Best Aikido 1&2

[Paul B]

I was just wondering if anyone else had picked these books up and what they thought of them.

I thought they were pretty good,actually. As far as reference material,BA2 is handy.It's also nice to see the Aikikai attempting to reach out in this area...of course,others may see this as a bad thing. ;) As far as I know,this is the first "technical" manual that they have put out(in english?),and I think they did a great job as a first attempt.

I have to say that it was somewhat comforting to hear Moriteru Ueshiba talk about his experiences when learning Aikido. So it's not just me that has "problems" with technique! :laugh:

[SeiserL]

IMHO, agreed. Both excellent books. But then, I tend to really appreciate all the Ueshiba books because they are the source.

[J4d3]

have any of you read aikido and the dynamic sphere?i'm looking for a good aikido book.

[DragonMind]

have any of you read aikido and the dynamic sphere?i'm looking for a good aikido book.
Yes and I enjoyed it. The one problem I've found is that different books use different naming schemes for the same technique.

[Peter Rehse]

have any of you read aikido and the dynamic sphere?i'm looking for a good aikido book.
It's one book I recommend against.

Basically two newly minted Shodans (1st degree black belts) went to Japan and six months later wrote a book. The number of people they claim to have talked to were in fact limited to those that spoke English and were willing to talk to them - not that many. The kindest I've heard describes their philosophy section as Toheiesque and frankly speaking the book just doesn't relate to what I've found over here. Picis are not bad but you can learn far more in an actual dojo.

Ask your teacher for a recomendation and then do what he says.

[DragonMind]

It's one book I recommend against.

Basically two newly minted Shodans (1st degree black belts) went to Japan and six months later wrote a book. The number of people they claim to have talked to were in fact limited to those that spoke English and were willing to talk to them - not that many. The kindest I've heard describes their philosophy section as Toheiesque and frankly speaking the book just doesn't relate to what I've found over here. Picis are not bad but you can learn far more in an actual dojo.

Ask your teacher for a recomendation and then do what he says.
Interesting. I've heard people who love it and people who hate it. Personally, I skipped over the philosophy section so I can't comment. I found the organization to be helpful and the pictures to be better than a lot of books. At the time it came out, there weren't a lot of Aikido books out there to choose from and about the only videos were Ken Ota's stuff from Panther. Folks looking for resources had pretty slim pickings.

[Peter Rehse]

At the time it came out, there weren't a lot of Aikido books out there to choose from .... Folks looking for resources had pretty slim pickings.
I'll give them that. Also it is a nice coffee table book to show elderly aunts what you do for fun. Uncle Frank you take out back.

Still it irks me when people quote it as the best Aikido book out there when there is so much better available by actual masters of the art. The book is filled with trite statements that are just plain wrong.

(I've had people show up at my dojo clutching a book and trying to tell me what I do isn't Aikido)

[DragonMind]

Still it irks me when people quote it as the best Aikido book out there when there is so much better available by actual masters of the art. The book is filled with trite statements that are just plain wrong.

(I've had people show up at my dojo clutching a book and trying to tell me what I do isn't Aikido)
I can certainly understand that. Do you have any favorites?

[Peter Rehse]

I can certainly understand that. Do you have any favorites?
Not many - not a great fan of learning from books and video.

Generally I recommend asking your teacher and waiting a few years before exploring.

For Shodokan folks Aikido: Tradition and the Competitive Edge (Shishida and Nariyama).

I like the series by Shioda (Yoshinkan) and to a lesser extent those by Saito (Iwamma).

Best Aikido 1&2 are growing on me. Maybe a good idea for Aikikai.

I know Japanese Aikikai Shihan that use the Japanese version of the Shodokan book for their classrooms.

[DragonMind]

Not many - not a great fan of learning from books and video.

Generally I recommend asking your teacher and waiting a few years before exploring.

For Shodokan folks Aikido: Tradition and the Competitive Edge (Shishida and Nariyama).

I like the series by Shioda (Yoshinkan) and to a lesser extent those by Saito (Iwamma).

Best Aikido 1&2 are growing on me. Maybe a good idea for Aikikai.

