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Japan Aikido Tour, April 2001

A week as uchi deshi at Iwama, training under Saito Sensei in O-Sensei's own dojo, with a few days in Tokyo and the hot springs at Mito to close the tour.

Russell Pearse October 2026

From the vague and distant memories of Russell Pearse…

岩間 Iwama

A week as uchi deshi

In April 2001, Takayasu Sensei and sixteen dedicated (and illustrious) students travelled to Iwama to stay and train in O-Sensei’s original dojo as guests of Saito Sensei. For a week we trained as uchi deshi (live-in students), rising at about 5:30am to clean the dojo and its surrounds before outdoor weapons training with Saito Sensei at 6am. During the day we had two classes with Takayasu Sensei, and in the evening a class with Saito Sensei in O-Sensei’s dojo.

Some distinct memories stand out. We trained with weapons outdoors during sakura, with cherry blossom petals falling and wafting around us. Saito Sensei’s long-term students tested us out in class every evening, demonstrating true aikido power. We hiked up the mountain and stood under a freezing waterfall for a cleansing misogi, and we sat in seiza for an hour during a Shinto ritual at the Aiki Shrine.

Iwama, photograph 1 of 10 Iwama, photograph 2 of 10 Iwama, photograph 3 of 10 Iwama, photograph 4 of 10 Iwama, photograph 5 of 10 Iwama, photograph 6 of 10 Iwama, photograph 7 of 10 Iwama, photograph 8 of 10 Iwama, photograph 9 of 10 Iwama, photograph 10 of 10

宴 Sayonara

The broken chopstick

At the end of the week we had a party with Saito Sensei and his wife, Takayasu Sensei and all the uchi deshi, while Hitohiro Sensei barbecued pork belly for everyone. Much was eaten and drunk. Saito Sensei taught us a drinking game in which a blindfolded participant spun a broken chopstick, and whoever it pointed at had to drink a cocktail of beer and whisky. My brother Mark had already been an unfortunate loser on one occasion, and when he took his turn to spin the chopstick, he removed the blindfold to find it pointing at himself, so he had to drink the evil cocktail again! Afterwards we all staggered up the mountain in a vain attempt to sober up.

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東京 Tokyo

Tokyo, Katori and Kashima

We were also invited to train at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department dojo, a beautiful timber-lined room on the top floor of the Police building. Takayasu Sensei gave a demonstration, and each of us was presented with a black belt with our name embroidered in gold. We also visited the Tokugawa shrine, Tsukiji (the Tokyo fish market), and a museum with many ancient and prized Japanese swords. In addition, the tour visited the Katori and Kashima shrines, home to two of the most famous koryu bujutsu (ancient sword schools).

Tokyo, Katori and Kashima, photograph 1 of 7 Tokyo, Katori and Kashima, photograph 2 of 7 Tokyo, Katori and Kashima, photograph 3 of 7 Tokyo, Katori and Kashima, photograph 4 of 7 Tokyo, Katori and Kashima, photograph 5 of 7 Tokyo, Katori and Kashima, photograph 6 of 7 Tokyo, Katori and Kashima, photograph 7 of 7

水戸 Mito

Snow on the hot springs

After the week of intense training we travelled to Mito to bathe in the hot springs and enjoy a Japanese feast in a private room to celebrate the tour. As we relaxed in the steaming-hot natural springs, set in manicured Japanese gardens at sunset, it began to snow.

Mito, photograph 1 of 2 Mito, photograph 2 of 2