Saito Sensei began his Aikido training in Iwama under O'Sensei in 1946. During the
next 23 years he dedicated his life to training, and with his wife cared for O'Sensei
in his later years. Saito Sensei spent more consecutive time under O'Sensei's
tutelage than any other person. O'Sensei granted Saito Sensei a parcel of land
adjacent to the Iwama Dojo and upon O'Sensei's passing Saito Sensei became
custodian of the neighbouring Aiki Jinja (Aikido Shrine) and Dojo Cho
(headmaster) of the Aiki Shuren (Iwama) Dojo. After that time Saito Sensei
taught thousands of people as uchi deshi (live in) and soto deshi (live out) in
Iwama and traveled all over the world to lead Aikido seminars. Saito Sensei
continually maintained that he taught the Aikido that O'Sensei had taught on a
daily basis in Iwama.