Aikido and Chinese Martial Arts: Aikido and Weapons Training Vol.2 (Aikido & Weapons Training) (Paperback)

by Tetsutaka Sugawara (Author), Xing Lujian (Author) "First touch your thumb and middle finger and then grip with all your fingers..." (more)
Key Phrases: uchikomi steps, rieht foot, jomon pot, Jouko Pukkila, Northern Tohoku, Taira Sugawara (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Introduction
In this volume, we take up the theme, "how to use weapons in Aikido and Chinese martial arts". Through weapons training, you will be able to understand about the following martial arts elements:
(1) The difference between body techniques and weapons training
(2) The difference between the Japanese curved sword, and the Chinese straight sword
(3) How to take a proper distance
(4) How to watch your partner's eyes
(5) How to grab your partner's mind
(6) How to mo e with good timing
(7) Proper traditional foot work
(8) Circular movements with the weapon
(9) A block should include an attack, an attack should include a block
(10) Long weapon's, and short weapon's weak points
(11) The weak points of armor
(12) How ancient people produced good steel about two thousand years ago with little technology.
In our training, we must vow to take responsibility not to use weapons for disreputable reasons. Our purpose of Japanese/Chinese weapons training should be for lifelong study and good health. Also, I challenge the readers to try and smelt their own iron and attempt to produce swords. --Tetsutaka Sugawara, March 15th, 1998

About the Author

TETSUTAKA SUGAWARA was born in Hokkaido in 1941 In 1960 he began Aikido at the Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, under O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido. In 1961, he became uchideshi under O-Sensei at the Ibaraki Dojo. In 1964, he returned to Tokyo and entered Chuo University. In 1973, he established Minato Research and Publishing Co. (currently Sugawara Martial Arts Institute, Inc.) In 1975 he entered the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu receiving the 'kyoshi' instructor's licence in 1986. In 1995 he was awarded 7th dan in Aikido from Kisshomaru Ueshiba. He has published: Budo Training in Aikido by Morihei Ueshiba, Traditional Aikido by M. Saito, The Deity and the Sword - Katori Shinto Ryu by R. Otake, Traditional Karatedo by M. Higaonna, Shinkage-ryu Sword Techniques by T. Watanabe, and T'ai Chi Ch'uan, T'ai-chi Swordplay/Eightdiagram Palm, Chen style Tai Chi Chuan by Y. Xing, Fukien Ground Boxing by C. Chai, Form and Will Boxing (Shing Yee Ch'uan) by J. Lin. He has also studied Goju-ryu Karate and T'ai Chi Ch'uan.
LUJIAN XING was born in Shandong province in the Peoples Republic of China in 1963. He entered Fujian Chinese Medical Science University in 1980 graduating in 1985. He studied northern/southern style 50 kinds of Chinese Martial Arts under Chuxiang Du, Yanling Xing and other instructors. In 1992, he entered Sugawara Martial Arts Institute as an uchideshi under Tetsutaka Sugawara and learnt Aikido and Katori Shinto Ryu techniques, also studying the relationships between Aikido and Chinese martial arts with Tetsutaka Sugawara. In 1993, he entered the School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University. After graduation, he joined the National Institute of Health Sciences, Japan in 1995, studying to create new medicines using herbs.
MARK JONES was bum in San Francisco, California in 1951 and began his Aikido training in 1970 at Napa Valley College under the direction of Dr. William Morris. Since that time, he has studied with many teachers in the Bay Area and in Japan with Morihiro Saito Sensei in Iwama. Ibaraki-Ken and Tetsutaka Sugawara Senaei in Machida, Tokyo. Mark founded Aikido of Napa in1983 which is affiliated with Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan. Aikido of Napa has ongoing classes for both children and adults and is host to Sugawara Sensei on his annual trips to the C SA. Mark holds the rank of godan, 5th degree black belt, in Aikido and has studied various other martial arts, including Katori Shinto Ryu, Karate, Judo and Tai Chi as well as competing in foil fencing in college. Mark works full time in the computer industry and in his spare time teaches Aikido at his dujo in the beautiful Napa Valley, California. He can be reached through the dojo web page at www.napaaikido.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 366 pages
• Publisher: Japan Publications Trading (October 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870409638
• ISBN-13: 978-0870409639
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,022,771 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Detailed Overview & Comparison of Chin-na & Aikido, February 9, 2003

