Customer Reviews

The Structure of Aikido: Volume 1: Kenjutsu and Taijutsu Sword and Open-Hand Movement Relationships

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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This is a very good volume of work that helps the aikido student learn how empty-hand techniques such as shiho-nage, irmi-nage and the 5 control holds all evolved from swordsmanship techniques. Anything that aids a student in realizing the purposes behind a technique can give him or her a better grasp of how to apply it in the dojo. Philosophically, this volume also aids the aikido student in realizing the peaceful intent of aikido. Looking at some of the photo series depicting sword vs. sword conflict, you get a real grasp of the fact that Ueshiba Morihei took violent, blood-spilling killing techniques and modified them into non-violent, peaceful restraining techniques that inflict no injury. In Aikido, sword techniques that were designed to disembowel opponents have been modified to allow a diligent student to overcome a violent attack with a minimum of force or effort. Gaku Homma has done aikido enthusiasts all over the world a great service with this book. I eagerly look forward to his next book, in which he promises to do for the jo, or short staff, what he has done for the wooden sword in this book.

I'm sure their are plenty of Aikideshi like myself who wish our instruction included a higher ratio of weapons practice. This book is an excellent stimulus for exploration into the roots of Aikido through Kenjutsu. Countless sword techniques are explained step by step, with photos; then the hand-to-hand derivation is outlined right next to it, also with photos. Being in my second year of Aikido, through this book I learned that my weapons training isn't some outdated tradition (who fights with a sword?). In fact, our martial philosophy and hand-to-hand techniques are honed by the understanding/practice of Aikiken and Aikijo.

I am a Jujutsuka and I would highly recommend this book to any martial artist. It breaks the techniques down into concepts and principals and warns against using "cookie cutter" techniques in self defense. This is good logic, and good martial arts.

This is the kind of book one could ready many times and get something different from it every time. I also thought the translation was great - would heve been nice if ALL terms were defined in the text as well.

This is the best technique book I have ever read. The book is very practical in the order that it is layed out; and clear in showing the relationship between the the arts. The clearity and order of the photos make it very easy to follow each technique from start to finish. Each technique is true to its Japanese art; their does not look to have any mix of other arts or peronal change to any of the movements. This is an excelent book.

This book shows in great detail how aikido empty hand techniques related to techniques with weapons.

This book will deepen your understanding of how Aikido techniques are linked to sword fighting. An excellent, visual presentation of Aikido footwork, timing and mental attitude. I wish Mr. Homma would complete the series he had planned with the publication of this book. Highly recommended!

The book shows an interesting Comparison between the moves associated with Kenjustu ( Sword Techniques ) and Taijutsu ( Open hand techniques ). It shows how each of the arts compliment each other, and gives very easy to understand instructions and information about the art of Aikido

This book is structured in a way that makes it easy for the beginning aikidoist to improve in this art. I showed it to my teacher and he found it so interesting in its comparison and linking between kenjutsu and taijutsu that he bought a copy for himself. I strongly recommend it!

Aikido is based on the Japanese sword and this book clearly shows where it came from.

It is worthwhile for any serious adherent of the art of peace to read repeatedly.

The only lack in this work is that one needs good eyesight so as to reveiw this work. The photos are, by necesiisty, a bit small.

I highly recommned this work for all who pracitce and/or teach aikido.

namaste

I love Gaku Homma's books for their straightforwardness. This one is exactly what the subtitle says it is. I wish there were a higher text-to-photo ratio, but mostly I wish Gaku Homma had finished the series of which this was the first book. If you train in aikido already, I suspect there's a good chance you've seen this material already. But if you train in other martial arts and have an interest in aikido, I think this book could be very informative for you.