Customer Reviews

Aikido (Illustrated Japanese Classics)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Quite simply one of the finest Aikido texts available. From basic principles, to specific techniques, to philosophy and history, this book has it all. Nothing can replace study in a dojo, but this book makes the difference detween doing and understanding what you are doing. Also see "Principles of Aikido" by Saotome Sensei.

This is my very first book in Aikido (or any martial art for that matter). I wasn't a practitioner then and I didn't have a clue what was transpiring in between the pages. However, the book is a great reference for me when I started training because it helped me identify and remember the movements I had picked up during class. That came in really handy during grading. I like the footwork and handwork illustrations, although the translation and explanations lack detail. But a great book to have nonetheless.

I found this book an excellent source and a good introduction for Akikdo. There are several techniques in the book, accompanied by very clear and concise verbal explanation. The only thing I don't like is the quality of the pictures. Most of them are too dark and too small. It is difficult to see the exact hands position in the picture. If you are an experience Aikido practitioner, you probably can guess what they are doing and how to place your hands in certain technique. If not, it's hard to see the subtle point of the technique.

Of course, even the best book is not a substitution of a real practice with a good teacher, but good books can help you a lot. I think this book is a good reference for a seasoned Aikidoka, but for a beginner or a general audience (like me) who needs more accurate description and illustration of teachniques, two books by Mr. Gozo Shioda are much easier to follow.

I have various versions of this book and have never thought that it adequately reflected what Kisshomaru Ueshiba could really teach us about aikido. There are techniques that one would not usually found taught in many North American dojo, and a heavy emphasis on the Japanese terminology that accompany them. These facts make the book a valuable addition to any martial artist's library. Some minor editing mistakes and the lack of a personal approach to aikido by the author make it also one of the least motivating books on aikido I have read. Hopefully the Doshu (Ueshiba) will have the book edited at least one again, and will accompany the current text with some more personalized reflections of what aikido has meant to him personally.

Kisshomaru Ueshiba is the son of Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei, the founder of Aikido, and is the current Aikido Doshu (Master of the Way) and head of the Aikikkai organization.
The book is intended to be a help to beginners and explains basic things like breakfalls, stances, basic techniques and even goes as far as showing some unarmed defenses to attacks from jo and ken (stick and sword).
It also includes a chapter on the life of O-Sensei and how he came to create Aikido. A very interesting reading.

Pure great book.
It is very very very well written.
Recommended for jujitsu and brazilian jiu jitsu fighters

Great book with excellent pictures. Gives a great view if the background of Aikido from the founder. A must read for the seroius Aikidoist.

This one owns a good library of books written by the various original aikido students of O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba and this one has an appreciation of them all however, some are not as descriptive of technique and complete as others in this regard.
"Aikido", by Kisshomaru Ueshiba, which was originally written in Japanese and then well translated into English is the best of this one's collection as to the exposition and explanation of the techinques of aikido, including foot work diagrams.
As Kisshomaru Ueshiba is the thrid son of O'Sensei and after O'Sensei passed became the doshu of aikido, one should expect such expertise and exactness.
As with many aikido books, some of the hand techniques are a bit lacking and there is little if any description of the warm up exercises used at the beginning of most classes. Ukemi, the falls and rolls used to protect the uke as he or she receives a technique are also not given the priority this one might have assigned the same.
The spiritual aspect of aikido, which O'Sensei emphasized during the later part of this life and teaching is not as well covered as this one might have preferred.
My only true complaint is that this one purchased this book as "new" and was obviously sent a "used" of the same ( as made evident by the business card that someone had placed in it as a bok mark...) however, it did arrive in good condtion.
namaste.

Although the info is not groundbreaking, this book, written while the Founder was still living, is a most accurate accounting of many basic-to-intermediate techniques as taught in the formative years of the art.

This is a great book. For all ppl in aikido, from the beginer to the advanced student.
If you want to now more about aikido history, and O'sensei life, you will find it here too.
Its a "classic" for an aikido colection!
Enjoy it