Hitohira Saito

Hitohira Saito Soke, began his Aikido education at the tender age of seven under the direct tutelage of the Founder, Morihei Ueshiba. He continued this training under O'Sensei until the master's death in 1969, at which time he inevitably continued his aikido education under O'Sensei's chief disciple, his own father, Morihiro Saito, 9th dan.

Until his father's passing in May 2002, Hitohira Saito taught weekly in the Tokyo dojo and trained in the Iwama dojo. There are many technical photos in the late Saito Sensei's five volumes of "Traditional Aikido" which portrays Hitohira not only in the displaying of techniques, but also as a technician as well.

Hitohira is the only son of Morihiro Saito and the heir apparent to his father's legacy. He has not only managed to maintain the quality and structure of O'Sensei's aikido, but also excels at being a dedicated father to his five children and a loving husband to his wife Hisako Saito. Hitohiro has earned the respect and admiration of his peers in his own right, and commands the highest respect within his community through his many years of charitable contributions and community service, and his enthusiastic support and participation of all the local traditional arts and customs such as the Matsuri festivals.

Hitohiro Saito is not only a divine teacher, but also a gifted sculptor, painter, and calligraphist. To further explore his desire for the arts, Hitohiro is also a professional Japanese Chef, which he studied for three years and founded his own Soba restaurant in Iwama. However, due to his obligation to the practice of aikido and to his father's legacy, he chose to retire the restaurant and is completely dedicated to the development and teachings of O'Sensei.

Kai Cho Hitohiro Saito, founder of the Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shurenkai in Iwama, Japan, has taught thousands of foreigners serving their apprenticeships in this Mecca of Aikido, the Iwama dojo. Devoted to preserving the spiritual and technical tradition of O-Sensei's Aikido, Hitohiro Saito has established a reputation for unparalleled technique and teaching methods. Hitohiro Saito possesses an exceptional level of understanding of the art and continues to deliver aikido to an audience that is so fortunate to receive his unsurpassed spiritual and technical expertise.