Saito Sensei is 73. He visits his friends in various countries. He’s slowing down, but still teaches morning buki-waza and several classes, and entertains many friends at home. Hitohiro is teaching most of the classes. The Aiki Jinja acquires the large dressed stone displaying the Aiki-jinja name and a quote, and provides the perfect “I was there” photo opportunity.
Aiki Jinja
2001. Saito Sensei’s pride and joy was this large stone, with calligraphy from Abe-Sensei. The inscription reads “Aiki Jinja”.
Photo: Patricia Yarrow
Back of Aiki Jinja Stone
2001. The back of the Aiki Jinja stone. The line down the right side: “Showa jyuu-hachi nen.” (1944). The larger kanji: “Kaiso Ueshiba Morihei. Okina ken ryuu.” (Founder Ueshiba Morihei. This stone raised with respect and reverence.) Smaller kanji: “Heisei jyuu-san nen. (2001) Doushu Ueshiba Moriteru.” The stone was carved by Seiseki Abe (1915-2011), an extremely famous calligrapher from Osaka with long associations with the Ueshiba family and aikido.
Photo: Carlos Nogueira
With Bruce Choy
2001. Dr. Bruce Choy having a beer with Hitohiro Saito during the Takemusu Aiki Association (http://www.aikidoaus.com.au/), Australia visit. Seated are Oku-san and Mr Saburo Takayasu. (Personal tip from Dr. Choy: “Best not to try and keep up beer for beer with Mr Hitohiro Saito!”)
Photo: TAA Australia.
Blindfolded
2001. Saito Sensei blindfolded and Tristao laughing in the background. At the party Sensei snapped a chopstick and proceeded to blindfold himself. Following he would sing a short Japanese ditti whilst twirling the broken chopstick between his hands. At the end of the song, he removed his blindfold and the poor soul whom the broken chopstick was pointing to was made to down his/her drink in one shot. Repeat process many times.
Photo: Dr. Bruce Choy
Saitos at Home
April 2001. The Saitos at home in Iwama
Photo: Derk Minus
Sixth World Games in Akita
2001-August 18. Sixth World Games in Akita. Uke: Mark Larson, long time deshi and high flyer
Photographer: unknown
No Parking
October 2001. Mic relates: “A couple of days before the ‘Iwama Town Matsuri’, Saito Sensei was upset by visitors to the Aiki Jinja parking their cars in the small clearing across the street from Hitohiro’s restaurant. Sensei put up a sign and a barrier asking people who visit the Jinja not to park there. As you can see, it was a reasonably substantial log.” (It was still there, as of June 2002, but later was moved).
Photo: Mic Marelli
Sword
October 2001. Saito Sensei prepares to display a favorite Japanese sword. This has the feeling that Saito Sensei is offering the world what he knows.
Photo: Mehmet Dogu, Turkey
Tristao Farewell
2001. Iwama. Tristao, a long time uchideshi from Portugal, at his farewell Iwama party.
Photo: Photographer unknown