Jim Klar
Yondan - 4th Degree Black Belt
Head Instructor
Cleveland Aikikai
CASE Aikido Club
Oberlin Aikido Club
Jim Klar Sensei began his study at Cleveland Aikikai in 1987 and was awarded his shodan (first degree black belt) in 1991. In 1992, he traveled to Japan where he continued his training for two years under Ikuhiro Kubota Shihan (Nara Aikikai) and Kazuo Nomura Shihan (Osaka Aikikai).
Upon returning to the United States in 1994, he resumed his training under Saotome Sensei and became an instructor at Cleveland Aikikai. He received his nidan (second degree black belt) in 1995. In 1996 he became Head Instructor at Oberlin Aikikai. He became Head Instructor of Cleveland Aikikai in 1998. In 1999 Mitsugi Saotome Shihan awarded him the rank of sandan (third degree black belt). Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan promoted Klar Sensei to yondan (fourth degree black belt) in May of 2007.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities in Northeastern Ohio, Klar Sensei is very active in seeking out new training opportunities through travels to intensive seminars around the United States and inviting high-ranking instructors to teach here in Northeast Ohio.