(Founder of Aikido)
In 1931, the Founder built a dedicated Aikido Dojo. This was a wooden building approximately 120 square meters (80 tatami mats) in size, called the Kobukan, located in present-day Wakamatsu-Cho, Shinjuku. In 1967 the original wooden structure housing the Aikido Hombu Dojo was replaced by a modern concrete building. In 1973 the building was modernised, and the fourth and fifth floors were added to the building.
Aikido has become established in 130 countries, and under the direction of Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba, instructors carry on the spirit of Aikido which continues to grow throughout the world.
Morihiro Saito was the longest serving student of O-Sensei (the founder of Aikido). Saito Sensei, trained under O-Sensei for 23 years and after O-Sensei’s passing, was the head of the Iwama Dojo and the keeper of the Aiki Shrine.
Morihiro Saito Sensei, passed away on the 13th of May 2002 at the age of 74.
Saito Sensei was born near Iwama and was a railway worker in his earlier years giving him plenty of free time for training. As with many Aikido practitioners of that era, Morihiro Saito Sensei came from a martial arts background having learned some karate and kendo. Saito Sensei entered Iwama Dojo at the age of seventeen and remained a loyal and dedicated student for the next twenty-three years. In his early years Morihiro Saito Sensei was famous for his strength, power and vigorous training.
After the passing of O-Sensei, Saito Sensei dedicated his life to preserving and passing on the technique of the Founder. Due to the excellence of his teaching, his expansive knowledge of Aikido techniques and his unique position as one of the longest serving students of O-Sensei particularly during the time when O-Sensei was completing the formation of Aikido, people travelled from around the world to the Iwama Dojo to learn directly from Saito Sensei. He reciprocated, travelling regularly to many countries to give seminars. Morihiro Saito Sensei published many technical books of Aikido techniques and generously allowed his techniques to be recorded for further study by his students. He is admired and remembered for his remarkable technical ability and encyclopaedic knowledge as well as his skills as a teacher having developed a clear, systematic and comprehensive teaching system.
