31 Kumi Jo Partner Practice by Morihiro Saito

Morihiro Saito Shihan’s development of the 31-jo Kata was a meticulous process of codifying the fluid, often spontaneous movements of Morihei Ueshiba into a structured pedagogical system. During the post-war years in Iwama, O-Sensei practiced Aiki-jo with a natural energy that was difficult for students to replicate without a fixed framework. Saito Shihan, acting as the founder’s primary training partner, began to mentally map these sequences, recognizing that the technical nuances of the founder’s staff work risked being lost or diluted without a formal method of preservation. To create this structure, Saito Shihan performed a deep analytical breakdown of the founder's movements, isolating core mechanics such as choku-zuki (direct thrusts) and gaeshi-uchi (turning strikes). By defining these as Suburi, he established the fundamental building blocks necessary to execute the longer kata. He then synthesized these elements into a logical 31-count sequence that simulates a multi-directional engagement, moving from initial defensive parries to complex rotations from the hasso stance, and concluding with a series of powerful, decisive strikes. The "route" to the finalized kata was ultimately validated through the development of Kumi-jo, or partner practices. Saito Shihan broke the solo kata into sections and created specific partner responses for every count, proving that each movement possessed a direct martial intent ($riai$) that mirrored empty-hand Aikido techniques. This rigorous approach ensured that the footwork ($ashisabaki$) remained consistent across weapons and taijutsu, creating a unified system of training. Today, his 31-count system remains the standard for preserving the Iwama Ryu lineage, allowing practitioners worldwide to study the founder’s legacy through a clear, repeatable discipline. #Aikido #MartialArts #Budo #AikiJo #AikiKen #JapaneseMartialArts #MartialArtist #SelfDefense #Training #TraditionalMartialArts #IwamaRyu #IwamaStyle #MorihiroSaito #MoriheiUeshiba #Osensei #IwamaAikido #31JoKata #AikiWeapons #TraditionalAikido #Lineage #JoKata #MartialArtsTraining #WeaponTraining #DojoLife #AikidoPractitioner #Technique #StaffTraining #BlackBelt #AikidoJourney #Budoka #合気道 #武道 #武道家 #稽古 #合気道女子 #合気道人生 #自己研鑽 #演武 #体術 #精神修養 #岩間流 #岩間スタイル #斉藤守弘 #開祖 #植芝盛平 #岩間神信合気道 #伝統合気道 #岩間 #神信合気塾 #武器技 #杖 #合気杖 #三十一の杖 #型 #武器術 #剣術 #理合 #足捌き #合気道家 #道場