May 26-June 5, 2010
Saito Jukucho at Sein Sensei’s dojo.
Homma Kancho was accompanied by Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai no Saito Jukucho on his trip to Myanmar in May. Saito Jukucho accompanied Homma Kancho as an observer of AHAN international humanitarian projects in Myanmar.
Saito Jukucho also met with Umya Sein Sensei, Chief Instructor of the Myanmar Aikikai New Organization in Yangon. www.myanmaraikikai-neworganization.com. This meeting was actually a reunion for Saito Jukucho and Sein Sensei, who was the first uchideshi from Myanmar to train in the original Iwama Dojo under the late Morihiro Saito Shihan (Hitohiro Jukucho’s father). Saito Jukucho joined practice at Sein Sensei’s dojos in both Yangon and Mandalay. After practice, Homma Kancho, Saito Jukucho and Sein Sensei toured the historical and beautiful areas of Myanmar on a five day tour.
One morning of the tour, at the entrance of a 700 year old cave temple, under the shade of a 500 year old Bodaiju tree, Saito Jukucho instructed Sein Sensei in bokken technique. Sein Sensei listened carefully to Saito Jukucho’s instruction and both instructors practiced with serious intent. It was a memorable moment in such a beautiful and historical setting.
At Sein Sensei’s home. Center: Saito Jukucho. Left: Sein Sensei, Right: Homma Kancho
Under the bodaiju tree, Saito Jukucho and Sein Sensei.
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- At Sein Sensei’s dojo in Yangon.
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- With Sein Sensei’s Mandalay dojo students.
The purpose of this visit for Saito Jukucho was to do research for project development abroad for his own non-profit organization in Japan. A mission well realized on this memorable visit to Myanmar.