1981 – 2026
45th Anniversary
Special 4-Day Seminar
Early bird pricing available until Sept 1, 2026
2026 marks Tenzan Aikido's 45th year in Seattle. Join us for a special anniversary seminar October 1st through 4th, featuring guest instructors from the United States Aikido Federation and Birankai. All affiliations, all ranks welcome. *No refunds available
When
October 1–4, 2026
Thursday – Sunday
Where
Tenzan Aikido
7700 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
Contact
(206) 525-4032
dojo@tenzanaikido.com
Instructors & Guests
Host Instructor
Bruce Bookman
7th Dan, Shihan USAF and recognized by Hombu Dojo in Japan. Bookman is the founder and director of Tenzan Aikido, established in 1981. Bookman Sensei joined the New York Aikikai as a child and trained under Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan. As a 19-year-old Bruce traveled to Tokyo to train with Chiba Sensei at Hombu Dojo. His main influences were Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Yoshimitsu Yamada, Kazuo Chiba and Takeshi Mitsuzuka (Iai-do).
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Bruce Bookman has cross trained in boxing and earned a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. “Over the last 45 years it has been the most fulfilling experience to be the steward of the marvelous community at Tenzan Aikido.” – Bruce Bookman
Guest Instructor
Yahe Solomon
7th Dan, Master Instructor, trained with Mutsuro and Katsuharu Nakazono, later serving as Uchideshi to Kazuo Chiba in San Diego and Kisshomaru Ueshiba at Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. Yahe teaches Aikido in Bozeman, Montana and practices acupuncture. Solomon Sensei brings the spirit and vibration of Aikido’s golden era to our celebration.
Guest Instructor
Blue Spruell
6th Dan, Shihan and Chief Instructor of Peachtree Aikikai, is recognized by both the USAF and Aikikai Headquarters in Tokyo. He began training in Japan in 1988, studying under Okada and Nakamura Shihans, and later trained with Kanai, Yamada, and Berthiaume Shihans. Blue Sensei co-founded Dogwood Aikikai and established Peachtree Aikikai in Atlanta in 1993, where he still teaches. In addition to Aikido, he holds high ranks in Kyudo (5th Dan) and Iaido (6th Dan). Known for his clear, effective teaching style, this marks his first visit to Tenzan Aikido.
Guest Instructor
Ea Murphy
6th Dan, Shidoin, is the founder and Chief Instructor of Tacoma Aikikai, which is affiliated with Birankai International and the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan. She trained under Darrel Blume Shihan at Siskiyou Aikikai, and also studied in Japan with Yoko Okamoto Shihan. Murphy Sensei is widely respected as an outstanding teacher. Together with her partner, Eric Gillet Sensei, she has built a strong and vibrant Aikido community in Tacoma, Washington.
Guest Instructor
Ellis Amdur
Shihan of Tenshin Bukō-ryū Heihō and Araki-ryū, two comprehensive classical Japanese martial arts. In Aikido he trained at the NY Aikikai under Yoshimitsu Yamada, Bond Street Dojo with Terry Dobson, and with Kuwamori Yasunori and Kuroiwa Yoshio in Japan. He travels extensively to teach Kobudo, Aikido and collaborates with Bruce Bookman.
Guest Instructor
Don Ellingsworth
6th Dan, Master Instructor. Don is founder and Chief Instructor of Tampa Aikido, an ASU affiliate. His teachers are John Messores Sensei and Saotome Sensei. Alongside his technical expertise, Don is a passionate advocate for unity within the aikido community. He actively encourages collaboration among practitioners from diverse organizations and backgrounds by supporting instructors from USAF, ASU and other organizations.
Tenzan Instructor
Melissa Pittman Fischer
Dojo Cho, 5th Dan, Shidoin, began her practice of Aikido in 2000 at Tenzan Aikido. She has pursued her training with the same intensity that characterized her former career as a ballerina. Melissa wears many hats and has been invaluable in managing the dojo. Over the years, Fischer Sensei has distinguished herself both as a skilled practitioner and as a teacher in her own right, inspiring many students along their Aikido journey. Known for her clarity and patience, she is a gifted teacher for both adults and children.
Tenzan Instructor
Jonathan Swift
5th Dan, Shidoin, has studied Aikido with Bruce Bookman since 2004 and has long been a pillar of the Tenzan Aikido community. A yudansha in Karate and Iaido, he also practices Rinzai Zen at Dai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen Ji and leads Zen practice at Tenzan. Swift Sensei encourages presence and moment awareness, where practice becomes alive and continually reveals something new.