By	C. J. Hardman (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Aikido and Chinese Martial Arts: Its Fundamental Relations Vol.1 (Paperback)

This 332 page volume is the first in a projected 3-volume series. This first volume compares the philosophy of Chinese Martial arts with that of Aikido, and the empty-handed combative aspects of both arts. This volume is broken down into four sections. The first offers a historical context for both Japanese and Chinese martial arts, the second part deals with Chinese martial arts, and is heavily illustrated and includes descriptive narratives to accompany each sequence of photos. Part three deals with Aikido (specifically the Takemusu style), and illustrated by photos with explanations much the same as part two did for the Chinese arts. Part four includes direct comparisons of the most common techniques of aikido and Chinese Martial Arts.

This book is heavily illustrated, and apparently intended for people who have an interest in understanding the similarities and differences--in essence, the connections between different "styles" of martial arts. I do not consider this book to be instructional in nature. Someone without a basis in martial arts training might have difficulty understanding the depth or point of this book--both Chinese martial arts and Aikido are rather extensive in and of themselves. The authors of this book are also NOT concerned with proving that one art is superior in any way to the other. For those with a more studious bent who enjoy considering the possibilities, here is a volume you will enjoy.

A note on the co-author's relationship in research: Co-Author Tetsutaka Sugawara Studied Aikido under the arts Founder Morihei Ueshiba beginning in 1960, and has also studied Goju Ryu and Tai Chi--he is the founder of the Minato Research and Publishing Co (Now known as Sugawara Martial Arts Institute). Co-Author Lu-jian Xing studied Chinese martial arts under Chu-xinag Du, Yan-ling Xing, and others. He met Sugawara when he came to Japan in 1992 to learn Aikido as an Uechi-deshi (live in student) under Sugawara at the Sugawara Institute, and the two commenced their comparative study of these martial arts. The second volume in this series has been published, and deals with weapons aspects of both Chinese Arts and Aikido. I eagerly await the third volume in this series...

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Advanced Primer and History Book, January 26, 2002

By	M. A. Ramos (Florida USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

First I would like to say that this book is not for the beginner. The beginning history would be benneficial for all. History is followed over the 1st 100 pages. But the majority of the book is directed mainly toward the art of Aikido and Chin Na. There are many photographs in the book (some other angles would have been most helpful), but the written explanations are fantastic. An overlooked treasure. A must for all those that study Aikido and Chin Na.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Covers Mid-Range Weapons of Aikido and Chinese martial arts., February 9, 2003

By	C. J. Hardman (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Although this is still a terrific book for anyone with an interest in comparitive martial arts study, I didn't feel this volume was as thorough as the first in actually comparing Chinese Martial arts versus Aikido (Takemusu style). The second in a planned three part series on the Comparative study of Chinese martial arts and Aikido, this book includes sections on Aikido sword and jo (a staff about 36-50 inches in length), and Chinese sword methods. A paperback volume, the volume I own was printed on quality acid-resistant paper. I noticed an improvement in the quality of the pictures in this volume from those in the first.

Author Sugawara clearly states in the introduction that the theme of this volume is to introduce the reader to the "how to's" of weapons training in both styles, so perhaps volume three of this series will cover what I felt was missing. As per the statements of the author, this volume DOES give decent coverage to the weapons methods of both Aikido and Chinese Martial practice. Both Tetsutaka Sugawara and Lu-jian Xing are versed in Aikido and Chinese martial arts (each has extensively studied BOTH), and therefore have a good grasp on the methods and philosophies of both arts. This has probably helped this series avoid any competitive air between these martial arts, where one might try to "prove" that one method is any better or worse than the other. This is the first book that has broached the subject of Chinese sword and Aikido Sword in the same volume--I look forward to the third volume in this series.