Since this greeting will reach our international attendees online, I will read the manuscript I have prepared in advance to facilitate the translation.

There are three things I would like to say about this monument.

The first is about the word 滴々相承 “tekiteki shoushou”

The second point is about how the text of the award monument has become a little longer than a usual monument.

The third point will be about the restoration of the Aiki Shrine. 

First.
In the opening section of the award monument, it is written that “I will inherit the legacy of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, and will continue to share his techniques and his spirit.” Here the word 滴々相承 “tekiteki shoushou”, can be translated as “To pour faithfully from one container to another” It means to transfer all the water in one container to another. Most of the time, even if you think you have moved everything, some water will remain in the original container. But in this case, it means to pour everything into the recipient. This process is challenging because it requires an extraordinary master to share everything with a true disciple, even at the risk of his life. This can only be possible when there is a deep relationship of trust. I understand that the founder and Morihiro Saito sensei shared that kind of connection, as he spent his life trying to share with his disciples what was inherited from the founder. That is why the word 滴々相承 “tekiteki shoushou” has such a deep meaning, as it can be understood as “To transfer everything faithfully”.

Second.
The text is a little longer than most common memorial monuments. This is because raising the facts, rather than writing heard stories about Morihiro sensei, will convey his achievements accurately without being confused by any inclination or exaggeration.

Third.
I remember when I had lunch on New Year’s Day with Morihiro sensei; the same year, he passed away. While drinking matcha-wari shochu, sensei said with joy, “The restoration of Aiki Shrine is finally over! Now I can meet O’sensei in the afterlife.” At that time, I wondered why he told me such a thing.

Morihiro sensei personally covered almost all of the cost of the restoration. He also produced the video series “Iwama Aikido”, all to teach us the techniques of Aikido and to pay for the restoration costs of the Aiki Shrine. The current appearance of the Aiki Shrine is due to the efforts of our teacher.

I reflect on his words now, as he wished to have the chance to inherit his legacy to us. At the end of the award inscription, I engraved Morihiro’s sensei thoughts.

Last but not least, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone from Japan and the rest of the world who supported this vast project of building this memorial monument. I feel that my heart has been connected with all the people I’ve trained and shared keiko with before. 

To end this speech, I would like to thank Hitohira Saito sensei for developing this project sincerely.

Thank you for listening.

村田 孝二
Murata Koji

Translated to English by Busenkai Tokyo