2/7-9/2003
Morihiro Saito Shihan American Memorial Seminar
Sponsored by Aikido Nippon Kan, this seminar was held in remembrance
of Morihiro Saito Shihan who passed away in May of 2002. (For more information see
Homma Sensei’s
tribute to Saito Shihan) The seminar was instructed by his son, Hitohiro Saito Sensei,
from Iwama, Japan and was held at the Denver Buddhist Temple here in Denver. From all parts
of the United States, Canada and Mexico, close to 300 Aikidoists gathered to attend this
special event. Hitohiro Saito Sensei was accompanied by nine students and instructors from
Japan.
The opening ceremony, dedicated to Morihiro Saito Shihan was a moving experience. The ceremony
began with the playing of the national anthems of the United States and Japan. The anthems
were followed by a prayer chant offered by Reverend Oka from the Denver Buddhist Temple.
In reference to the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba who had ties to Mongolia, traditional
Mongolian songs of remembrance were performed by well known Mongolian performers Ari and
Zula from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Homma Sensei from Nippon Kan also offered a tribute played
on the taiko drum given to him by Saito Shihan on a previous visit. Hitohiro Saito Sensei
spoke to everyone gathered and among other points offered his sympathies for the families
of the astronaut of the space shuttle Columbia. In light of the purpose of this seminar,
this sensitivity touched all of the students listening.
This seminar, although well attended by former Iwama uchideshi presently teaching in the
United States, was for students of all affiliations and styles. There was a unique blend
of students that helped make the seminar a great success on many levels.
After practicing hard under Hitohiro Saito Sensei’s instruction, students and instructors
alike celebrated at the Nippon Kan dojo with a stupendous potluck party. Each dojo performed
a song or skit they had created just for the occasion, with Hitohiro Sensei and his Japanese
crew joining in the fun with a performance of Shishimai (A Japanese good luck festival
dance). Everyone cheered and showed their support for Hitohiro Saito Sensei as the emerging
leader of the next generation of Iwama-style Aikido.
At the closing ceremony Hitohiro Saito Sensei thanked students and staff for attending
this special seminar in tribute to his father. He also spoke of his understanding and support
for Nippon Kan’s AHAN activities and presented AHAN with a donation. He closed the
day by leading a meditation prayer for peace in the world, a prayer relevant in the challenges
we face in the world we live in today.
Following the seminar, Hitohiro Saito Sensei, his Japanese crew and a crew of Nippon Kan “guides” spent
a day on the slopes, skiing and snowboarding in the Rocky Mountains west of Denver.
From all of us at Nippon Kan we would like to express our gratitude to Hitohiro Saito Sensei,
his otomo Reie-san and other members of the crew from Japan for all of their time and efforts.
We also wish to express our thanks to Stanley Pranin, Editor of Aikido Journal, who enriched
this experience with a memorial lecture on the life of Morihiro Saito Shihan, and to Patricia
Hendricks Sensei from Aikido San Leandro for serving as a wonderful translator.
Many, many thanks as always to the Nippon Kan seminar staff and all volunteers for a job
well done!
See
photos from the seminar
See what some of the attendees have said about the seminar