Morihiro Saito

Morihiro Saito
斉藤 守弘 Saitō Morihiro
Born (1928-03-31)March 31, 1928
Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
Died May 13, 2002(2002-05-13) (aged 74)
Iwama, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
of cancer
Native name 斉藤 守弘 Saitō Morihiro
Nationality Japanese
Style Aikido
Teacher(s) Morihei Ueshiba
Rank Shihan, 9th dan
Notable relatives Hitohiro Saito

Morihiro Saito (斉藤 守弘 Saitō Morihiro, March 31, 1928–May 13, 2002) was a teacher of the Japanese martial art of aikido, with many students around the world. Saito's practice of aikido spanned 56 years, from the age of 18, when he first met aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, until his death in 2002.[1]

Early life

Morihiro Saito was born in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, on 31 March 1928. Growing up in a poor farming village in the 1930s and early 40s, he recounted having the same interest in historical heroes such as Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi and Goto Matabe as most other Japanese boys. In the Japanese schools at that time, the martial arts of kendo and judo were taught to students, and Saito chose to study kendo.[2]

In the years immediately following the end of World War II, the carrying of weapons of any kind, as well the practice of martial arts, was prohibited by the GHQ. As a result, Saito felt he should study some kind of unarmed self-defense technique, and began training in Shinto-ryū karate at the Shudokan in Meguro. After a short time, his work with the Japanese National Railways transferred him to Iwama, and he was forced to find other martial arts training. Thinking judo would be a useful complement to his kendo and karate skills, he began training at a judo dojo in Ishioka. In the summer of 1946, however, Saito heard stories about an "old man doing strange techniques up on the mountain near Iwama." It seemed that people were confused about what martial art, exactly, this old man was practicing, but one judo instructor said the man was teaching "Ueshiba-ryū Judo."[2]

Meeting aikido's founder

By July 1946, the GHQ-imposed ban upon the practice of martial arts had forced Morihei Ueshiba into an official "retirement" from practice for several years. Ueshiba took this opportunity to seclude himself in the small town of Iwama, and was engaged in the practice of ascetic training (shugyō), and some believe that it was during this period that Ueshiba was perfecting the practice of aikido.[3]

It was at this time, at the age of 18, that Saito joined Ueshiba for training, which already included then live-in students Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Koichi Tohei, and Tadashi Abe. This early training was quite brutal, but after persevering for several years, Saito became one of Ueshiba's closest students. Much credit is given to the fortuitous work schedule Saito had with the Japanese National Railways, where Saito worked 24 hours on, 24 hours off. As a result, Saito was often the sole training partner of Ueshiba, and had the unique opportunity to train with Ueshiba in the practice of the sword and short staff, which occurred early each morning before the other students arrived.[3]

Training

Training at the Iwama dojo consisted of a great deal of farmwork. The life of the full-time live in students consisted of prayer each morning before sunrise, two meals of rice porridge each day, and training interspersed with copious amounts of work on the farm. As a result of Saito's 24 hours on, 24 hours off, position with the National Railway meant that he would train and live as a live-in student only every other 24 hours. Eventually, the other live-in students moved away, and when Saito returned from work, he would train alone with Ueshiba.[4]

Although other students such as Koichi Tohei trained with Ueshiba for more years than Saito did, Saito's work allowed him to train almost as an uchideshi, for long periods as the only student.

From 1946 until Ueshiba’s passing in 1969, Saito served as Ueshiba's assistant in a variety of ways at Iwama while his wife served Mrs. Ueshiba. During Saito’s period as a deshi he taught classes in the Iwama dojo.

Ueshiba's death

Before his death Ueshiba gave Morihiro Saito the responsibility of carrying on the teaching at the Iwama dojo and also the position of caretaker of the Aiki Jinja located in Iwama.

Training methodology and philosophy

Saito's instruction of aikido is particularly remembered for its emphasis upon the basics of aikido, and especially upon the relationship between the armed and unarmed aspects of the art.[5]

Kazuo Chiba, a live-in student (uchideshi) of Ueshiba at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, recalled in particular the intensity of the training that occurred at the Iwama dojo,

“ A large portion of the membership at Iwama Dojo consisted of local farmers, hard workers who spent all day in the fields. They had thick bones and great physical strength, combined with a peculiar local character known as “Mito kishitsu,” a type of manliness close to gallantry. Altogether, it was quite an opposite culture from Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. Because it is in the capital of Japan, Hombu’s membership consists of white-collar workers, intellectuals, businessmen, politicians and university students.

Any members who came to visit Iwama Dojo from Hombu must have looked pale and weak from city living to Iwama members. Indeed, the Iwama students treated us from Hombu as such and challenged us vigorously. It was a matter of survival for members from Hombu Dojo, including Hombu uchideshi like myself. And Saito Sensei was on top of that mountain, which we had to climb with all our might.[6]

 ”

Chiba also emphasized Saito's focus upon katai-keiko (固い稽古), or vigorous practice without holding back, which Ueshiba taught and Saito demonstrated in his methods of teaching and practice. Apparently, this rigorous training with Saito, which Ueshiba would often observe, also included intense conditioning exercises, as well as general farmwork that students at the Iwama dojo were expected to assist with.[6]

Other students of Saito attest to his commitment to carry on Ueshiba's legacy, and to follow and preserve Ueshiba's teachings as Saito had learned them.[7] Saito believed that striking techniques (atemi) are a "vital element" of aikido, and also that the principles of swordsmanship formed the basis of aikido techniques. He also advocated training to cope with the attacks of other martial arts, such as the kicks practiced in karate.[8]

According to Saito's son, Hitohiro Saito, Saito believed that the basis of all empty-handed, sword, and staff techniques was the mastery of aikido's basic posture (hanmi). Saito believed that once the correct posture was mastered, the next step was to develop a proper kiai (sometimes translated as "spirit shout").[9]

Legacy

In the beginning of the 1970s, aikido students from outside Japan began traveling to Iwama to train under Saito. Later they would return to their native countries to teach what they had learned. There were also a small number of Japanese students of Saito who travelled abroad to teach Aikido, such as Takayasu-shihan.