Tenzan Instructor
Thomas Segen
4th Dan, Shidoin, has practiced at Tenzan Aikido since childhood. He is one of the most accomplished students of Bookman Shihan. Thomas has cross trained in Brazilian Jiujitsu and kickboxing. He has joined the professional teaching staff at Tenzan Aikido where he is in training to be Bruce Bookman’s successor.
Guest
Genjo Marinello
Genjo Marinello was installed as the second Abbot of Dai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen Ji, a Rinzai temple in 1999. He is a Dharma heir of Eido Shimano in the Rinzai–Hakuin Ekaku Zen lineage. Genjo trained with the late Eido Shimano, former abbot of Dai Bosatsu Monastery in New York, who affirmed Genjo as Dharma Heir on May 21st, 2008. Genjo regularly conducts sesshins (week long intensive meditation retreats) for the Birankai at the original request of Chiba Sensei. Genjo officiated at the wedding of Bruce and Colette in 1990.
Seminar Schedule
Thu, Oct 1
10:00 – 11:00 AM
Aikido · Thomas Segen
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Aikido · Yahe Solomon
Lunch
2:30 – 3:30 PM
Aikido · Don Ellingsworth
3:45 – 4:45 PM
Aikido · Bruce Bookman
5:00 – 6:00 PM
Children's Class · Melissa Pittman Fischer
6:15 – 7:15 PM
Aikido · Ea Murphy
Fri, Oct 2
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Aikido · TBA
9:15 – 10:15 AM
Aikido · Bruce Bookman
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Aikido · Blue Spruell
Lunch
2:00 – 3:00 PM
Aikido · Yahe Solomon
3:15 – 4:15 PM
Aikido · Ea Murphy
4:30 – 5:30 PM
Zen Ceremony · Genjo Marinello
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Aikido · Blue Spruell
Sat, Oct 3
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Aikido · Melissa Pittman Fischer
9:15 – 10:15 AM
Aikido · Thomas Segen
10:30 – 11:30 AM
Aikido · Yahe Solomon
Lunch
1:30 – 2:30 PM
Aikido · Blue Spruell
2:45 – 3:45 PM
Aikido · Bruce Bookman
6:00 – 9:00 PM
Banquet
Sun, Oct 4
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Aikido · Ellis Amdur & Bruce Bookman
9:15 – 10:15 AM
Aikido · Ea Murphy
10:30 – 11:30 AM
Aikido · Jonathan Swift
Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Hands-on Healing · Yahe Solomon
| Date | Time | Session | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 1 | 10:00 – 11:00 AM | Aikido | Thomas Segen |
| 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | Aikido | Yahe Solomon | |
| Lunch | |||
| 2:30 – 3:30 PM | Aikido | Don Ellingsworth | |
| 3:45 – 4:45 PM | Aikido | Bruce Bookman | |
| 5:00 – 6:00 PM | Children's Class | Melissa Pittman Fischer | |
| 6:15 – 7:15 PM | Aikido | Ea Murphy | |
| Fri, Oct 2 | 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Aikido | TBA |
| 9:15 – 10:15 AM | Aikido | Bruce Bookman | |
| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Aikido | Blue Spruell | |
| Lunch | |||
| 2:00 – 3:00 PM | Aikido | Yahe Solomon | |
| 3:15 – 4:15 PM | Aikido | Ea Murphy | |
| 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Zen Ceremony | Genjo Marinello | |
| 6:00 – 7:00 PM | Aikido | Blue Spruell | |
| Sat, Oct 3 | 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Aikido | Melissa Pittman Fischer |
| 9:15 – 10:15 AM | Aikido | Thomas Segen | |
| 10:30 – 11:30 AM | Aikido | Yahe Solomon | |
| Lunch | |||
| 1:30 – 2:30 PM | Aikido | Blue Spruell | |
| 2:45 – 3:45 PM | Aikido | Bruce Bookman | |
| 6:00 – 9:00 PM | Banquet | ||
| Sun, Oct 4 | 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Aikido | Ellis Amdur & Bruce Bookman |
| 9:15 – 10:15 AM | Aikido | Ea Murphy | |
| 10:30 – 11:30 AM | Aikido | Jonathan Swift | |
| Lunch | |||
| 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Hands-on Healing | Yahe Solomon | |
Schedule subject to change.
Reserve Your Spot
Space is limited. Register now or contact us at (206) 525-4032 with any questions about the seminar.