Daniel TOUTAIN

Student of late Master Morihiro, 9th Dan

Daniel TOUTAIN, 6th Dan Japan has been a certified French instructor ("Diplôme d'Etat français") since 1977. He was a direct student of the late Master Morihiro SAITO.
He now perpetuates the teachings of Master SAITO within the Iwama Ryu International Academy which has numerous representatives in France and abroad (see the list of representatives of the Iwama Ryu International Academy)

40 years in Aikido...

Daniel TOUTAIN began practising Aikido in 1968 with Masamichi NORO Sensei until 1978 (full time from 1976). He then followed Nobuyoshi TAMURA Sensei's teaching for nine years, including four very intensive years.

Daniel TOUTAIN
6^th Dan Iwama - Japan

During this period, he successively held the positions of  D.T.R. - Regional Technical Delegate - at the National Union of Aikido (UNA), and then R.T.N. - National Technical Supervisor - at the French Free Federation of Aikido and Budo (FFLAB).

Daniel TOUTAIN remains grateful to his first two teachers, Master NORO and Master TAMURA, for everything they taught him. In particular, he has great respect and esteem for Master TAMURA, who occupies a special place in his development.

Attracted by the Japanese swordsmanship, Daniel TOUTAIN has also practiced Iaido for many years. He also took an interest in Wing Chun (external style of Chinese boxing) he studied for about four years with a Chinese Master based in London.

But it is finally his meeting with Morihiro SAITO Sensei which marked a turning point in his research...

Meet with Master Morihiro Saito

Morihiro SAITO Sensei, 9th Dan Aikikai, was in charge of the Dojo of the Founder of the Aikido, O-Sensei Morihei UESHIBA, in Iwama. He was also the guardian of the Aiki Jinja (shrine dedicated to Aikido). Master SAITO is recognized worldwide as the disciple who has most accurately transmitted the techniques taught by O Sensei Morihei UESHIBA, having lived at his side for 23 years. He was regarded as the only veritable specialist of the Aikido weapon techniques developed by the Founder. Like many teachers throughout the world, Daniel TOUTAIN has long been inspired by the detailed explanations from SAITO Sensei's books and films before meeting him. However, he realised from the first class with this great expert that his understanding of these educational material was far from reality and that nothing could replace lessons taken directly from the Master.

Daniel TOUTAIN and his master Morihiro SAITO Sensei in Iwama (Japan)

Daniel TOUTAIN had long wanted to follow the teaching of Morihiro SAITO Sensei before becoming his student. It is in Iwama, Japan, that he has been finally able to study under the direction of Morihiro SAITO Sensei who accepted him as Uchi Deshi  (internal student living close to the Master) just after they first meet in 1992. Thus, for ten years, he did two or three stays each year in the Founder's Dojo to follow a full-time training of several weeks .

Moreover, he attended virtually all of the regular European seminars given by his Master.

In Japan, Daniel TOUTAIN realised that SAITO Sensei taught and faithfully preserved the authentic Aikido of the founder Morihei UESHIBA. He found with his Master in Iwama what he had always been searching for: a genuine Budo style that was logical and effective yet preserving O Sensei Morihei UESHIBA's message of peace and harmony.

Beyond the technical education, Daniel TOUTAIN remains strongly influenced by this big-hearted professor of whom he was very fond and whose disappearance in May 2002 has deeply saddened him.

Daniel Toutain's teaching

Daniel TOUTAIN's technique corresponds strictly to that perpetuated in the Iwama Dojo by SAITO Sensei who conferred on him the grade of 6^th Dan in March 2002.

In all his classes and seminars, Daniel TOUTAIN  strictly follows the teaching he received from Master SAITO. He makes every effort to promote Iwama Ryu, the name used by Saito Sensei to designate the traditional Iwama Aikido and to preserve the Founder's Aikido. Daniel TOUTAIN has hosted Master SAITO in France on several occasions, as well as his son Hitohiro Sensei.

Daniel TOUTAIN heads the Iwama Ryu International Academy.

Each year he is contacted by teachers and practitioners in France and other countries who desire to discover and improve their technique of the Iwama Aikido of Iwama, regardless of their school affiliation or federation.

M. SAITO Sensei and his pupil Daniel TOUTAIN Daniel Toutain has been responsible for the French translation of the last series of books written by SAITO Sensei, in collaboration with Stanley PRANIN, TAKEMUSU AIKIDO (Published by BudoConcept).

Training

Outside training
at the central dojo

All representatives of the Iwama Ryu International Academy train regularly during the numerous seminars  directed by Daniel TOUTAIN, in particular the workshops dedicated to Black Belts (Yudansha) and Teachers (dojos cho), as well as "student internships" (Uchi Deshi).

Instructors wishing to incorporate this form of practice in their education have the opportunity to improve their technique during these various seminars. Those wishing to be part of this group can then obtain an annual certificate of Iwama Ryu International Academy Official Representative which will certify their skills in the Iwama Aikido without leaving their original affiliation.