Aikido Journal

Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 13

For Stanley Pranin!!
Sorry for my bad English... I live in Russia

At me a question Please.

In Russia, in forums discuss yours letter about Morihiro Saito sensei.
You have written that Sioda sensei did the offer Saito sensei to head Yoshinkan...
Say Please, Saito sensei has given the answer to this question?

Thanks!!

Joined: 05 Mar 2000 Posts: 2012

I am going from memory on this. I believe it was the late 1980s that Morihiro Saito Sensei had an informal meeting with the VIPs of the Yoshinkan Aikido Hombu Dojo. As Shioda Sensei was advancing in age they were trying to work out the issue of succession.

Saito Sensei was very flattered that they would consider asking him to succeed Shioda Sensei but declined saying that his position as the Dojo-cho of the Iwama Dojo and guardian of the Aiki Shrine did not permit him to leave the Aikikai.

I have this recorded on audio tape and will one day transcribe it.

I heard the story several times from Saito Sensei directly.

Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 374 Location: Florida

Saito Sensei may also have seen this as a "placeholder" position... ('nuff said Wink

)

Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 13

thanks Large for the answer Stanley!!!
Excuse me, that has addressed to you personally for the explanatory..

But, I have asked it because..Russian representatives of Yoshinkan, namely, followers kaicho Koichi Inoue, assert(approve), that Inoue sensei has said (Personally) by him - another. That Saito sensei wished (asked) Shioda sensei to enter in Yoshinkan, but Shioda сенсей has given up, because (considered(counted) that) O-sensei,s Aikido should remain pure(clean)...

Such situation Very Happy

thanks once again!!!

Joined: 05 Mar 2000 Posts: 2012

I'm sorry but I couldn't quite catch the nuance of what you are saying. Perhaps you could try expressing it differently.

Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 13

Excuse me! I shall try once again:

I am grateful for your answer. You have answered my question completely! Thanks!

I have asked this question because, people from Yosnikan approve opposite. They speak that heard from Koichi Inoue (directly) about that Saito asked Shioda to enter in Yosnikan , but Shioda has given up.

They speak about that: Koichi Inoue directly has said about that: Saito asked Shioda to accept him in Yosnikan, but Shioda has given up (failure) to him, and said that does not wish to change O-sensei,s Aikido...

You talked with Koichi Inoue on a theme of this question?

I'm sorry for my Eng!!!

Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 13

Excuse me. I try once again!

You completely have answered my question!!! Thanks to you!!

I have set to you this question, because, the people from Yoshinkan, assert(approve), that Koichi Inoue has said absolutely another. Inoue sensei has said that Saito asked Shioda to accept him in Yoshinkan, but Shioda has not accepted Сайто, because there is no desire to change O-sensei,s Aikido.

You talked with Koichi Inoue on a theme of this question??

Excuse me for mine Eng..

Joined: 05 Mar 2000 Posts: 2012

I know Inoue Sensei well and I knew Saito Sensei very well. It's difficult for me to believe this story.

First, at the point in time we are talking about Saito Sensei was traveling abroad 4-5 times per year. He also had a responsibility to oversee the Iwama Dojo and served as the guardian of the Aiki Shrine. He was responsible for setting up the grounds of the Iwama Dojo and Shrine for the annual Taisai held each year on April 29. He did not have a particularly close relationship to the Yoshinkan although what links did exist were cordial.

It makes no sense to me that he would plan to leave the Aikikai and his teaching and traveling schedule and defect to the Yoshinkan.

I have never heard Inoue Sensei mention such a thing.

Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 13

Thanks Stanley!!!

I have not believed them too. And i asked them to take detailed interview with Inoue sensei, in the following travel to Russia and to publish it. But I to not think that he to do it. Simply, I do not believe it.

Thanks once again for your answers!

Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 13

One more question Stanley!

Say please, whether was present Shioda sensei on informal meeting Saito with the VIPs of the Yoshinkan Aikido Hombu Dojo?
Or VIPs of the Yoshinkan Aikido Hombu did(made) this the offer without Shioda? Who was the initiator of this offer? Shioda or VIP,s?

thanks for earlier !

Joined: 05 Mar 2000 Posts: 2012

I don't recall if Saito Sensei provided either of those bits of information.

Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 13

Excuse me, but I badly have understood you.
In the letter you have written, that Shioda has made the offer Saito to be the successor of Yoshinkan. But here, on a forum, you write about VIPs of the Yoshinkan Aikido Hombu Dojo. Who was these VIPs? Saito sensei has said about it to you?

Thanks once again!

Joined: 05 Mar 2000 Posts: 2012

I don't know if Shioda Sensei himself initiated the offer to Saito Sensei or if the idea came about as a consensus among the heads of the Yoshinkan.

Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 13

Thanks for the answer Stanley!

Say please. Whether was present Shioda at that informal meeting?
Сайто has said about it to you?

How you think? What for heads of Yoshinkan asked Saito about following for Shioda? For what purpose?

It was the mark of respect? Or they wanted that Saito has headed Yoshinkan ?

Thanks!!

Joined: 05 Mar 2000 Posts: 2012

I have learned through other sources that Shioda Sensei was present. Beyond that, I don't wish to speculate.