Photos: Far left, Bill Witt, Terry Dobson and
Morihiro Saito Shihan at seminar at Aikido
of San Francisco in mid-1970's. (Aikido
Journal Photo.) At right present day Witt
Shihan demonstrating 3rd suburi.
Tim Sheldon Sensei throws John Nyugen at a
seminar at Aikido of Arlington.
Hitohiro Saito Sensei
in Tahoe Oct 2004.
Osensei (Morehei Ueshiba)
12/14/1883 - 4/26/1969

After intensive study of various swordfighting and jujutsu styles, Morihei
Ueshiba became famous as one of the strongest men of Japan. In 1919, he
turned towards the spiritual, pacifistic teachings of the Omoto religion and
started to develop the Art of Peace. In 1942, in the midst of the chaos of
World War II, O-Sensi named his new martial art Aikido. He moved to the
small country town of Iwama, where he continued to practice, teach and
refine Aikido until he passed away in 1969.

"The Art of Peace does not rely on weapons or brute force to succeed;
instead we put ourselves in tune with the universe, maintain peace in our
own realms, nuture life, and prevent death and distruction. The true meaning
of the term samurai is one who serves and adheres to the power of love."
- Morihei Ueshiba  

Morihiro Saito Shihan
3/31/1928 - 5/12/2002

9th Dan Aikikai. An Iwama native, Morihiro Saito started training in Aikido in
1946 and became not only a student, but a close confidant of O-Sensei
during the following 23 years. After the founder's passing, Morihio Saito was
put in charge of the Iwama dojo and became the guardian of the Aiki-shrine.
Today, he is also known for his books, his clear and structured way of
teaching, and the organization of the huge number of techniques that
comprise Iwama-Ryu Aikido.


Mark Larson's tribute to Saito Sensei




Bill Witt Shihan, 7th dan
Tim Sheldon sensei has been quoted describing Witt Shihan as "the man
who built the bridge to Iwama."  Bill Witt moved to Japan in 1967 on business,
and became interested in aikido.  As the story goes, O-Sensei was the first
person he saw when he entered the dojo, and O-sensei invited him to
observe a class, if he was interested.  Witt Shihan stayed on and trained for
a year and a half, drawn to the teaching of Morihiro Saito who would
commute in from the farm in Iwama on Sundays to teach at the Hombu dojo
in Tokyo.  Witt Shihan has told us of how in the early days of his training, he
was not allowed any partner practices with the advanced students, and was
only allowed to practice the 13 and 31 jo kata for two years on his own.  Only
after demonstrating his diligence after two years did he receive the teaching
of the suburi.

Witt Shihan is the leader of the Takemusu Aikido Association which was
developed out of the Northern California Aikido Association in 2002.  Shihan
now teaches at the Aikido of Silicon Valley dojo.


Tim Sheldon sensei, 5th dan
Tim Sheldon holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of
Virginia in English and Writing, respectively. He began studying Goju Ryu
Karate while taking part in a graduate writing program at San Francisco
State University in 1970 and was promoted to black belt in 1974. He began
studying Aikido in San Francisco in 1977 and was promoted to black belt in
1984. He also has studied Aikido at the Iwama Dojo in Japan. He now holds
the rank of yondan, or fourth-degree black belt, and has been instructing at
J.S. Reynolds for the past ten years. He teaches English and
Communications online for Bryant and Stratton College.

Tim sensei founded and has been the dojo cho of the Bryan Park Aikido
Dojo since 1993.  His teaching currently includes credit classes in aikido at J.
Sargeant Reynolds Community College and Randolp Macon College, as well
as weapons and taijutsu at Bryan Park.  


Hitohiro Saito Soke  7th dan  Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shurenkai
Tanrenkan Dojo, Iwama, Japan

Son and successor of Morihiro Saito sensei. Began aikido training at age
seven under his father and Morihei Ueshiba. Appears prominently in
Takemusu Aikido technical manual by Morihiro Saito. Since 1986, travels
frequently to Europe and the USA conducting seminars.  

Since his father's death, Hitohiro Saito sensei has assumed leadership of the
Iwama lineage, and has created a new organization.


Patricia Hendricks Sensei, 6th dan
Hendricks sensei is the cho at Aikido of San Leandro, CA.  She has a
globally respected uchideshi program.  In 1975, Pat Hendricks started her
Aikido career in Monterey, California.  She studied extensively with Morihiro
Saito sensei beginning in 1977, and throughout the 80s and 90s.  Hendricks
Sensei holds the highest degree possible in Aiki Ken and Jo Certification
(menkyo kaiden).

Widely known for her excellent technique and teaching style, Sensei's
committment to her students and to aikido as a way of life stands as an
excellent example.  

She has an excellent selection of very recent seminar videos which are
highly recommended.  See www.aikido-sanleandro.com for information.


Aviv Goldsmith Sensei, 5th dan
Aviv Sensei is the cho at the Aikido in Fredericksburg Dojo, and we are
happy to have affiliated with them in the spring of 2008.

Aviv Sensei spent many years training and then teaching in Nevada at the
Reno Aikido Co-op under Wolfgang Baumgartner, and moved to Virginia to
begin teaching in 2002.  He has trained extensively in Japan with Morihiro
Saito Shihan.
Lineage