H. Saito does 31 count kata.

From 12 and on in highspeed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4cfxblKj-A

I don't now if it is the same one I have seen, but it looks like he started it from the first move. Many more god clips on that site as well and the comments people come out with are laughable.

He does the entire kata if that's what you mean, but kind of kicks up the tempo a bit from 12 and on. Impressive speed without sloppiness.

Mate that is brilliant. It seems shorter at first, then after seeing it again and again all 31 moves are there. How smooth and graceful does H sensei do it.

I personally think that Saito Jr should leave the 31 jo kata movement alone. Dont change it. It is a legacy from Osensei. Even Saito Sr did not do it. A bit of respect and modesty on tradition would be more aiki.

Hmmm...even though you have a point there Michael watch what you say. Because in that video Hitohiro sensei did all of the moves. All 31 of them. Because it was so fluent, graceful, and fast...to an untrained eye it looks different.

Hitohiro Sensei has done more aikido hours than you and I and probably everyone in this thread put together. He learned from Osensei himself and his legendary father. He grew up and trained a lot with the current doshu as well. So he is pretty up there in terms of experience, wisdom, and knowledge. I think he is in a point of his aikido life where he's got lots of energy and he wants to bring Iwama aikido back as in waaaayyy back to old Osensei aikido days.

Michael Siminig wrote: I personally think that Saito Jr should leave the 31 jo kata movement alone. Dont change it. It is a legacy from Osensei. Even Saito Sr did not do it. A bit of respect and modesty on tradition would be more aiki.

I didn't see anything different. The tempo changes several times, but the moves are still the same as always. BTW, it really looked a bit like video playback speed trick, rather than his own speed. I have seen him do the kata 'in the flesh' and he kept the same speed all the way through.

Len Shenfield wrote: I didn't see anything different. The tempo changes several times, but the moves are still the same as always. BTW, it really looked a bit like video playback speed trick, rather than his own speed. I have seen him do the kata 'in the flesh' and he kept the same speed all the way through.

I think to appreciate the speed and changes in speed you need to see these jo katas with their attacks and attackers...from my experience that is the best way to put ma-ai and emphasis where you need to.

Duncan Goodall wrote: I think to appreciate the speed and changes in speed you need to see these jo katas with their attacks and attackers...from my experience that is the best way to put ma-ai and emphasis where you need to.

I fully agree. But the footage in question was the kata itself, not the partner practice.

I do not know if this helps, but I believe I saw that clip from the Aikido chapter of "Deadly Arts"
< http://www.budovideos.com/shop/custo...cat=418&page=1 >
If I remember correctly, the context of that clip was during class Saito Sensei asked all the students to stop and watch for a moment (which explains why everyone does just that); perhaps he was trying to impress upon them the fluidity one should strive for.

Saito Sensei's son,watched this on the tube,she is traveling w/Yamada Sensei...
(Savate began in Marsilles rather than Paris among the thug's and dock worker's)...a small statement in regard's to the blurb concerning the DVD on this website...

Look's much like Tohei's 21+10...

Saito Sensei Sr...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj4FPZOR21E

I admit to being a little shocked when, in her own words, Mme Normandeau presented herself to Saito Sensei's dojo and asked to become uchi-deshi without any prior arrangements, with her travelling companion AND the film crew in tow. Other than that I enjoyed the series, though obviously at some points it was either a little sugary or heavy-handed (that's what helps sell these productions I guess).

Nick Pittson wrote: I admit to being a little shocked when, in her own words, Mme Normandeau presented herself to Saito Sensei's dojo and asked to become uchi-deshi without any prior arrangements, with her travelling companion AND the film crew in tow. Other than that I enjoyed the series, though obviously at some points it was either a little sugary or heavy-handed (that's what helps sell these productions I guess).

She doesn't practice aikido presently.I think this request was only for movie purposes.

Szczepan Janczuk wrote: She doesn't practice aikido presently.I think this request was only for movie purposes.

Ah! Thank you for clearing that up.
Was I correct in assuming she trained at Aikido de la Montagne here in Montreal? Not that it really matters either way, I was just curious....

Nick Pittson wrote: Ah! Thank you for clearing that up. Was I correct in assuming she trained at Aikido de la Montagne here in Montreal? Not that it really matters either way, I was just curious....

nooo, she came only once when Yamada sensei instructed seminar.She is not a member of this dojo.

Those were some funky kiai's.

I have been taught that Aikido is not a "kata system." It is a concept that informs all of our martial movements and even our interactions in life. As such, we use aiki weapons kata as a tool to develop and explore important facets of movement, balance, ki contact etc. We honor our teachers by learning the great forms such as Saito Shihan's published 31, 13, etc. but I have never read any statements from the Aikido greats suggesting that these movements are sacred or sacrosanct. Whenever I encounter variations in famous katas I ask three simple questions. "Is it performed well?" "Does it explore a worthwhile movement or concept?" "Is the movement martially sound?"