Customer Reviews

Aikido: The Complete Basic Techniques

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If you have to buy one book on Yoshinkan Aikido, I would recommend Total Aikido by Gozo Shioda (same author). Total Aikido goes into much greater detail on basic stance, basic movements, breakfalls, history, self defense application, and principals of Yoshinkan Aikido. However, this book is a great compliment to Total Aikido, primarily focusing on application of more than 100 basic techniques, mostly demonstrated in the photos by the founder, Gozo Shioda, himself. This is a great reference source for any Yoshinkan practitioner. The book also briefly covers kamae, kihon dosa (alone and with a partner), ukemi, shikko-ho, and a few other basic principles. This book cannot replace the experience from training under a qualified instructor, but is a valuable tool for the student who wants to refresh and review what he/she has learned. Aikido, The Complete Basic Techniques is also a great tool for instructors who wish to review details of the techniques performed by the founder, and resolve any debates on application of basic techniques.

Aikido: The Complete Basic Techniques comes from a master and teacher and the top student of modern Akikido's founder, so it's backed with much experience and authority as it explains all the most important basic techniques of the martial arts and surveys their underlying teaching. The Basic Throws which are key to early Aikido practice are based on a revised edition of an earlier Japanese-only textbook: this updated version appears in English for the first time and pairs small step-by-step back and white photos with clear instruction. Both specialty martial arts and general-interest libraries will find it a fine basic reference.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This is one of the best books on Yoshinkan Aikido. Really you only need two books, Total Aikido and Aikido: the complete basic techniques

the photography diagrams w/ almost 3 dimensional clarity smooth transitions of the body in motion for essential advantages over opponent. It is a substantial & gratifying guide to a novice who is pro actively respectful of their own worth against an opponent's assumption of their overriding element of surprise.

This book, although not written for the beginner Aikidoist, is very straight forward and easy to understand. The illustrations are extremely helpful. Some basics are needed in order to get the most out of the information contained in this writing. If it included the mindset and philosophy that is behind Aikido, it would be truly complete. The moves explained can be done with reading, studying and proper practice techniques as well as having a willing uke. Otherwise it's a very good book.

This book presents the fundamental techniques of Yoshinkai aikido, clearly describing how the moves are to be performed. My only concern is that buki-waza are not also presented. Otherwise I have found this book to be quite helpful, and more extensive than Dynamic Aikido.