An OMOTO shrine located in IWAMA, Ibaragi Prefecture erected in the early 1960s by Morihei UESHIBA which symbolizes his belief in aikido as a spiritual discipline. Site of an annual ceremony presided over by Omoto priests held on April 29 (to coincide with the late Showa Emperor's birthday, a national holiday) in commemoration of the death of Ueshiba (d. 26 April 1969). An older shrine no longer in use constructed c. 1943 still stands behind the present structure. Morihiro SAITO was the shrine's guardian from 1969 until his death in May 2002. The present DOSHU Moriteru Ueshiba now assumes this title.