Hitohiro Saito
Encyclopedia
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
instructor and founding headmaster of Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai. Hitohiro is the son of Morihiro Saito
Morihiro Saito
Morihiro Saito 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.-Early life:Morihiro Saito was born in Ibaraki...
. At age of seven, he started to learn aikido from Morihei Ueshiba
Morihei Ueshiba
was a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....
, the founder of aikido, who cared for him as a grandson. After Ueshiba died in 1969, he continued his practice with his father. The younger Saito became official instructor of the Iwama dojo
Iwama dojo
Iwama is an important historical location from the development of Aikido. It has a famous dojo of the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, who lived there from 1942 until his death in 1969. It has become "a Mecca to the aikido community."...
in 1986 and remained so until 2004 when he separated from the Aikikai
Aikikai
The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is centered on the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Doshu . It is represented globally through the International Aikido Federation....
organization and formed his own group. Since 2009 he is also identified as Hitohira (仁平) Saito.
Personal history
Years before his father's death, Hitohiro took over the main work at the Founder's dojo and Shrine of Aiki, Aiki Jinja, thus relieving his aging father of the great amount of work required in running the campus. His father spent his last years taking care of the vegetable gardens and travelling abroad for seminars. The main teaching of the dojo was passed to Hitohiro's hands and remained so until 2004. In 2000, he inaugurated his own dojo, the Tanrenkan (鍛錬館), sponsored by his father Morihiro Saito. Upon his father's death, Hitohiro inherited his house and his dojo, built in 1990.Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai
Hitohiro Saito is the founder and leader (KaichoJapanese corporate title
Several Japanese corporate titles are roughly standardized across Japanese companies and organizations. Although there is variation from company to company, corporate titles within a company are always consistent. And the large companies in Japan generally follow the same outline...
) of a traditional Iwama style
Iwama style
Iwama Style is the style of aikido that was taught at Iwama dojo by the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, and especially the lineage passed on through Morihiro Saito, a close disciple who was given responsibility over Iwama dojo by Ueshiba....
aikido organization. It is named Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai (岩間神信合氣修練会, lit. Iwama spiritual aiki
Aiki
Aiki can refer to:* Aiki * Aiki * Aiki * Aiki FrameworkIt sometimes used as a short form for aiki arts such as:* aikido* aiki-jo* aiki-ken* aikijujutsu...
drill association). It has dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
in about 20 countries.
With the passing of Morihiro Saito (13 May 2002), Hitohiro Saito initially continued to govern the Founder's dojo and the Temple of Aikido, Aikijinja. He had also prepared to surrender these roles to the Aikikai
Aikikai
The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is centered on the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Doshu . It is represented globally through the International Aikido Federation....
, which own those properties. However, the doshu also asked for the Iwama Ryu grading certificates to cease, and in return Hitohiro asked for the Aikikai to announce in publication that the founder's original style is preserved at Iwama. The latter did not occur, and Hitohiro also came under pressures within the Iwama group. In November 2003, Hitohiro separated from the Aikikai. By February 2004 he had formed his own organisation (ISSASK).
While a number of Morihiro Saito's students preferred to remain affiliated with the Aikikai, others decided to follow Hitohiro Saito upon his break from the organization. Today he teaches full time at his own Tanrenkan and travels constantly inside Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and around the world, instructing at seminars attended by hundreds of aikido students.
Aikido style
His Aikido is known for being precise, austere and dynamic; he emphasizes aiki-jōAiki-jo
Aiki-jō is the name given specifically to the set of martial art techniques practiced with a jō , practiced according to the principles of aikido, taught first by Morihei Ueshiba , then further developed by Morihiro Saito, one of Ueshiba's most prominent students.-Development of aiki-jō:Much of...
and aiki-ken
Aiki-ken
Aiki-ken is the name given specifically to the set of Japanese sword techniques practiced according to the principles of aikido, taught first by Morihei Ueshiba , then further developed by Morihiro Saito, one of Ueshiba's most prominent students...
(the latter largely descended from Kashima Shintō-ryū
Kashima Shinto-ryu
' is a traditional school of Japanese martial arts founded by Tsukahara Bokuden in the Muromachi period .Due to its formation during the tumultuous Sengoku Jidai, a time of feudal war, the school's techniques are based on battlefield experience and revolve around finding weak points in the...
). As a teacher he is demanding, always insisting in the deep studies of the bases of Aikido as the only way to get to understand the Aikido of the Founder and of his father Morihiro Saito.
Personal life
Hitohiro Sensei is also a professional chefJapanese cuisine
Japanese cuisine has developed over the centuries as a result of many political and social changes throughout Japan. The cuisine eventually changed with the advent of the Medieval age which ushered in a shedding of elitism with the age of shogun rule...
, calligrapher
Shodo
"Shōdō" is the fortieth single by B'z, released on January 25, 2006. This song is one of B'z many number-one singles in Oricon charts. This song was the opening theme of Case Closed.- External links :*...
, painter, and sculptor. In his atelier he carves mostly traditional Japanese masks and shishigashira (獅子頭 lion mask). His wife and children also practice daily at his dojo.