Yoshinkan Aikido - Meishinkan Dojo 
Our Instructors
Gilbert James, 7th Degree Black Belt (1934-2002)
"At approximately 1:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, February 26, 2002,Sensei Gilbert James passed away. Sensei James, who had been battling cancer, had dedicated the past 40 years of his life to Yoshinkan Aikido and sharing his knowledge with countless students. He has touched many of our lives beyond the art and will be missed. Sensei James requested that he be cremated and details of his memorial will be forthcoming. On behalf of the Midwest Yoshinkai Aikido Association and the James family, I want to thank the many of you who have shared kind words and wishes to Sensei James during his struggle. Please continue to think of him when you are training. By doing so, you will make him smile as he makes corrections to our techniques from a better place. -- Kevin Bradley"
Kevin Bradley, 4th Degree Black Belt
Kevin Bradley, Yondan, is the head instructor and founder of the Fox Valley Yoshinkai Aikido Club/Meishinkan Dojo. He began his study of Yoshinkan Aikido under Gilbert James in 1983 at the Seigokan Dojo in Chicago, Illinois. Sensei Bradley also completed a year-long instructor’s course designed and taught by Sensei Gilbert James.
At the Seigokan, Sensei Bradley was an assistant instructor and is the past President of the Midwest Yoshinkai Aikido Association. He has participated in many demonstrations and clinics held by the Seigokan Dojo and has always strove to introduce new people to Aikido.
Throughout his Aikido training, Sensei Bradley has had the opportunity to travel in the United States, Canada, and Japan to attend workshops and clinics taught by many of the top Yoshinkai Aikido instructors. Hew has also brought in top international instructors for clinics held in the western suburbs.
Currently, Sensei Bradley is under the technical guidance of Sensei Robert Mustard and Sensei Jim Jeannette, both 7th degree black belts.
Other Aikido training included some time with the Aikikai system, where he achieved the rank of Ikkyu. Bradley Sensei has also trained in the Northern Shaolin Kung Fu system.
Tsutomu Chida Sensei, former chief instructor of the Yoshinkan Headquarters Dojo in Japan gave the Meishinkan Dojo its name. The word Meishinkan loosely translates to the House of Sharing Spirit”. Chida Sensei gave the Dojo that name because the Dojo began as a club that taught children with disabilities Aikido and self-defense. While this program does not currently exist, the spirit of openness and inclusion is still a major philosophy held by this dojo.
Joseph Yen, 2nd Degree Black Belt
Joseph Yen, Nidan, began his study of Yoshinkan Aikido under Sensei Bradley in 1998 at the Meishinkan Dojo in Aurora, Illinois.
Throughout his Aikido training, Joseph has also had the opportunity to travel in the United States, Canada, and Japan to attend workshops and clinics taught by many of the top Yoshinkai Aikido instructors.
Joseph earned his first Dan ranking and his instructor's certification with the IYAF in 2004.
Tony Lohmar, 2nd Degree Black Belt
Tony Lohmar first began martial arts training
at the age of seven under Sensei Gene Rife in the Ryukyu Kempo style and
holds the rank of Sandan. He is currently still studying and is an
assistant instructor to Master John Ventura.
Tony began his training in Yoshinkan Aikido in 2003 at the Meishinkan
Dojo under Sensei Kevin Bradley. In 2007 Tony received his Shodan and
was honored by having Chida Sensei present his Shodan and Instructor
certificates to him.
Tony assists in instruction of classes as needed and has always been an
active participant in seminars.