A message from Bill Witt, Shihan

The recent earthquake in Japan was truly devastating in the northern Honshu area.

The town of Iwama, which is now part of Kasama City, is located about 200 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake. The quake was so violent that there was some damage to structures in Ibaraki Prefecture and in Iwama.

The Ibaraki Shibu Dojo (Iwama Dojo) was seriously damaged by the tremors and is unusable at the present time. Part of the roof has collapsed. Doshu has visited and determined that it is possible to rebuild and is developing plans to do so with the emphasis on making both the roof and foundation of the building significantly stronger.

The Iwama Dojo is an important part of our aikido heritage in the Takemusu Aikido Association. O-Sensei moved to Iwama in 1943 and developed his post-war version of aikido there which we learn today. Saito Sensei was an important influence in passing O-Sensei’s aikido to us and maintaining the traditions of the dojo. It was Saito Sensei’s open acceptance of foreign students that so many of us were afforded the unique opportunity to train and study in such an important spiritual center of aikido.

Having the Iwama Dojo, O-Sensei’s house, and Aiki Shrine standing in their original configurations will provide the connective experience to the Founder for future students who wish to train there. We would like to offer our help in the rebuilding effort. We are requesting donations from you and your students to aid in this project. It is not mandatory to contribute, and there are no limits on contributions.

Please visit www.dojoearthquakerelief.org for information on donating to the reconstruction effort. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully yours,

Bill Witt
President
Takemusu Aikido Association, Inc.