Tag: party

1992. Mrs. Saito and Saito Sensei in regal formal attire at his huge first party in Iwama’s Kabuki Wedding Palace, celebrating his promotion to 9th dan by Honbu Aikikai and the 50th anniversary of aikido in Iwama. There followed an informal party of mighty proportion at the dojo, and later a third, smaller party around the indoor campfire at Hitohiro’s house nearby, although my own memory grew a bit hazy around this point…

Photo: Aikido Journal

1991. Tony Sargeant was telling Sensei how he was enjoying the “gentle” Aikido that Sensei taught. Sensei looked puzzled and then Tony revealed his torn gi trousers and top and which point Sensei burst out laughing.

Sensei, Bill Witt, Tony Sargeant, and Louis Jumonville. September seminar potluck at Aikido of San Leandro.

Photo: John Longford

1985. Don’t you love that wallpaper? This and the following party shot was in Takayasu’s residence in Sydney.

Lester (Tony) Snow (now in the UK), Barry Knight (later 6th dan in Melbourne), Nemoto from Iwama, and the Sydney, Australian crew: Saburo Takayasu, (later Shihan with Takemusu Aiki Association of Australia), Derek Minus (later 5th dan), and Mic Marelli (later 5th dan)

Photo: Takemusu Aiki Association Incorporated NSW

February 1981. The traditional “Keiko-gi” send-off party at the Atago-san onsen. Saito Sensei and Derek Minus from Australia. “On the back of my Keikogi Hitohiro drew a particularly good daruma.”

Photo: Derek Minus