Morihiro Saito
Encyclopedia
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.
, 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.
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."
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.
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.
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
.
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,
Chiba also emphasized Saito's focus upon , 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.
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. 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.
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").
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 very few Japanese students of Saito who travelled abroad to live and teach Aikido, such as Takayasu.
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
, which could choose to receive their grades directly from Saito rather than from the Aikikai
although Saito never left that organization.
formed the independent . Some of the Iwama Ryu network dojos joined Hitohiro, while most of oldest Saito's students chose to remain affiliated with the Aikikai, some of which are in several dojo networks called Takemusu Aikido (directed in Europe by Saito's top students Paolo Corallini and Ulf Evenas.
Hitohiro had already been the main instructor at Iwama dojo
. Like the Aikikai Doshu, he does not claim a dan rank.
Paolo Corallini (Shihan 7th Dan Iwama Ryu), Italy. Saito Sensei's pupil since the mid '80's, named by Saito Sensei, in his last 10 years, as his official Representative in Continental Europe, as Top Iwama Ryu Shihan.
Ulf Evenås (7th Dan Iwama Ryu), Sweden. Named as his official Representative in Northern Europe as Top Iwama Ryu Shihan.
The Netherlands:
France:
Sweden:
Portugal:
United Kingdom:
Australia:
Denmark:
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...
, 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
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....
, until his death in 2002.
Early life
Morihiro Saito was born in Ibaraki PrefectureIbaraki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan, located in the Kantō region on the main island of Honshu. The capital is Mito.-History:Ibaraki Prefecture was previously known as Hitachi Province...
, 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...
, 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
Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi
Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi is one of the most famous and romanticized of the samurai in Japan's feudal era.Very little is known about the actual life of Yagyū Mitsuyoshi as the official records of his life are very sparse. Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi grew up in his family's ancestral lands, Yagyū no Sato,...
and Goto Matabe as most other Japanese boys. In the Japanese schools at that time, the martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
of kendo
Kendo
, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...
and judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
were taught to students, and Saito chose to study kendo.
In the years immediately following the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the carrying of weapons of any kind, as well the practice of martial arts, was prohibited by the GHQ
Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers
Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers was the title held by General Douglas MacArthur during the Occupation of Japan following World War II...
. As a result, Saito felt he should study some kind of unarmed self-defense technique, and began training in Shinto-ryū karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
at the Shudokan
Shudokan
, literally "the hall for the study of the [karate] way," is a school of karate developed by Kanken Toyama . Characteristics of Shudokan karate include large circular motions with an emphasis on covering and its own unique kata....
in Meguro. After a short time, his work with the Japanese National Railways
Japanese National Railways
, abbreviated or "JNR", was the national railway network of Japan from 1949 to 1987.-History:The term Kokuyū Tetsudō "state-owned railway" originally referred to a network of railway lines operated by nationalized companies under the control of the Railway Institute following the nationalization...
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."
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.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
Kisshomaru Ueshiba
was a prominent Japanese master of aikido. He was the son of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of aikido, and became the international leader of aikido after his father's death.-Early life:...
, Koichi Tohei
Koichi Tohei
was a 10th Dan aikidoka and founder of the Ki Society and its style of aikido, officially Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido , but commonly known as Ki-Aikido.-Koichi Tohei and aikido:...
, and Tadashi Abe
Tadashi Abe
was the first aikido master to live and teach in the west. He is considered by O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba and his students as the "Happy Aikidoka" because he was always smiling when he trained. He began training in Aikido in Osaka in 1942 and went on to train directly under the founder of the art...
. 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.
Training
Training at the Iwama dojoIwama 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."...
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.
Although other students such as Koichi Tohei
Koichi Tohei
was a 10th Dan aikidoka and founder of the Ki Society and its style of aikido, officially Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido , but commonly known as Ki-Aikido.-Koichi Tohei and aikido:...
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
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."...
.
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.Kazuo Chiba
Kazuo Chiba
Kazuo Chiba is an aikido teacher from Japan who has spent a considerable part of his teaching career in the United Kingdom and United States. He is an 8th dan in the aikido organisation Aikikai, and founder of dojos in London and San Diego, California...
, 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,
Chiba also emphasized Saito's focus upon , 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.
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. 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.
According to Saito's son, Hitohiro Saito
Hitohiro Saito
Hitohiro Saito is an aikido instructor and founding headmaster of Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai. Hitohiro is the son of Morihiro Saito. At age of seven, he started to learn aikido from Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, who cared for him as a grandson. After Ueshiba died in 1969, he...
