yoshokai Aikido can continue to be taught and have a positive impact on the lives of current and future students.
Thank you very much. Osu!
Takashi Kushida, the founder of Yoshokai Aikido, came to the United States from Japan to teach Aikido in 1973. He established the Genyokan Dojo in Ann Arbor in 1980 to serve as the headquarters dojo of The Aikido Yoshokai Association of North America (AYANA). For over 40 years, the Genyokan Dojo has not only been a home for people in the community to study Aikido, but it is also acts as the pillar that allows over 300 students of AYANA to study Aikido in 15 dojos across the United States and in Japan. After Takashi Kushida-sensei’s passing in 2012, Akira Kushida-sensei continued teaching harmony and conflict resolution through Aikido at the Genyokan.
As COVID-19 continued to spread through 2020 and lockdowns and restrictions became necessary, Akira-sensei was no longer able to teach in-person classes at the Genyokan. Sensei continued teaching Aikido to students around the world through online classes, and is now able to teach in-person classes again while following current health guidelines and regulations. As we near the one-year anniversary of COVID restrictions, the Genyokan has continued to provide students with virtual and physical opportunities to train and remain connected with the greater AYANA community. However, this year has been financially difficult for many people and as a result membership and class fees collected have reduced drastically. AYANA has always operated as a non-profit organization, so the Genyokan’s finances were never strong, but recently the situation has become very severe. It has become clear that unless action is taken, it is very possible that the Genyokan Dojo will need to be closed.
All funds raised by this campaign will be used to pay off the Genyokan’s rent debt and ensure that the dojo is able to remain open and available to all those who wish to train. All donations to this campaign, no matter the size, are greatly appreciated - Your contribution will help us ensure that Yoshokai Aikido can continue to be taught and have a positive impact on the lives of current and future students.
Thank you very much. Osu!
Organizer and beneficiary
Miyako Sugawara
Organizer
Ann Arbor, MI
Akira Kushida
Beneficiary
