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Copenhagen Aiki
Shuren Dojo - part 2
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The last time I was in the dojo was after the
second Doshu had passed away. There was a total
renovation of the Aiki Jinja. All the old Sempai
were there to help, many of whom I hadn’t seen since
the first times I had been there.
I helped Sensei, together with the long-term
uchi-deshi, to lay out the decorative stones in the
original Aiki Jinja (Aiki shrine) area. I remember him leading the
arrangement of how the stones were to be spread, and
seeing him enjoying the way the different colored
stones made just the pattern effect he wanted. This
last trip gave me so many wonderful, vivid memories; it was
the last time I saw Sensei before he passed on. I
miss him greatly, and will remember him always.
Saito Sensei is an extremely important part of my
life. He was the best teacher one could ever ask
for, a master of Aikido, a gentleman and a warm and
gracious person. His influence on my life has meant
so much to me: I would not have met my dear wife and
have my two beautiful children had I not come to
Iwama the first time. I would not have the heartfelt
connections to Aikidoka from all over the world had
it not been for Sensei. And I would not have all the
wonderful aspects of Aikido he so generously taught
me, his student, to work on developing, learning and
passing on to others.
I wish to keep a piece of Iwama, and thereby my
beloved Sensei, close to me; to try to carry on the
traditions of the Iwama dojo, both in terms of
training as well as in spirit. I have therefore
chosen to use the name that was right in front of me
all along: Copenhagen Aiki Shuren Dojo.
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Calligraphy: Teruo Nakazawa |
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