, 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
Kiai
is a Japanese term used in martial arts. There are numerous examples of the battle cry in other cultures: kiai is perhaps primarily a development of this. In the representation of Asian martial arts in cinema and in animated cartoons, Modern Kiai are often written by westerners in Romaji as...
(sometimes translated as "spirit shout").
Legacy
In the beginning of the 1970s, aikido students from outside JapanJapan
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...
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 very few Japanese students of Saito who travelled abroad to live and teach Aikido, such as Takayasu.
The kind of aikido that Saito's students do is often referred to as Iwama aikido or 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....
. In the West, Saito, along with many of his students, formed a dan-ranking network of dojos called Iwama Ryu
Iwama ryu
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....
, which could choose to receive their grades directly from Saito rather than 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....
although Saito never left that organization.
Saito family line
After Saito's death, his son HitohiroHitohiro Saito
Hitohiro Saito is an aikido instructor and founding headmaster of Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai. Hitohiro is the son of Morihiro Saito. At age of seven, he started to learn aikido from Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, who cared for him as a grandson. After Ueshiba died in 1969, he...
formed the independent . Some of the Iwama Ryu network dojos joined Hitohiro, while most of oldest Saito's students chose to remain affiliated with the Aikikai, some of which are in several dojo networks called Takemusu Aikido (directed in Europe by Saito's top students Paolo Corallini and Ulf Evenas.
Hitohiro had already been the main instructor at 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."...
. Like the Aikikai Doshu, he does not claim a dan rank.
Top ranked students
Saito personally graded two of his students (at the same time) as 7th dan. Both have subsequently had their grades ratified by the Aikikai. This is typically the highest rank which the Aikikai awards to Westerners.Paolo Corallini (Shihan 7th Dan Iwama Ryu), Italy. Saito Sensei's pupil since the mid '80's, named by Saito Sensei, in his last 10 years, as his official Representative in Continental Europe, as Top Iwama Ryu Shihan.
Ulf Evenås (7th Dan Iwama Ryu), Sweden. Named as his official Representative in Northern Europe as Top Iwama Ryu Shihan.
Other Shihan
Saburo Takayasu 6th dan Shihan, who was present at the last class taught by O'Sensei in Iwama in 1969, trained in Aikido at both the Ibaraki University Aikido dojo and Iwama Dojo from 1967 to 1973 under the direct tutelage of Morihiro Saito Sensei 9th dan. In 1974 Takayasu Sensei travelled to Australia. He now lives in Sydney and has continued to practice and teach the traditional "takemusu aiki" form from the Iwama dojo, in Australia for more than 35 years. He also maintained a close relationship with Saito Sensei over his life and was instrumental in arranging for Saito Sensei to travel to Australia to conduct seminars in 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2000. The last seminar was attended by over 300 international aikidoka. In 2001, Takayasu sensei took a group of his students back to Iwama for a special training period with Saito Sensei. In 1980, Takayasu Sensei established the Takemusu Aiki Association to formalise the instruction and membership of clubs that had been established by his students (see www.aikidoaus.com.au). Takayasu Sensei continues to teach the Aikido of O'Sensei's Iwama dojo that he learned from his teacher Saito Sensei and grade students under the Aikikai ranking system.Other students
United States:- Bill Witt Shihan (7th Dan) , Hans Goto Sensei (7th Dan), David Alexander
- Pat Hendricks (6th Dan) and Stephanie Yap (6th dan).
- Miles Kessler, and Mark Larson (5th Dan).
- Vincent Salvatore (6th Dan)
The Netherlands:
- Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros (6th Dan),
- Jan Brand (5th dan).
France:
- Serio Jean-Marc (5th dan).
Sweden:
- Lars Göran Andersson (6th Dan).
Portugal:
- Tristão da Cunha (5th dan).
United Kingdom:
- Matt Hill (5th Dan), Justin Christou (5th Dan) who studied for more than eight years at the Iwama dojo as an uchi-deshiUchi-deshiUchi-deshi is a Japanese term for a live-in student/apprentice who trains under and assists a sensei on a full-time basis...
, Tony Sargeant and Bjorn Saw (4th Dan) .
Australia:
- Michael Field (official representative in Australia) and Michael "Mic" Marelli.
Denmark:
- Ethan Monnot Weisgard (5th dan) www.aiki-shuren-dojo.com
See also
- AikidoAikidois 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...
- Iwama styleIwama styleIwama 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....
- Paolo Corallini
External links
- http://www.saitosensei.com
- http://www.iwamaryu.it (website of Iwama Ryu first national association in the world, directed by Shihan Paolo Corallini Iwama Ryu 7th Dan, Saito Morihiro no Kyoju dai Ri)
- http://www.takemusu.org