Best Aikido was written for the following reasons: Although it is a difficult concept for beginning students to understand, the techniques of Aikido are born from the harmonization between the human body and the universal energy (ki) of heaven and earth. Or more simply, all the various Aikido techniques are derived from the principle of natural movement. Since each and every Aikido technique has a special character, open to individual interpretation, the number of Aikido techniques is limitless. Thus, Aikido cannot be taught in strictly set patterns or put into a rigid system. This has been the approach to Aikido instruction since the art was established by the Founder, Morihei Ueshiba.

I received direct instruction from the Founder for many years, and thereafter worked in accordance with his wishes to promote Aikido. Aikido is now an art practiced internationally by millions of men and women, young and old, in many countries.

In order to establish the practice of Aikido even more widely, after careful consideration I selected, from the vast number of possibilities, the techniques most essential to the art. These techniques can be practiced by anyone, young or old, and will make it easier to train and achieve efficiency in the art.

Furthermore, Aikido contains many important principles as a martial art. It is my belief that these principles have universal validity, and the spirit behind Aikido techniques should be even more widely disseminated.

This book is not merely a technical manual. Such manuals only describe the outer form of Aikido. In this book, Aikido is presented as a spiritual path as well as a martial art. Best Aikido contains the essentials for understanding the art, the essentials for training, and the essential forms of Aikido.

I am pleased that this primer, Best Aikido, was co-authored with my son Moriteru, who is carrying on the tradition of developing and promoting Aikido, according to its true principles. We are entering a new era, and I welcome his full participation in the creation of the text and posing for the photographs demonstrating the techniques. It is my sincere hope that this book will aid all practitioners of the art in their further understanding of the form and spirit of Aikido, and facilitate their training.

August, 1997
Kisshomaru Ueshiba