
Abbiamo ricevuto il seguente articolo dalla segreteria della Takemusu Aikido Association Italy, con il quale si presenta quello che i più considerano come il maggiore appuntamento aikidoistico in Italia per il 2012, cioè il Saito Kinen Koshukai, lo stage per ricordare il Decennale della scomparsa di Morihiro Saito, che si terrà a Giaveno (TO) fra poco più di un mese
Il 13 maggio 2002 morì il nostro amato Maestro, Morihiro Saito.
Era un uomo che dedicò devotamente tutta la sua vita al Fondatore dell’Aikido, O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, nonché al preservare i suoi insegnamenti nel modo più fedele e rigoroso possibile.
A quelli che lo seguivano, Saito Sensei ha lasciato una profonda eredità spirituale fatta di rispetto, gentilezza, dolcezza e amore verso gli altri.
Takemusu Aikido Association Italy vuole onorare il 10° anniversario della scomparsa di Saito Sensei con un grande koshukai in Italia, che si terrà proprio nella città in cui nel 1985 Saito Sensei per la prima volta iniziò la sua diffusione dell’Aikido di Iwama in tutta Europa. Questo importante evento si svolgerà l’11-12-13 Maggio 2012 presso il Palasport di Giaveno (Torino), e sarà diretto dai più stretti deshi di Saito Sensei, che stanno ancora lavorando insieme per preservare la sua importante pedagogia con la stessa armonia e amicizia che hanno sperimentato attraverso questo straordinario maestro di Aikido.
Paolo Corallini Shihan
Paolo N. Corallini is the President of Takemusu Aikido Association Italy (T.A.A.I.). He started Aikido in April 1969 under the guidance of Motokage Kawamukai Sensei, Hirokazu Kobayashi Sensei and André Nocquet Sensei, who appointed him, in 1981, as President and Technical Director of Unione Italiana Aikido – a division of the Union Européenne d’Aikido in Italy. He followed Nobuyoshi Tamura Sensei in France closely during this period. In 1984, wishing to meet Morihiro Saito Sensei and visit the dojo where the Founder created and defined Aikido, Corallini went to Iwama. This was his first enchanting meeting with Morihiro Saito Sensei. Immediately Paolo Corallini became aware that the training method in Iwama dojo followed the traditional methods of the Founder. Then, from that moment he decided to devotedly follow Morihiro Saito Sensei. Since that time he has been to Japan as uchi deshi (direct, live-in student) 25 times to train with his Sensei. On February 1985 Corallini invited Morihiro Saito Sensei to Italy for the first seminar. This was the first time Saito Sensei was in Central Europe. From that year, Corallini followed Morihiro Saito Sensei everywhere, and invited him to Italy for seminars each year for 17 times. In 1988 he received 5th dan Takemusu Aikido from Saito Sensei, and also the 5th Buki Waza Mokuroku (weapons rank) as well as the authorization to give Tai-Jutsu (body techniques) and Buki Waza (weapons techniques) dan ranks. He was also appointed by Saito Sensei as direct Representative in Europe. In March 1993 Saito Sensei awarded Paolo Corallini 6th dan and the Shihan title in Iwama. He subsequently received 6th dan Aikikai. Corallini Sensei directs many seminars in Italy and foreign countries such as Germany, Scotland, Switzerland, France, Portugal, Austria, England, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Rep. of South Africa, Spain, Denmark, Sweden and Lebanon each year. Morihiro Saito Sensei gave 7th Dan Iwama Ryu to his representatives Paolo Corallini and Ulf Evenås on May 25th, 2001. In the year 2006 Paolo N. Corallini, together with Ulf Evenås founded the Takemusu Aikido Kyokai (T.A.K.). On January 9th 2011 Paolo N. Corallini Shihan receives the 7th dan Aikikai directly by Moriteru Ueshiba, Aikido Doshu.