I know Japanese Aikikai Shihan that use the Japanese version of the Shodokan book for their classrooms.
For learning, no, but a good reference book/video can enhance the learning process. I keep, and require my students to keep, a notebook where they record all their techniques in their own words. Makes practice go better. I'm going to add photos to my notebook now since digital cameras have gotten so cheap.

[Peter Rehse]

For learning, no, but a good reference book/video can enhance the learning process. I keep, and require my students to keep, a notebook where they record all their techniques in their own words. Makes practice go better. I'm going to add photos to my notebook now since digital cameras have gotten so cheap.
This is a good idea but also the reason I am so anal about choosing books and videos (at least initially) that your teacher recommends. There is just so much contradictory information out there.

Most of these cameras can also take short videos. All sorts of possibilites for your notebook.

[Webmaster]

I am going to be writing a review on Best Aikido 1 & 2, however, I will give you a sneak peek on what it will say.

Basically, I think from an Aikikai perspective, they are amongst the best books that are available. One of the big reasons is that (1) the photography is excellent. Easy to follow, and the photographer made great effort to make sure that the everything was captured from the best angle, and that lighting and contrast did not blur out important points. (2) Nothing weird or esoteric in how the techniques are presented. Basically, everything presented looks mechanically and physically sound. Nothing looks as if uke is being blown over by some mysterious force. (3) Presentation of techniques are layed out in a manner that builds well on each other. Overall, great reference books for those that have already trained and with important points emphasized, a good reference for the beginner.

BTW, Dynamic Sphere is probably my least favorite book on Aikido or any martial art. If you want a real classic for your library, dig up a copy of "This is Aikido" by Tohei. I have nice first edition on my bookshelf, and will not loan it to anyone (even my wife). It was done well before Tohei saw God and came up with the Ki Society stuff. Very hardcore and does for Aikido what Nakayama's "Dynamic Karate" did for Shotokan. Extremely detailed with regard to the technical points and physics behind Aikido.

Last, all of the Yoshinkan books by Shioda are incredible. Definate adds for your library.

Peter, where can I get a copy of the Shodokan Aikido book you mentioned? I would love to add a good Tomiki Aikido book to the library.

[Peter Rehse]

Peter, where can I get a copy of the Shodokan Aikido book you mentioned? I would love to add a good Tomiki Aikido book to the library.
Amazon has it. Click here (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0964708329/ref%3Dnosim/wilderpressou-20/102-2330629-9366530)

[Webmaster]

Cool, thanks! Maybe one of my students will take pity on their old broken down sensei and remember him for Christmas. :D If not, it is definately going on my buy list.

[J4d3]

i'm looking for a book that would tell me a great deal of what aikido is about and explain techniques.i don't expect to master aikido or any art via a book of course.so in general,what would you guys and girls recommend as a good aikido book as far as a philosophical and technical reference for the art.i try to take the approach of absorbing what is useful and rejecting what is useless and i have a good feeling about aikido.at the very least i'm sure i could benefit from the philosophical side of the art.also would anyone know the difference between aiki-jutsu and aikido? i at first want to say they would be very similar because they both start with aiki but jujutsu and judo aren't as similar as i would think aiki jutsu and aikido would be.thats just the very first impression i have when i think of it tho.

[DragonMind]

This is a good idea but also the reason I am so anal about choosing books and videos (at least initially) that your teacher recommends. There is just so much contradictory information out there.

Most of these cameras can also take short videos. All sorts of possibilites for your notebook.
Another book I've found useful is Aikido Exercises for Teaching and Training (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/155643314X/qid=1101908986/sr=1-8/ref=sr_1_8/104-4351790-6879947?v=glance&s=books).

[Rasputin]

Cool, thanks! Maybe one of my students will take pity on their old broken down sensei and remember him for Christmas. :D If not, it is definately going on my buy list.

You have all of, what, two of your students who post to this board? Just who did you have in mind? :p

[Webmaster]

Judy sometimes reads the board... ;) and I have to drop hints somehow!

[J4d3]

one of my christmas gifts is best aikido 1&2 i'm excited :D