Morihiro Saito Shihan bequeathed Iwama Takemusu Aikikai to Mark Larson and Kenichi Shibata, and appointed these two students to establish brother dojos. This charge was made at the Founder’s Dojo (Ibaraki Aiki Shuren Dojo) in Iwama, Japan, in the presence of the Iwama Dojo Members, town dignitaries, worldwide guests, high ranking aikido instructors as well as the Aikikai representatives during Tai Sai, April 29, 2001.
Quote:
「マーク、柴田と兄弟道場作りなさい。」
Credentials:
斎藤守弘
開祖植芝盛平直伝
岩間道場長
合気神社の守護者
九段合気会師範
Translation:
“Mark, you must make brother dojos with Shibata.”
Morihiro Saito Direct-disciple of Morihei Ueshiba–Founder of Aikido
Ibaraki Aiki Shuren Dojo-cho (Iwama Dojo)
Guardian of the Aiki-Shrine
9th dan Aikikai Shihan
Our honorable teacher’s desire came to fruition on April 3, 2008, at Kenichi Shibata Shihan’s First International Aikido Teaching Seminar, held in Minnesota, USA.
Quote:
『斎藤先生が、「将来、岩間合気道は、アメリカに行ってしまう。」って言ったけど、それはマークのことだったんだ。』
Credentials:
柴田健一
斎藤守弘直伝
塩釜合気修練道場長
七段合気会師範
Translation:
“Saito Sensei said that Iwama Aikido will shift to America in the future. Now I know he was talking about you, Mark.”
Kenichi Shibata
Direct-disciple of Morihiro Saito
Shiogama Aiki Shuren Dojo-cho
7th dan Aikikai Shihan
Translation:
Iwama is [now] Minnesota.
Kenichi [Shibata]