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Aikido
and Aiki-Books and Resources The aiki-related arts, are those martial arts whose origins lie with the Daito-ryu lineage, and continue on to the popular system of aikido, founded by Ueshiba Morihei, and expanded upon by his disciples. It is not clear to me how far back the aiki arts connected to the Daito-ryu go. There are mentions of kiaijutsu, aiki-style and aiki-jujutsu style martial arts in older documents, but not very many extant records that directly indicate a Daito-ryu style art prior to Takeda Sokaku. Takeda Sokaku, trained in swordsmanship, was a swordsman who came from Aizu province, one of the last holdouts of the Tokugawa shogunate forces against the new Meiji government. Sokaku popularized Daito-ryu by traveling across the country, developing many top students such as Horikawa Kodo, Hisa Takuma, Yoshida Kotaro, and so on. His tutelage of Ueshiba Morihei, before World War II, was a historical event. Ueshiba embraced the techniques of Daito-ryu and melded it with the other martial arts that he had learned, and blended it with the philosophy of a new religious sect called Omoto-kyo. Ueshiba sought to turn martial arts into a spiritual endeavor, as well as a health and self-defense activity. By the force of his personality and his dedication to turn aikido into a spiritual endeavor, Ueshiba pointed the way for the future development of aikido, as well as other Japanese martial arts at the end of the 20th Century. At present, there are many different groups and organizations that practice different forms of aikido, including the main line Ueshiba organization, called hombu aikido; Koichi Tohei's Ki Society (Ki No Kenkyukai), Yoshinkan (founded by Shioda Gozo), and various branches, subgroups, spin-offs and separate groups. Representatives of these groups may be found throughout the world. Daito-ryu also has various organizations, and of late have been active in spreading their styles outside of Japan in various ways, including opening branch dojo and holding special seminars. Note: (J) denotes the book is written in Japanese. Furyu the Budo Journal and all material on this site are copyright © 2002 by Tengu Press and Wayne Muromoto. All US and international copyright laws hold. Anyone interested in using any material of the site must contact Wayne Muromoto at wmuromoto@hotmail.com or at Tengu Press Hawaii, PO Box 61637, Honolulu, Hawaii 96839 USA. |
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Abundant Peace: The Biography of Morihei Ueshiba Founder of Aikido
by John Stevens. Shambhala Publications, Inc. Boston, Massachusetts. 130
pages, softcover, c. 1987 by John Stevens. $12.95 US. ISBN 0-87773-350-3.
In this book, author John Stevens attempts to explain the enigma that was Ueshiba Morihei, the founder of aikido. Stevens divides the book into three main sections; focusing on "The Man"; the historical background of Ueshiba, "The Martial Artist"; Ueshiba's martial arts methodology, and "The Message"; his philosophy, which arguably had as great an effect as his techniques in popularizing this martial Way. Stevens always writes well, and this book will help to shed a lot of light on Ueshiba Morihei and what he might have been trying to create.
Aikido
byUeshiba Kisshomaru. Hozansha Publishing Co., Ltd., Japan Publications
Trading Co. distributors. Tokyo, Japan. 180 pages, hardbound. c. 1974. $12.95
US. ISBN 0-87040-268-4.
No doubt, there's been more editions and a paperback version of this book after my copy was printed. This book was written by the son of the founder of aikido, and offers a concise and thorough grounding in this martial Way. This hardback version is full of technical photographs of step-by-step techniques, photos of the founder, and diagrams of the footwork and movements of the techniques. The major portion of the book deals with aikido techniques, from warm ups to throwing and pinning. The last sections delve into aikido history, concepts and sayings of the founder, Ueshiba Morihei. A wonderful book, probably one of the first ones the serious aikido student should obtain.
A couple of Ueshiba Morihei's sayings include:
"True budo is a work of love. It is a work of giving life to all beings, and not killing or struggling with each other. Love is the guardian deity of everything. Nothing can exist without it. Aikido is the realization of love."
"I want considerate people to listen to the voice of Aikido. It is not for correcting others; it is for correcting your own mind. This is Aikido. This is the mission of Aikido and should be your mission."
Aikido
The Way of Harmony
by John Stevens under the direction of Shirata Rinjiro. Shambhala Publications,
Inc. Boston, Massachusetts. c. 1984. 198 pages, paperback. ISBN 0-87773-229-9.
This is a wonderful collaboration between the prolific writer on aikido, John Stevens, and his aikido teacher, Shirata Rinjiro. Shirata sensei demonstrates different aikido techniques according to his own particular "flavoring," and there are chapters on the history of aikido, the meaning of aikido, and Shirata sensei's training methods. The techniques, all well-illustrated, starts from the basics; how to stand, sit, move, etc., and then goes into the major movements, such as Shiho-nage, Irimi-nage, and so forth. A very nice book, well written and clearly photographed. Very powerful techniques.
Budo Teachings
of the Founder of Aikido
by Ueshiba Morihei. Kodansha Intl., New York and Tokyo, Japan.c. 1991. 132 pages,
hardcover. ISBN 4-7700-01532-1.
This book is probably available in softcover. Written by the founder of aikido, this is a must-have book for any serious aikido student. It includes a forward by the founder's son, Kisshomaru, and then it launches into an exposition of aikido directly from the mouth of Ueshiba himself. It includes his thoughts, poetry, and photographs of him performing techniques in his relatively younger days. It's quite a treasure chest of words and pictures of the founder. Ueshiba demonstrates a vigorous, powerful style of aikido.
The Hidden
Roots of Aikido, Aiki Jujutsu Daitoryu
by Shiro Omiya. Originally published as Shinden Aiki Koketsu Ohi. Kodansha America,
Inc., 114 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10011. © 1998 by Shiro Omiya. ISBN#
4-7700-2327-8. 216 pages, hardcover. $30 US.
As the English language title of this edition indicates, the author and/or publisher was hoping to entice aikido practitioners to pick up this book. As an interesting comparative technical manual, it may be worthwhile for any upper-level aikido person to have, or for anyone involved in unarmed grappling methods, simply to have a glimpse into the Daito-ryu style. The book begins with a historical overview of Daito-ryu, from the point of view of Omiya, who studied the art under Tsuruyama Kozui.
Through his explanations and examples of techniques, Omiya exposes the reader to a dynamic and powerful art. The greater part of the book is made up of illustrated techniques. The step-by-step photographs are clear, precise and well-exposed. It is easy to follow the movements, and I found myself in awe of the power of Daito-ryu. You could really do a number on a bad guy with its techniques, if done at 100 percent strength. (Kids: don¹t try this at home. Some of the techniques are limb-wrenchingly painful.) As in any masterfully done technical book, this treatise will have its dangers and benefits. For any aikido or Daito-ryu student, this will enlighten and illuminate your own techniques. Perhaps an aikido teacher will understand the roots of his/her methods, and be able to become more individualistic in his/her expression of that most malleable of arts. But it is also possible that unscrupulous charlatans will be able to devise their own instant Daito-ryu school, just as there were so many questionable ³sword masters² after books on swordsmanship appeared by Draeger, Warner, and Otake. No matter. This is a very good technical manual.
