Our community suffered a great loss in 2024 with the passing of Prof. Erik Fredricksen. He was a founding and long-time member of Huron Valley Aikikai and its predecessor groups that have since given rise to the Michigan Budokan. We quite literally would not be here today without his decades-long support, efforts, and friendship.

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Erik served as chair of the Department of Theatre & Drama at the University of Michigan for many years after already having established himself as an actor and teacher of the highest caliber. He was a founding member and past president of the Society of American Fight Directors, holding the rank of Fight Master, and was a founding member of the Nordic Stage Fight Society. Erik held instructor rank with the National Fencing Coaches Association and was a Sandan (third-degree Black Belt) ranked Aikidoist and Fukushidoin (instructor) with Birankai North America and a long-time practitioner of Iaido. You can read more about Erik here.

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Erik loved training and sharing his knowledge with others. In his honor the Michigan Budokan has established the Erik Fredricksen Memorial Fund to support individuals at important junctures in their own training in martial arts, stage combat, and other mind-body disciplines. This support will take the form of direct financial assistance as our resources allow. ​