Books


Aikido books of interest

here is an abundance in Aikido literature today, titles sometimes so much alike that one has a hard time telling them apart - also sometimes when reading them...
     Below I have gathered a number of books through a very subjective filter - my own preferences. These are the ones I can recommend, for reasons that I try to state in the accompanying comments. The links lead to Amazon and other places where these books can be found and purchased.
     Certainly, we all agree that Aikido cannot be learned through books, but they do help in contemplating during the process of learning by doing.

BUDO

ABUNDANT PEACE
John Stevens has written a very readable biography of Osensei's life and deeds, including many pictures and picturesque anecdotes - some of which have been questioned, especially by those who are convinced they know better.

AIKIDO
Kisshomaru Ueshiba, doshu, made this book in 1963, but the translation was done some ten years later. This is a straightforward explanation of aikido techniques, with many photos where young Tamura and Chiba appear as uke. The book ends with a comment by Osensei, which is as short as it is impressive.

AIKIDO NEWS ENCYCLOPEDIA
Stanley Pranin, the initiator and proprietor of Aikido Journal (former Aiki News), has made a tremendous work on this book, which contains so much detailed information about so many of the Japanese aikido shihan. Just like with any encyclopedia, it's a great pastime to just read a little here and there, but also it is a valuable reference material.

AIKIDO IN DAILY LIFE
Koichi Tohei wrote this charming book about aikido, ki and everyday living in 1966, when he was still very much part of the Aikikai Hombu, and the following years it reprinted many times. It was worth it - his writing here is modest, pensive and delightful.

KOTOTAMA
Masahilo Nakazono was a legend, both in Europe, where he stayed until the early 70's, and in the USA, where he remained until he passed away a couple of years ago. He stopped aikido - almost completely - to concentrate on kototama instead, a subject he was exceptionally familiar with. This book, unfortunately hard to find, has the subtitle "Messiah's Return, the Hidden Kototama Principle" and was published in 1972. It is a very good introduction to kototama, certainly not easily penetrable but more so than many others. He has written a number of shorter books and brochures on the same subject.

AIKIDO MASTERS
Stanley Pranin has also done a great service to the future aikido historians, by interviewing most of the important pre-war Osensei students, such as Shioda and the kendo-legend Nakakura. They often give generously open minded answers, always with a lot of fascinating information about Osensei as well as those days long gone. I do wish that Stan will soon make a similar book with the post-war shihan.

ESSENCE OF AIKIDO
John Stevens is not altogether convincing, when explaining kototama and other abstract planes behind Osensei's aikido - but still, this is interesting reading for in-depth study of aikido, also a lot of Osensei's calligraphy (shodo) is reproduced, as well as a number of short poems (doka)of his.

SPIRIT OF AIKIDO
Kisshomaru Ueshiba, doshu, does in this book present some of the principles and philosophy in aikido, in a clear and concise way. On the other hand, I do not feel that the book reaches very deeply into the aikido mysteries, nor am I always convinced by his explanations. Still, it is e pleasant reading.

AIKIDO AND THE DYNAMIC SPHERE
Westbrook and Ratti have shared in this aikido classic, so that the former did the writing - of which I am not too impressed - and the latter made the wonderful drawings. I am certain that it is these charming pictures, full of aiki vigour, that has made this book a constant best seller. They recently made a new book about the samurai, where the artist shows equal ability.

AIKIDO
The Peaceful Martial Art. Here is my aikido book in English, presenting the principles and basic concepts of aikido. It is not about the aikido techniques, but the thoughts and ideas behind them.
More about the book here.


AIKIBATTO
Now, I have written a book about aikibatto, the system of sword and staff exercises for aikido students. Apart from what you find on my website, there are some additional chap­ters: about practical and spiritual aspects of the sword arts, equip­ment for training, teaching and learning aikibatto.
More about the book here.


My aikido book in German:

AIKIDO - DIE FRIEDLICHE KAMPFKUNST
Stefans Buch öffnet Türen. Hier findest du Inspiration und Motivation, Aikido als Weg, als ununterbrochenen Faden, der sich durch dein Leben zieht, dich transformiert und deinen unverfälschten kreativen Zustand freilegt, zu begreifen. Auf erfrischende Weise behandelt er alle wichtigen Prinzipien des Aikido mit ihrer praktischen und philosophischen Bedeutung vor dem Hintergrund seiner umfangreichen persönlichen Erfahrung. Du kannst die deutsch/ (Größe: 4 MB) uneingeschränkt weitergeben.

AIKIDO

AIKIDO OCH FRED

AIKIDO - DEN FREDLIGA KAMPKONSTEN

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