Customer Reviews

Best Aikido: The Fundamentals (Illustrated Japanese Classics)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have 4 other titles on Aikido and have browsed through quite a few others. I must say this is by far the best on the basics of Aikido. The pictures are reasonably clear and the descriptions are reasonably detailed. However, I would have liked all the techniques executed (and pictures taken) without the hakama on so that the readers can have a good look at the footwork as well.

I have read several aikido books that demonstrate visually, proper aikido techniques. This is the first book I have read that was easy to follow, easy to understand and easy to remember. Although it was easy in all these areas, it wasn't at all lacking. The information in this book is "must have" for any beginning aikido practitioner.

I'm a beginner (aren't we all) and have about 5 aikido books in the library so far. I am currently preparing for a kyu test and this book is the most helpful. Period. Not as good as time in the dojo, but very good.

The pictures are clear and they confirm the stuff we all should already know. More importantly for me is that this book has the most understandable presentation of the names and words for the various stances, holds, throws, etc.

An excellent book, for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. The Authors are of highest grade as is their book; there is simply no contest. A review of all the "Fundamentals" an aikidoka needs to know and "daily practice". Highly recommended.

I found this book to be a good overview of the fundamentals. It covers what most other aikido books do as fas as techniques but I especially liked the Basics and Warmups section at the beginning, as well as the philosophy. They actually expressed that aikido is not a rigid curriculum(which is how many schools are run) but that it is up to the practitioner to explore the art.

As for the techniques, you could see the same thing in a book by Kisshomaru Ueshiba back in 1985(Aikido). So this book to me is just another publishing of the same techniques. I was hoping for better pictures, but I would rate them the same as the 1985 book. Kind of pixely B&W's. There are some good inserts to show detail, which was not in his previous book.

I guess I'll wait for the 2nd book to come out in December 2003. Looks like it will cover more details. But nothing compares to actual hands-on. I'd say that both books would be good for beginners.

Best Aikido is a book for mid-level students. The pictures are excellent, the descriptions are brief, to the point, and on a level for students who have already mastered the basics. Very easy to understand. I know of no other single book that shows so many different mid-level techniques. This is part one. the Part 2 Book is the master's Course. Together, they are probably the most comprehensive, exhaustive, current, authoritative references for Aikido.

This was a gift for a ... friend. Having had unusual difficulties ordering this item on her own, she was thrilled to finally get a copy.
So I think it safe to say, she would've given this a five star rating, for the item and the vendor's quick response.

This is a good book for the beginner. It answers most questions and demonstrates the fundamental techniques. It is one to refer back to after/or just before a class. I recommend the second part to this book, as well as the third installment from Moriteru Ueshiba, they are both as good as this and combined make and excellent aikido reference.

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This is probably the defacto textbook on Aikido fundamentals, however like most Aikido (or martial arts) books it doesn't provide much explanations on why & how. It's a photo sequence manual on basic to intermediate Aikido movements. It's a good reference manual for anyone who wants to learn Aikido.

This is a well formatted and profusely illustrated volume. All info is basic, but the presentation is very good.