Ulf Evenås Shihan
After beginning his martial arts training in Karate, Ulf Evenås started training Aikido in 1968 and Takemusu Aikido in 1969 under Takeji Tomita Sensei. In 1973 he went to Iwama for the first time to study under Morihiro Saito Sensei for half a year, becoming one of the first long time western Uchideshi (direct, live-in students) in Iwama. He went back for a longer period in 1977, and from 1981 until the passing of Saito Sensei in 2002, he studied under Morihiro Saito Sensei, training in Iwama and participating in his seminars every year. Evenås Sensei together with Paolo Corallini received 7th Dan Iwama Ryu and was appointed Shihan by Morihiro Saito
Sensei. Ulf Evenås also has full certication (5th level) in Bukiwaza (weapons techniques) from Saito Sensei. Ulf Evenås is appointed 7th Dan and Aikikai Shihan by Aikido Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba. He travels frequently to the Aikikai Hombu (Headquarters) Dojo and Ibaraki Shibu Dojo. Evenås Sensei heads the second largest Aikido dojo in Sweden, Gothenburg Aikido Club, with more than 300 members. He frequently conducts seminars in countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Russia, Germany, Lithuania, United Kingdom, Holland, Australia, USA and Malaysia. Ulf Evenas Sensei is 7th dan Aikido Shihan and has the highest Takemusu Aikido weapons teaching certicate. On 2006 Ulf Evenas together with Paolo N. Corallini founds the Takemusu Aikido Kyokai (T.A.K.) an Aikikai affiliated organization.
William W. Witt Shihan
Bill Witt began Aikido practice on July 24th, 1967 at Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan and met O-Sensei for the first time. In Japan he met and trained with Morihiro Saito Sensei. Formally he became a student of Saito Sensei in October 1969. Since August 1969 until May 1980, Bill Witt Sensei trained yearly with Morihiro Saito Sensei at Ibaraki Aiki Shuren Dojo, Iwama, Japan. Currently he is President and Co-Founder of Takemusu Aikido
Association, and Senior Instructor of Aikido Dojo of Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale, CA (U.S.A.). Bill Witt Sensei received the Shodan by Nidai Doshu at Hombu Dojo, Sept. 30th, 1969, and his other ranks were awarded by Morihiro Saito Sensei. Today he is 7th dan, Aikikai Shihan.
Mark Van Meerendonk
He started Aikido in 1976 at Budokan , Frankfurt under Volker Stanzel who is now the ambassador of the Federal Republik of Germany in Japan. Volker knew Morihiro Saito Sensei a longtime and close Deshi of O’Sensei. Saito Sensei was the only teacher, who preserved during all his lifetime the original and traditional weapons techniques (with Bokken and Jo) and body techniques as taught by O’Sensei in Iwama between 1946-1969. In 1981 Ute and Mark departed to Japan and stayed in Iwama as uchideshi for 15
months. This time inuenced their life signicantly. On 1983-1984 again Ute and Mark stayed and trained in Iwama, at that time being Sotodeshi (living outside the dojo, training inside the dojo). After returning back to Germany Mark and his wife Ute started to teach traditional Aikido in Frankfurt. Today they are running a small Dojo in Schwickartshausen, Germany. Saito Morihiro visited the Dojo on a yearly base since 1987 and conducted
remarkable seminars. Since that Mark and Ute are conducting monthly seminar and Uchideshi or Gasshuku Trainings regularly. Saito Sensei gave Mark the 6th Dan Iwama Ryu and the 5th Dan Buki Waza Mokuroku. Mark Van Meerendonk also holds the 6th Dan Aikikai.
Ute Van Meerendonk
She started Aikido in 1977 at Budokan in Frankfurt with Volker Stanzel. In 1981 Ute and Mark departed to Japan and stayed in Iwama as uchideshi for 15 months. This time ingluenced their life signicantly. On 1983-1984 again Ute and Mark stayed and trained in Iwama, at that time being Sotodeshi (living outside the dojo, training inside the dojo). After returning back to Germany Ute and her husband Mark started to teach traditional Aikido in Frankfurt. Today they are running a small Dojo in Schwickartshausen,
Germany. Saito Morihiro visited the Dojo on a yearly base since 1987 and conducted remarkable seminars. Since then Mark and Ute are conducting monthly seminar and Uchideshi or Gasshuku Trainings regularly. Saito Sensei gave the 6th Dan Iwama Ryu and the 5th Dan Buki Waza Mokuroku. Ute Van Meerendonk also holds the 6th Dan Aikikai.
