Takemusu Aikido Volume I: Background and basics [Paperback]

Morihiro Saito (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 2000

This work, "Takemusu Aikido, Volume 1: Background & Basics," is the first of Morhiro Saito’s new comprehensive series of Aikido technical manuals. Saito Sensei, 9th dan, and one of Aikido’s leading experts, presents more than sixty variations of ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, and yonkyo techniques, the most essential of the art’s basic forms. Illustrated with over 600 photographs and accompanied by clear and detailed step-by-step explanations, "Background & Basics" provides an indispensable guide for both beginning and advanced practitioners. Morihiro Saito, is the author of the highly acclaimed technical series, "Traditional Aikido," published in the early 1970s. Saito enrolled as a student of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba in 1946. One of the art’s foremost technicians, he was the acknowledged authority on aikido weapons training. Saito operated Ueshiba’s private dojo in Iwama, Japan and served as guardian of the Aiki Shrine for more than 30 years. He traveled extensively throughout the world teaching his comprehensive aikido training methods for three decades. Stanley A. Pranin is a 5th degree black belt and editor-in-chief of "Aikido Journal." Pranin began Aikido practice in 1962 and started training under Morihiro Saito in Iwama in 1977. He served as Saito Sensei’s interpreter at numerous international seminars during the 1980s. Pranin is the author of "The Aiki News Encyclopedia of Aikido" and "Aikido Pioneers - Prewar Era," a collection of interviews with early disciples of the Founder of Aikido.

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: Aiki News (September 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4900586161
• ISBN-13: 978-4900586161
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #898,745 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best systematic aikido presentation, July 21, 2005

By 

H. Zsolt "Halasz Zsolt" (Hungary) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Takemusu Aikido Volume I: Background and basics (Paperback)

It's not a wonder, that shihan Saito made the best systematic presentation of aikido. I recommend this book (and all the five) for both, beginners and masters. If you want to know the "standard" of aikido techniques, simply by this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book from a great Aikido Master, May 16, 2011

By 

Beto van Beethoven "Beto" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Takemusu Aikido Volume I: Background and basics (Paperback)

I told my Sensei as a joke, that I have 2 left feet when it comes to practice Aikido... then my Sensei told me, "That is alright, just use one feet at a time!"

I began practicing Aikido again after more than 15 years since the last time I stood on a mat, it is proving to be a very humbling experience. Aikido is a life-long journey in one of the most demanding, challenging and difficult martial arts to learn, yet there is certain hidden beauty to it, it captivated me from the first moment I saw it.

At our dojo we practice Takemusu (Iwama Aikido) style. The author Morihiro Saito Sensei, explains that his former Master, Aikido founder Moriheu Ueshiba, called the art he perfected in Iwama after World War II, "Takemusu Aikido" "the inexhaustible fount of Aikido techniques".

The book is very well written and well edited. Stanley Pranin, former student of Saito Sensei did an excellent job co-writing. The authors included in Part I, a fascinating history on Aikido Background, an overview of Aikido History, what it was like to train under O'Sensei and the spreading of Iwama Aikido worldwide. Part II contains detailed and important descriptions on Aikido basics. Then 4 rich parts full of clear pictures describing Ikkyo, Nikyio, Sankyio and Yonkyo techniques, closing with a useful Glossary and one page with very nice quotes from the founder Morihei Ueshiba.

For a beginner like me, this book is a great tool to do some study or training "off-the mat" at home, it helps reinforce what I have learn on the mat.

I've been told Saito Sensei was a great humble master, who loved teaching well his students and for them to master the appropriate techniques. This book is a great addition to any Aikidoka collection.