Aikido Tendokai is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our founder and chief instructor Yumi Nakamura–shihan, 7th dan, in Toronto, on December 3, 2024.
In early 1992, Tendokai was established by Yumi-sensei with a small group of practitioners on gym mats in a community centre. As Tendokai grew, it relocated twice before settling in its current home on Dundas. The welfare of the club was more than a preoccupation for Yumi-sensei, it was a profound commitment to students, community, and passing on the way of Aikido.
She will be remembered by her many many students (from small children on up) for her strict standards, her humour, and her care. She pushed her students towards excellence and commitment to practice, encouraged and helped arrange their attendance at seminars, hosted xmas parties, bbq’s and post-practice dim-sums. She kept in touch with the many as they moved; sent gifts for their new babies and cards when they lost a parent.
Yumi viewed the way of Aikido and its community as integral to living a caring and meaningful life. She held a yearly memorial seminar for Kawahara-sensei, the CAF’s first technical director, honouring his commitment and the lineage they shared in passing down Ōsensei ‘s teachings to future aikidoists.
Tendokai is grateful to Yumi-sensei for all that she gave of herself and her Aikido ideals.
For more on Nakamura-sensei’s life and aikido history, See the Aikido Hokuryukai – North York Aikido Club post.
Photo Gallery of Yumi Nakamura Sensei