Ethan Monnot Weisgard
6th Dan Aikikai. Born 1957 in New Milford, Connecticut (U.S.A.), resident of Denmark since 1969. Profession: Musician (drummer and percussionist). Specialized drum and percussion teacher. Professional Aikido instructor. Japanese Cultural Specialist Translator (Japanese/English; English/Japanese). Tour Guide (in Japan). Author of the two-book set: Bukiwaza, Basic and Advanced Aiki-Ken and Aiki-Jo. Contributing author for on-line martial arts magazine MI MartialArts and Culture, Shugyo Dojo Newsletter (Toronto Canada), JDnet (Japanese Association in Denmark) among others. Started training Aikido under Danish martial arts pioneer Bent Jacobsen at Budokan, Copenhagen in 1976. Began training in Copenhagen Aikido Club the same year. First main teachers Takeji Tomita Sensei (based in Stockholm, Sweden), Ulf Evenås and Lars Goran Andersson. Became instructor in Copenhagen Aikido Club from 1978 – 2003. Went to Iwama as uchi-deshi (direct live-in student) for the first time in1984, staying for two months. 10 stays as uchi deshi from 1984-2001, plus one year and three months stay as soto-deshi in 1990 – 91. Translated for and assisted Morihiro Saito Sensei at seven week-long summer camps and three weekend seminars held by the Copenhagen Aikido Club from 1986 – 2000. Translated for and assisted Saito Sensei at seminars throughout Europe from 1986 – 2000. Has taught and trained Aikido in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Canada, America, Russia and Japan. Started own dojo – Copenhagen Aiki Shuren Dojo – in 2003. Teaches Aikido at other martial arts dojos, as well as at companies and businesses. Translates at seminars for high-ranked instructors such as Shigemi Inagaki Sensei, Hiroshi Isoyama Sensei, Hideo Hirosawa Sensei, Hiroki Nemoto Sensei, (all from Ibaraki Shibu Dojo) and Hideo Yonemochi Sensei (Aikikai Hombu Dojo). On January 2012 Ethan Monnot Weisgard receives the 6th dan Aikikai.
Daniel Toutain
Daniel Toutain began practising Aikido in 1968 with Masamichi Noro Sensei, and remained his student until 1978 (full-time from 1976). Between 1978 and 1982 he trained intensively under Nobuyoshi Tamura Sensei, following almost all of his weekend seminars as well as his regional teacher-seminars, It was in this Dojo that he received a visit from Tsunemori Kaminoda Sensei and Risuke Otake Sensei, as well as Donn F. Draeger, during their European tour organised by Tiki Shiwan and Daniel Leclerc. Up until 1982, he successively held the positions of D.T.R (Regional Technical Delegate), at the U.N.A. (National Union of Aikido), and then R.T.N. (National Technical Supervisor) at the F.F.L.A.B. (French Free Federation of Aikido and Budo). He continued to study with Tamura Sensei until 1987, albeit episodically. In April 1993, Daniel Toutain became a student of Morihiro Saito Sensei, 9th Dan Aikikai. To study under Master Saito was a long-awaited dream for Daniel Toutain. From his first contact with this historic master, he was captivated by Master Saito’s mastery and knowledge, and equally touched by the great humanity of this teacher. He became deeply attached to him and was profoundly marked when Master Saito passed away in May 2002. Saito Sensei conferred on him the grade of 6th Dan in March 2002. In addition, Saito Sensei awarded Daniel Toutain the grade of 5th Dan in Aiki Ken and Aiki Jo, which is the highest Iwama grade for Aikido weapons.
Saito Kinen Koshukai
11-13 Maggio 2012
Palasport Giaveno, Via Colpastore – Giaveno (TO)
Quota di Partecipazione: € 150,00
Programma degli Allenamenti:
Fri 11 May 2012: h. 8.00-9.45 Enrolment, h. 10.00-11.00 Keiko, h. 11.15-12.15 Keiko, h. 17.00-18.00 Keiko, h. 18.15-19.15 Keiko
Sat 12 May 2012: h. 10.00-11.00 Keiko, h. 11.15-12.15 Keiko, h. 17.00-18.00 Keiko, h. 18.15-19.15 Keiko; h. 19.15 Ceremony in Commemoration of Morihiro Saito Sensei’s death and Party
Sun 13 May 2012: h. 10.00-11.00 Keiko, h. 11.15-12.15 Keiko
Informazioni: Cell. (+39) 340 9824501, (+39) 339 2237624
Email info@taai.it
Informazioni Generali:
Il seminar è aperto a tutti purché regolarmente assicurati. Per l’iscrizione esibire la tessera della Federazione di appartenenza. Per le lezioni di Buki-Waza è necessario portare Jo e Ken. La Hakama può essere indossata soltanto da yudansha. E’ vietato l’utilizzo di qualunque tipo di apparecchiatura fotografica o video. E‘ possibile dormire gratis sul tatami presso il Palasport Giaveno. E’ necessario portare il sacco a pelo. Coloro che sono interessati sono pregati di scrivere all’email: info@iwamadojotorino.it. Il costo per la cena di sabato (Party) è di 25€