Virginia Aikikai is affiliated with the Hombu Dojo through the Midwest Aikido Federation founded by Akira Tohei. Akira Tohei had started his aikido training under his cousin Koichi Tohei right after World War II, at which time students must have already mastered another martial art. Aikido was considered a finishing school for martial artists. He began training under O'Sensei in 1956. From this experience, Tohei taught Aikido that works against any form of martial art, which philosophy is continued by Virginia Aikikai.
His style of aikido reflects that time period. In 1972, the founder sent him to Illinois to head the Illinois Aikido Club and he then founded the Chicago Aikido Center in 1975. As Tohei Sensei quickly absorbed more aikido dojos, he founded the Midwest Aikido Federation in 1977. Pat Crosby and Rich Killblane continue this tradition.
