Customer Reviews

Total Aikido: The Master Course (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've purchased several Aikido/Martial Arts books in the past few years and I must say that this one is the best. It is difficult, if not impossible, to describe Aikido techniques in text; thus, proper illustration and easy to follow photographic sequences are critical to any Aikido text. This book has the most illuminating graphic representations of Aikido techniques of any that I have read so far. They even thought to number the photos in the sequences (a supprisingly novel concept). The accompanying description and explanation are quite well written. I wish all Aikido books were this well done.

It should be said that this book was written by Gozo Shidoa, the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido. Yoshinkan is a style that your local dojo may or may not practice. However, I find myself continually comming back to this book despite the fact that my own dojo doesn't practice Yoshinkan.

Aikido is different from other martial arts I've studied: There are so many parts to any given maneuver that it can be hard, in one's mind, to assemble the pieces into a fluid movement. This book's photographs and captions are the most instructive I've seen, and it has taken a lot of my confusion out of learning aikido.

This isn't your book if you want to read on spirituality or history. However, Shioda does an excellent job of detailing, and giving proper emphasis to, throws and "controls" found again and again in variations of techniques. He points out common mistakes. I find that reading this book enables me to duplicate classroom demonstrations I'd previously found much more difficult to understand. I think Shioda's combination of meticulous photography, along with the book's comprehensive scope, makes this book a great text if you practice for fitness, love of physics or aesthetics, or self-defense.

This is a great overview of Aikido. It explains the principles of aiki without getting into too much philosophy. The author mentions that Aikido is 70% striking ("atemi") which is very different from what you'll hear from most Aikidoka. Most Aikidoka that I come into contact with seem to forget that Aikido is a martial art and not a dance. The best set-up for an Aiki technique is to first belt your opponent.

The basic techniques (which is all you'll really ever need for self-defense) are explained in detail and demonstrated with clear black-n-white photos.

If you're already a martial artist, these techniques will be a great supplement to your existing arsenal.

This is the best book on aikido I have in a extended collection. Yoshinkan Aikido is explained in a very detailed manner, exactly pointing out the do's and don'ts of aikido's basic techniques, both ura and omote as well as tachi as suwari waza.

I myself find it especially helpful to review a specific technique when I encounter problems with them myself. Sometimes the fluent movement from my instructor in class is a bit too fluent to pinpoint certain details. Shioda's book offers the possibility to keep a certain detail in mind for the next time.

In any case, Total Aikido is a buy you'll find hard to regret.

There is always a problem learning any martial art from a book. No matter how good the pictures and explanation are, it doesn't translate well to the "real" world. This book does a little better than most. The pictures are good and the explanations are generally pretty clear. If you're looking for help in remembering what you're supposed to be learning, this book may help you. There are a couple of complaints I had, though I think they're fairly minor. First, some of the picture sequences were arranged oddly and I found this confusing. Once I worked it out, it was ok. Second, the names of the techniques are different than I've seen used by most other Aikido dojos. This was also easily overcome as the differences were pretty minor (ikkajo instead of ikkyo), but it was annoying in a niggling sort of way.

Like most americans, I practice Tohei's ki society. So the book doesn't match class, but it's great to see the hard fighting aikido, and understand how the softer Shin Shin style is the same idea, really. I find this book is great and deepens my ki aikido practice. I don't actually practice these movements with a partner, as I fear that would confuse my muscle memory for class. This book also shows fine points of the controls lacking in other books, and for this it is valuable and immediately useful in any class. A great effort, makes me want to learn more about shioda :)

First, I am not dissapointed and it is worth buying it. It is completely concentrated on the basic techniques and illustrations are good. You can not become aikido expert just by reading it but you can find some good advices. The one thing it lacks is a little bit about aikido philosophy and different variations on different techniques. However, this is an excellent training manual for a beginner, as myself, although no book can replace training. It is all about practicing.

This is one of the greatest book written about Aikido. The techniques are shown in sequences and it covers everything from the basics to the advanced techniques of Aikido. Although the style taught is Yoshinkan, other schools will find it beneficial to their learning of Aikido techniques.

OSU

This isn't your book if you want to read on spirituality or history. However, Shioda does an excellent job of detailing, and giving proper emphasis to, throws and "controls" found again and again in variations of techniques. He points out common mistakes. I find that reading this book enables me to duplicate classroom demonstrations I'd previously found much more difficult to understand. I think Shioda's combination of meticulous photography, along with the book's comprehensive scope, makes this book a great text if you practice for fitness, love of physics or aesthetics, or self-defense.

Shioda rocks! This book is fabulous, like a class with the master. Take note, this book is still an introduction to aikido, but more in-depth on the techniques covered. Gives you the flavor of training with Shioda. That said -- the book is fabulous. Detailed pictures, clear writing, excellent diagrams of involved physics, and quality binding make this book superb. Even if you don't do Yoshinkan, it is great, because at some level (higher than mine :) ) aikido is aikido.