1990's

1990-Saito Sensei is 62 years old. World-wide recognition pours in. He is declared a "National Treasure" by Japan. He survives esophagal cancer. He reissues "Budo", bringing it out of obscurity. His son, Hitohiro, quits the restaurant business and takes on more of the teaching and traveling.

1990's. Reno, Nevada. Saito Sensei throws Miles Kessler and Hiwatashi, otomo.

Photo: Aviv Goldsmith.

Interview with Saito Sensei, May 1999, by Franziska Roller and Miles Kessler. Translation: Emi Isomura and Mark L. Larson. Link provided by Volker Hochwald, Germany. In German and English.

1990. Hitohiro and Saito Sensei prepare a Springtime Aiki-Yakisoba with Miles Kessler (left), Derek Minus (center) and on the right is Stephan Koeck (where is he these days?)from Germany.

Photo: Mic Marelli

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. In the picture are: Sensei, Bill Witt, Tony Sargeant and Louis Jumonville. September seminar potluck at Aikido of San Leandro.

Photo: John Longford.

1991. One September evening a tremendous storm toppled a large pine tree. It snapped about 1.5 meters above the ground and crashed down, just missing the dojo, its crown brushing the wooden dojo steps. It was quite an alarming sight to awaken to. After morning keiko, Sensei and Hitohiro cut the tree into logs for the uchi deshi to carry off and stack for future winters.

Photo: Joerg Beile.

1992. "Entertaining at a dinner party for uchideshi from Reno and the local sotodeshi".

Photo: Aviv Goldsmith.

1992. Iwama. The Saitos: Saito Sensei, Okusan and Hitohiro.

Photo: Aikido Journal.

1992. Saito Sensei and Shibata in the All Japan demo.

Photo: Aikido Journal.

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.

1992. Reading from "Budo", by OSensei. "See? This is just like I showed you..."

Photo: Stan Pranin, who rediscovered the original book. Photo from Aikido Journal.

1992. Iwama. Saito Sensei's version of a "fireside chat" revolving around O-Sensei stories and demos with the deshi. Luis DeQuiros on the right. Uke: Miles Kessler.

Photo: Aviv Goldsmith.

1992. A casual lunch in California with towels for hats. Wolfgang Baumgartner, Patricia Hendricks, and Sensei.

Photo: Patricia Yarrow.

1993. Reno, Nevada. Uke is Simon.

Photo: Aviv Goldsmith.

1994. Iwama snowbattle. Real steel in the snow! Wish you were here.

Photo: Aikido Journal.

1994. Saito Sensei applying the "Ai-Ki" brand to new bokken.

Photo: Aviv Goldsmith.

1995. Saito Sensei's delivery service. Ever the gracious host, he is driving another visiting sensei and everyone's luggage to the Iwama train station.

Photo: Aviv Goldsmith.

1996. Fuglsoe, Denmark. In action with the 5th kumijo. Uke: Shibata Sensei.

Photo: Roland Spitzbarth, from Zürich, Suisse.

1997. Saito Sensei in Denver, Colorado.

Photo: Stan Pranin.

1998. Cutting his birthday cake in style.

Photo: Jean Marc Serio.

1998. Mr. and Mrs. Saito visit Nikko, a favorite spot an hour drive away from Iwama.

Photo: Aviv Goldsmith.

1998. Denver, Colorado in Gaku Homma's Nippon-kan dojo. From left to right: Standing - Christopher S. Field, Chris Powell, Franklin Wise, Allen Twarowski, Scott McGinnis and their Sensei, David Alexander . Seated - Shigeru Kawabe and Morihiro Saito Sensei, September 1998.

Photo: David Alexander.

1999. Saito Sensei at work in his extensive garden. Gardening and aikido are a perfect combination.

Photo: Jöran Fagerlund.

1999. Saito Sensei surveys his work during the morning jo practice.

Photo: Michele Marolla (Italy).

1990s. Sensei walking in the Aiki Jinja grounds with his staff. This wizardly staff is a bit of a mystery. Apparently, it was given to him by Peter, from the UK, an uchi deshi over 1986-87. Does anyone have more information?

Photo: Carlos Nogueira.