November 3rd-4th 2007
Center: Hitohiro Saito Jukucho, left: Fernando Roman Sensei, right Michael Barrera Shidoin.
Two instructors were sent by Nippon Kan and AHAN headquarters to attend the US seminar instructed by Shin Shin Aiki Shurenkai Kaicho, Hitohiro Saito last November 3rd and 4th, 2007. Representing Nippon Kan General Headquarters in Homma Kancho’s absence was Nippon Kan General Headquarters Instructor Michael Barrera and AHAN Nippon Kan Central America Coordinator Fernando Roman Sensei, (AHAN Nippon Kan Mexico, Mexico Aikido, Takemusu Aikihttp://www.mexicoaikido.com.mx/). The seminar was hosted by Stephanie Yap Sensei of Aikido of South Florida (http://www.aikidosouthflorida.com/). Stephanie Yap Sensei is an IISA Instructor (Instructors in support of AHAN) who has been involved in AHAN projects with Homma Kancho in the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Korea and Mongolia.
Hitohiro Saito Sensei is the son of the late Morihiro Saito Shihan (9th Dan) who after his father’s passing formed his own organization Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai. Homma Kancho practiced Aikido at Iwama as a young man under the tutelage of Morhiro Saito Shihan for many years. Nippon Kan is not affiliated with Hitohiro Saito Sensei’s organization but because of this shared history, Homma Kancho and Nippon Kan have supported the activities of Hitohiro Saito Sensei and his new organization.