1970-Saito Sensei is 42 years old. The first foreigners arrive in Iwama. Saito Sensei begins his life mission of continuing to preserve O-Sensei’s aikido. He publishes his first series of five training books, Traditional Aikido. The books were translated into English by Bill Witt and Dennis Tatoian.
- 1973-Volume 1 – Basic Techniques
- 1974-Volume 2 – Advanced Techniques
- 1974-Volume 3 – Applied Techniques
- 1974-Volume 4 – Vital Techniques
- 1976-Volume 5 – Training Works Wonders
Saito Sensei’s first two trips to the USA were in 1973, from December 18-January 7, and in 1974 from October 3-18.
1973. The “Ibaragi Aikido Shuren” dojo, (Shuren is “training”) which was more casually referred to as the “Iwama dojo”. This humble structure became the home to many who trained there.
Photo: David Alexander
Bill Witt with Saito Sensei and Others
1971. Bill Witt with Saito Sensei and others. Bill Witt was one of the very first “gaijin” (foreigner) to seek out Saito Sensei in the Saito Sensei and Bill Witt: The Early Years.
Kanpai
1972. Tokyo. The first party. This one in David’s 6-mat apartment in Nuke-benten near the Honbu Aikikai dojo where Saito Sensei had been teaching Sunday classes which always included buki-waza (jo and bokken training). Not long afterwards, David moved to Iwama for the next ten years.
Left to right: Lars Andersson (Sweden), Morihiro Saito Sensei, Takeji Tomita (Sweden), and David Alexander
Photo: David Alexander
In His Garden
1973. March, Iwama, with Saito Sensei in his garden. Takako & David Alexander have just moved to Iwama.
Photo: David Alexander
Bukiwaza
1973. David Alexander and Saito Sensei workout with ken bukiwaza one freezing winter day in the dojo (notice that the windows are open). During this winter, there were few people training — just David and the local Iwama regulars.
Photo: David Alexander
Kazunari
1973. Iwama. “Kazunari”. Relaxing after the monthly visit of Honbu Aikikai for the “juyoka matsuri”, or “Celebration of the 14th of the month”. Mrs. Saito (okusan) shows how to keep baby Kazunari happy with “beer for tots”. Kazunari later lived in the house next door to the Saitos. Corri Geffen is in front.
Photo: David Alexander
The First Group
1973. The first group of gaijin to train in Iwama
In front: Bruce Klickstein, Ulf Evanås(as a white belt), Mirko Takac, David Alexander, Morihiro Saito Sensei, and Bill Witt
In back: Lars Anderson, Sam Bertz, Cheryl Martinez, Hans Goto (as a white belt), Darrell Bluhm, Kathy Bates, and Mary Barlett née McDonald
Photo: David Alexander
Throw
1973. Saito Sensei throws Umezawa-san. Sugawara-san watches from the left.
Photo: Mary Bartlett, then known as Mary McDonald. She was in the first group of gaijin (international visitors).
Photo Shoot
1973. Saito Sensei resting pensively during a photo shoot
Photo: Mary Bartlett
Okusan and Saito Sensei
1973. Okusan and Saito Sensei in front of the dojo
Photo: Mary Bartlett
Perfecting Soba
1973. Saito Sensei perfecting his soba making in the shokudo. If you were lucky enough to enjoy this handmade specialty made from buckwheat flour, you’ll look upon the humble soba noodle with fond memories.
Photo: Mary Bartlett
In the Shokudo
1973. In the shokudo. Saito Sensei’s soba and cold beer with lunch. The best on a hot, humid day. As ever, light bulbs remain unshaded. No television either. Rules posted.
Photo: Mary Bartlett
Narita-san and Hans Goto
1973. Narita-san (left) and Hans Goto in front of the Aiki-jinja, wearing hanten
Photo: Mary Bartlett
At the Waterfall
1973. On a hot, unbearably humid day, thoughts of bicycling through the rice fields to the famed waterfall (taki) proves irresistible. Looks like Hans Goto, Mary Barlett, Ulf Evanås, Darrell Bluhm, and probably Narita-san.
Photo: Mary Bartlett.
Saito Sensei at the Waterfall
1973. Saito Sensei at the waterfall
Photo: Mary Bartlett
Double Nikyo
1974. Tom Everett gets his double nikyo & “uisuki” farewell present. Fumiko pours, Saito Sensei grabs his right and Shigemi Inagaki grabs his left. Rumor has it that David Alexander is responsible for coming up with this “tradition”, which has been “enjoyed” by many ever since.
Photo: David Alexander
San Francisco Airport
1974. Saito Sensei’s first trip out of Japan. He travels with a large entourage to California and Hawaii. At the SF Airport, Corri Geffen discovers you just can’t nikkyo Sensei.
Entourage includes Shigemi Inagaki, Hans Goto, Jeanette “Jeanie” Lerner, Tom Everett, Bill Witt, and David Alexander.
Photo: David Alexander
Overlooking San Francisco
1974. Overlooking windy San Francisco. Inagaki, David Alexander, Sensei, and Bill Witt
Photo: Bruce Klickstein
Golden Gate Bridge
1974. San Francisco. Saito Sensei in front of the Golden Gate Bridge
Photo: Bruce Klickstein
San Francisco Seminar
1974. probably from the first visit. Saito Sensei in San Francisco seminar with Terry Dobson and Bill Witt
Photo: Bill Witt
Hawaii Hochi
1974. Hawaii Hochi sports newspaper, Tuesday, October 15,1974 announcement for Saito sensei’s one day seminar on their way back from California to Japan. Held at the Honolulu Aikido Dojo.
David Alexander, Saito Sensei, and Shigemi Inagaki. In back, the dojo owner in a suit, and two aikidoka in Hawaiian shirts.
Photo: David Alexander
Après Keiko Games
1975. Après keiko games. Who are the two (losing) on the left?
Photo: Bruce Klickstein
Sweden
1975-76? Sweden. First visit? Uke: Bruce Klickstein.
Photo: Bruce Klickstein
Iwama
1975. Iwama.
John’s family owned a youth hostel near Ishioka)
From the left, Corri Geffen, Jeanie Lerner, Diana Taylor, Bruce, Sam from Sweden, Kiyomi, John, Bernice Tom, unknown, and David Alexander
Photo: Bruce Klickstein
With the Grandkids
1976. With the grandkids before the dojo door. Sensei holds baby Kazanari. Okusan has Masaki on her back. Masaki is the son of Harumi and Umezawa-san. As an adult he worked at the new town hall.
Photo: Bruce Klickstein
Preparing Soba
1978. Iwama. Preparing the soba in the shokudo
Photo: Bruce Klickstein
In San Francisco
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
Calgary, Canada
1979 in Calgary, Canada. Stan Pranin translating for Saito Sensei
Photo: Stan Pranin