Celebrating 20 years since Calgary Aikikai established its Victoria Branch, this anniversary weekend honours the teachers who built that lineage and brings together Fred Haynes Shihan, Jinichi Saito Shihan, and Arran Fisher Sensei for two days of training. Hosted by Eclipse Budo and Island Aikido.

Honouring our teachers

Yasuhisa Inaba Shihan

2007 · 6 Dan

Founded the Victoria Branch in 2007, fondly remembered since 2009.

Kazuo Igarashi Shihan

Since 2009 · 8 Dan · Tokyo

Continuing support and technical advisor to Calgary Aikikai.

Masatoshi Suwa Shihan

Also supported by · 7 Dan · Tokyo

Senior student of Igarashi Shihan. Supporting the Victoria Branch.

Seminar instructors

Fred Haynes Shihan

8 Dan · Island Aikido (Victoria)

Fred Haynes Shihan studied directly under Gozo Shioda in Tokyo and graduated from the Yoshinkan Professional Instructors’ Program in 1987. Internationally renowned, his engaging teaching style offers unique insights that enrich every practitioner’s training.

Jinichi Saito Shihan

7 Dan · Chiba, Japan

Saito Shihan began practicing Aikido in 1974 under Yasuo Kobayashi Shihan and continued to receive instruction from Kobayashi Shihan and Kazuo Igarashi Shihan, together with his longtime friend Masatoshi Suwa Shihan. Currently he is working to promote Aikido at the Kamatori Culture Center in Chiba through enjoyable practice, valuing fundamental movements. He also had the opportunity to honor the achievements of Inaba Shihan by attending the Aikido seminars for the 5th, 20th, and 45th Anniversary of Calgary Aikikai.

Arran Fisher Sensei

5 Dan · President & Dojo-cho, Calgary Aikikai

A student of Yasuhisa Inaba Shihan since 1995, Arran Fisher serves as President and Dojo-cho of Calgary Aikikai, continuing the dojo’s tradition while maintaining close ties with its teachers in Japan.