March 31, 1928 – May 12, 2002
2000. Saito Sensei in Rohnert Park, Northern California. He first came to America and California in 1974, alternating visits to the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego. He was as commanding and gracious as always. This turned out to be the final visit.
Photo: Stan Pranin for Aikido Journal
1996. Fuglsoe, Denmark. In action with the 5th kumijo. Uke: Shibata Ichiro
Photo: Mats Alexandersso, Stockholms Aikido Club, Stockholm, Sweden
1989. Los Angeles seminar. Saito Sensei demonstrates the power of deflection in the right place. Uke: Robert Ishibashi
Photo: Carlos Nogueira
1989. Saito Sensei in action with Robert Ishibashi and Peter Davis in Los Angeles.
Photo: Carlos Nogueira
1989. Saito Sensei walking with entourage, including Daniel Mizukami on the left and Robert Ishibashi. Los Angeles seminar
Photo: Carlos Nogueir
1986, September. Lake Tahoe seminar. Of this seminal group, many are still training and even running their own dojo. At that time all trained at the Aikido Institute in Oakland, California.
Photo: Bruce Klickstein
1982. Bastad, Sweden seminar. Uke: David Alexander. On this trip, he held one class in Germany and they visited Copenhagen, Denmark for several days.
Photo: Swedish newspaper clipping. Provided by David Alexander
1979 in Calgary, Canada. Stan Pranin translating for Saito Sensei
Photo: Stan Pranin
1978 in San Francisco. Bruce Klickstein and Saito Sensei in action. This was at the “Aikido of San Francisco Dojo, aka Turk Street Dojo.” Witt, Doran, Nadeau Sensei’s dojo.
Photo: Bruce Klickstein
1975-76? Sweden. First visit? Uke: Bruce Klickstein.
Photo: Bruce Klickstein