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Morihiro Saito: Guardian of Ueshiba’s Teachings
Morihiro Saito 斉藤 守弘, a prominent figure in the world of Aikido, was born on March 31, 1928, in Ibaraki Prefecture 茨城県, Japan. He dedicated his life to the study and practice of Aikido, becoming one of the most influential sensei in Aikido history. Saito’s contributions to the art, particularly in preserving the teachings of the founder, Morihei Ueshiba, have left a lasting impact on Aikido practitioners worldwide. Just like many other youngsters, Saito used to admire the great Japanese swordsmen and studied kendo in school. However, weapons were banned following the end of WWII. He then learned Karate and Judo, thinking he would have nothing to fear if he…
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Ueshiba’s Jo in Aikido: Unification of Martial and Spiritual Principles
The history of the jo 杖 in Aikido can be traced back to the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, who was known for his extensive martial arts training, including the art of the jo. The origins of the jo in Japanese martial arts can be traced back even further, to the 17th century, when Muso Gonnosuke 夢想權之助, a samurai who was defeated in a duel with the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi 宮本武蔵, developed a new form of martial art that focused on the use of a short staff, which he called Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu 神道夢想流杖術. Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu 神道夢想流杖術 Over time, jojutsu was also incorporated into other martial…