The kind of aikido that Saito's students do is often referred to as Iwama aikido or Iwama style. In the West, Saito, along with many of his students, formed a dan-ranking network of dojos called Iwama Ryu, with ranks received directly from Saito rather than or in addition to those from the Aikikai although Saito never left that organization.

Saito family line

After Saito's death, his son Hitohiro formed the independent Shinshin Aikishuren Kai (神信合気修練会). Some of the Iwama Ryu network dojos joined Hitohiro while others including some of Saito's longest students chose to remain affiliated with the Aikikai.

Hitohiro had already been the main instructor at Iwama dojo. Like the Aikikai Doshu, he does not claim a dan rank.

Senior (6th, 7th and 8th Dan) Direct Students

Portugal Tristão da Cunha 8th dan[10]
Italy Paolo Corallini 7th dan[11]
Sweden Ulf Evenås 7th dan[12]
United States Hans Goto 7th dan[13]
United States Patricia Hendricks 7th dan[14]
United States Kim Peuser 7th dan[15]
Japan Kenichi Shibata 7th dan[16]
Australia Saburo Takayasu 7th dan[17]
Philippines Dennis Tatoian 7th dan[18]
Italy Alessandro Tittarelli 8th dan[19]
United States William Witt 7th dan[20]
Netherlands Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros 6th Dan[21]
United Kingdom Tony Sargeant 6th Dan[22]
United States Mark Larson 6th Dan [23]
France Philippe Voarino 6th Dan[24]
United States Bernice Tom 7th Dan[25]
United States Stephanie Yap 7th dan[26]

Published works

Books

Film

References

  1. ↑ Pranin, Stanley (2007). "Saito, Morihiro". Encyclopedia of Aikido. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
  2. 1 2 Pranin, Stanley (December 1978). "Interview with Morihiro Saito (1978)". Aiki News 32. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  3. 1 2 Pranin, Stanley; Dan Palmer (1994). "Morihei Ueshiba & Morihiro Saito". Aikido Journal 101. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
  4. ↑ Pranin, Stanley (Fall–Winter 1996). "Morihiro Saito Celebrates 50 Years in Aikido". Aikido Journal 109. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  5. ↑ Pranin, Stanley (2007). "Iwama-Style Aikido". Encyclopedia of Aikido. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
  6. 1 2 Chiba, T.K. (2002). "Remembering Morihiro Saito Sensei". Biran, the Aikido Journal of Birankai/USAF-Western Region. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  7. ↑ Pranin, Stanley (2007). "Remembering Morihiro Saito Sensei". Aikido Journal. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  8. ↑ Pranin, Stanley (1991). "Interview with Morihiro Saito". Aiki News 88. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
  9. ↑ Tanaka, Sonoko (1998). "Interview with Hitohiro Saito". Aikido Journal 113. Retrieved 2007-08-13.
  10. ↑ Publicada por Dentou Iwama Ryu. "Iwamanews: Omedetou Gozaimashita, Mestre!!!". Iwamanews.blogspot.pt. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  11. ↑ "Paolo Corallini Shihan". Taai.it. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  12. ↑ "Ulf Evenas Aikido Center - Aikido masters - U. Evenas Sensei". Aikido.lt. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  13. ↑ "Hans Goto Sensei". Baymarinaikido.com. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  14. ↑ "About Sensei - Aikido of San Leandro". Aikido-sanleandro.com. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  15. ↑ "Welcome". Aikido Institute. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  16. ↑ "Shiogama Aiki Shuren Dojo". A.biglobe.ne.jp. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  17. ↑ "Saburo Takayasu Sensei | Aikido Australia - Takemusu Aiki Association". Aikidoaus.com.au. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  18. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 13, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Il Maestro" (in Italian). Aikido Dento Iwama Ryu. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  20. ↑ "Bill Witt Shihan". Aikido Silicon Valley. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  21. ↑ "Traditional Aikido". Traditionalaikido.eu. 2010-01-29. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  22. ↑ "poole-aikido.com". Poole-aikido.com. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  23. ↑ "Mark Larson Sensei (1971- ) | Minnesota Aiki Shuren Dojo". Aikido-shuren-dojo.com. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  24. ↑ "Philippe VOARINO - 7ème DAN | Takemusu Aiki Intercontinental". Aikidotakemusu.org (in French). Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  25. ↑ "Instructors б╩ Sunset Cliffs Aikido - San Diego". Sunsetcliffsaikido.com. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  26. ↑ "About Sensei - Aikido of South Florida". aikidosouthflorida.com. Retrieved 2016-04-01.

External links

Preceded by
Morihei Ueshiba		 Dōjōcho of Iwama Dōjō
1964-2002 		Succeeded by
Hiroshi Isoyama
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, May 03, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.