About Us

East End Aikikai is the only Aikido dojo in the Pittsburgh area affiliated with the United States Aikido Federation. The United States Aikido Federation is the premier Aikido organization in the United States with direct affiliation with Hombu Dojo, Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.

Gordon Hannah (3rd Dan [3rd degree black belt]) is the chief instructor of East End Aikikai. Gordon Hannah began studying Aikido in 1978. In 1984, he moved to Cambridge, MA to study Aikido and Iaido (the art of drawing, cutting, and resheathing the sword) under Kanai Sensei (8th Dan) at New England Aikikai. Under the direction of Kanai Sensei, Gordon Hannah taught classes at New England Aikikai and Portland Aikido from 1990 until 1997. In 1997, he left New England Aikikai to pursue a doctoral degree in psychology. He has also trained in Brazilian Jiujitsu, yoga, and other martial arts. In 2005, he taught Aikido at the Indiana YMCA in Indiana, PA. He founded East End Aikikai in Pittsburgh in 2009.

Kanai Sensei

Kanai Sensei was one of the last uchi deshi (live-in apprentice) of O Sensei, the founder of Aikido. Kanai Sensei was an 8th degree black belt in Aikido and also a master of the other martial arts of Japan and expert in the use of the sword and staff. Kanai Sensei was instrumental in the founding of the United States Aikido Federation and was Technical Director for the Eastern United States. He taught widely in Japan, Europe, and throughout the United States and Canada. He passed away on March 28, 2004.