Customer Reviews

Takemusu Aikido Volume I: Background and basics

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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.

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 time!"

I began practicing Aikido again after more than 15 years since the last time I stood on a mat, it is proving 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, that it just captivated me from the first moment I saw it in action.

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 and seeing people enjoying this beautiful art, it is nice to see more and more people practicing this "life-long" beautiful and humbling art.

Best Regards,

Beto



Beto