Josh Gold“Those new to aikido who never met Saito Sensei and who have come to know him only through their own instructors now have an avenue to access this master directly through his videos and books that have been recreated into a new form retrievable through the variety of computing devices now at our disposal.”
Obviously, the tite of this piece was meant to capture your attention. If you’re reading this it worked!
Yesterday, I happened across one of those videos on youtube that combines the performances of two famous artists, one living and one from a previous era, into a contemporary act. In this case, Celine Dion from 2007 was singing along with Elvis Presley from a 1968 concert. The effect was magical and totally convincing as both stars appeared to be on the stage together singing and interacting. This is even more startling considering that the technology used to produce this particular performance is now outdated. Even more amazing things can now be created and who knows what the future will bring. If you’re curious to see what I saw, you can view Elvis Presley and Celine Dion singing a duet here.
What does any of this have to do with Morihiro Saito? Simply this. Each of these figures were geniuses who produced a gigantic impact in their respective fields of endeavor. It also emphasizes that the preservation of film, video, photos, audio recordings, and any other form of document is of utmost importance. This is because the irrevocable advance of technology will allow these legacy documents to be repurposed into new and unimagined works that exceed the intent and reach of the original materials.
An example of this is the hybrid product we have recently created titled Morihiro Saito’s “Complete Guide to Aikido” . What we have done is to gather together approximately 17 hours of seminar video footage from the 1980s and 90s and combine this large video collection with the contents of eight published books of Saito Sensei meticulously divided into individual techniques.
This huge amount of material is accessible through a custom interface that allows some 230 videos and over 600 pdf files to be stitched together into a coherent whole. What’s more, each component of the “Guide” is presented in bilingual, Japanese and English format to allow access to the widest possible audience. This packaging allows an experience that far exceeds merely attending one of Saito Sensei’s seminars decades ago. Everything is created and organized to allow any present-day practitioner to digest and master this mountain of technical knowledge.
The emergence of such hybrid pedagogical materials has multiple implications for aikidoka of today and the future. Those of us who were privileged enough to have had extensive contact with Saito Sensei are aging and some have left us. In an earlier age, this would have gradually weakened the impact of Morihiro Saito’s monumental technical contributions as has occurred with the legacy of Morihei Ueshiba. The essence of the Founder’s creation has been greatly diluted and, for the most part, lost.
Those new to aikido who never met Saito Sensei and who have come to know him only through their own instructors now have an additional avenue to access this master directly through his videos and books that have been recreated into a new form retrievable through the variety of computing devices now at our disposal.
Now anyone who wishes to study Morihiro Saito’s curriculum have at their fingertips far more material than those of us who knew him well ever had. Not only that, they can walk around carrying a device that weighs only a few ounces and consult this treasure trove of information at their convenience.
This video will give you a good look at the “Guide”, how it functions, and the many ways it can be used by instructors and practitioners alike.
This, however, is not the end of the story. The “Complete Guide to Aikido” constitutes a proof of concept of the potential of hybrid products that mix and recombine different media. There are quite a number of videos from Saito Sensei’s active years in the hands of private parties. Some of this legacy will be lost to us due to neglect and the irreversible deterioration of the videotape medium. Other videos will survive in digital form at least for a generation or two. Some of this material has found a home here at Aikido Journal due to the kindness and foresight of those who loved Saito Sensei and wish to insure that future generations will come to know him in a meaningful way.
Given this fact and since the technological infrastructure now exists, it will be possible to expand the amount of resources contained in the “Guide” to the point that this collection will include virtually the entire technical curriculum in multiple iterations rapidly accessible through a simple interface consisting of thousands of links. The same thing can be achieved for any master for whom sufficient material has survived into the present. We intend to undertake similar tasks for other giants of an earlier age.
Also, emphasis on hip movement.
It is interesting and intriguing to see such a vast collection of instruction being preserved. Personally, according to me they all are forgetting the emphasis of “zanshin” which is trademark and of importance to aikido. As done by great shioda sensei and now his federation. After this, please take up a task of combining Shioda sensei’s technical videos. He deserves to preserved in AV format for future generations. Thank you for your effort again.
Hi Stan, you have just given me a thought and a couple of years ago this would have been unthinkable.
New technology indeed, well how about this for an idea.
This year will see the launch of the Microsoft Holo lens and Oculus rift devices, wouldn’t it be absolutely incredible to put one of these headsets on and be able to attend any Saito Sensei Seminar as if in person that was captured on video, indeed this technology would allow attendance of any sensei that you like and be there in person.
The possibilties could be endless, for example:
To use you words Stan “stitch together” several frames of techniques and be able to view them form different angles, in still frame, slow motion and then in normal speed as if you were actually there close up and personal.
To be able to view the precise angles of the feet hip and hand alignments and positioning.
Again this could be done with any teachers surviving video.
You have stirred incredible possibilities in my mind with the release of these new technologies, what do you think?
Always in friendship … Andy B