Tomiki Aikido (Randori and Koryu no Kata) [Paperback]

Lee Ah Loi (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 74 pages
• Publisher: Paul Crompton (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1874250200
• ISBN-13: 978-1874250203
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,441,271 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This was our Aikido textbook for more than 10 years, March 27, 2001

By 

David Harvey (Sydney, NSW, Australia.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tomiki Aikido (Randori and Koryu no Kata) (Paperback)

I trained Tomiki Aikido (now known as Shodokan Aikido)in Sydney, Australia, for almost 14 years; and *this* was the book we all took home as our reference. It covers the basic exercises, balance-breakers, breakfalls and the 17 basic techniques of Tomiki-style Aikido (the Junanahon No Kata). The defences are all learned from an attack with a fist, a (rubber) knife or a grab to the wrist. These techniques cover what you need to know up to 2nd Kyu (Blue Belt) and will be all you need for the first few years at least. The book was written by Dr Lee Ah Loi, who is now... a 7th Dan Black Belt (JAA), and I believe the highest-ranking female in Tomiki Aikido anywhere in the world. She has a dojo in England..

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference, January 24, 2012

By 

magellan (Santa Clara, CA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Tomiki Aikido (Randori and Koryu no Kata) (Paperback)

Although now apparently out of print (and quite expensive used on Amazon) I've found this to be the best book on Tomiki aikido. But I have to say that if the used price on Amazon puts you off my instructor also recommends the two Saunders books which are far more reasonably priced.

I found it especially useful as a reference for the terminology and the main introductory kata techniques (junanahan kata, with 17 techniques). As I'm not primarily an aikido practitioner (mainly kali-escrima and wing chun/JKD), and took up aikido relatively late in my martial arts career, I needed something just on the Tomiki style, as I'm not knowledgeable enough about aikido styles in general to be able to judge correct technique between the different styles. There is enough detail and information here to be useful far beyond blue or brown belt which is what this book covers.

I've since acquired several videos of advanced Tomiki practitioners which are even better to see the distinguishing features, but this book was my first source and will always remain my favorite.

The Tomiki style is said to be more linear, simpler, and more practical than the other styles, avoiding the more complex grip change techniques and ones that are too complicated to be viable in the street. While I'm not expert enough to be able to say how this actually all plays out compared to the other styles, I've found the Tomiki style works well for me given my background is primarily in other arts, and this book was a big help to me during my first few years of training.