Aikido book from the 50's or early 60's?

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[jamie yugawa]

I just inherited several aikido books from my grandfather who practiced aikido from 1957 to 1992 in hakalau hawaii ,he passed away in 2005." Ki in daily life" signed by Koichi Tohei sensei ,"How to develop Ki " signed by Koichi tohei and Koretoshi Maruyama sensei and a third book . This 3rd book i have never seen before ,The tiltle just says "Aikido" in japanese,it has a picture of 2 aikidoka practicing shizumi otoshi or aikido knee drop on the cover ,its is all in japanese ,the pictures have koichi tohei doing taiso and techniques ,the date on the back of the book says 1959and the most interesting part is that there is a page that is actually signed by O sensei next to his picture. I verified the signature with my sensei but have no idea about this book . I tried looking on the internet and have no leads .
Does anyone have any information on this book or ideas where i can find more info . Thank you .

[raul rodrigo]

I think it's Aikido: The Arts of Self Defense, written by Tohei and supervised by Morihei. The PDF file of it that I have is in English and is dated 1960, Rikugei Publishing House.

[ninjaqutie]

Hhhmm.... it seems like you have a nice collection going! I would definately hold onto them. I will try to find out something for you. I am usually good at finding things online... but we will see. The only thing I could think of is to go to an older book store or something and ask them. I would think you would have better success with a used bookstore or an independent shop. For some reason, they just seem more knowledgable... but that is just my opinion. Do you know anyone your grandfather trained with? Since there are a few people from Japan on the forum, perhaps they will be of better help then I am. Sorry! I will post if I find something! Do you think you could post a pic of the cover? That may help me easier.

[philippe willaume]

I think it's Aikido: The Arts of Self Defense, written by Tohei and supervised by Morihei. The PDF file of it that I have is in English and is dated 1960, Rikugei Publishing House.

Hello
could you tell us where we could get this PDF?
cheers phil

[jamie yugawa]

thank you very much . I will scan the books as soon as i can .

[Flintstone]

thank you very much . I will scan the books as soon as i can .
Oh, pleaseeeee... do ;)!

[gregstec]

I think it's Aikido: The Arts of Self Defense, written by Tohei and supervised by Morihei. The PDF file of it that I have is in English and is dated 1960, Rikugei Publishing House.

Yes, that sounds like the book - here is a link to a description over at Aikido Journal: http://www.aikidojournal.com/bibliography_details?id=168

Although, originally published in 1959/60, I picked up a reprinted publication a few years ago from a British publisher.

I am a bit of an Aikido book collector and I favor Tohie's books - my prized book is a 1968 first printing of Tohie's 'This is Aikido'. I got it a few years ago from a lady in Hawaii who's father owned a book store and she was liquidating items after his death - it came to me brand new in the actual shipping box from the publisher, I was the first to actually open the book after all these years.

You should cherish your signed books - I had a signed book by Koretoshi Maruyama that I got form him back in the mid 70s' - unfortunately, I lost it over the years through my many moves, etc.

Greg

[jamie yugawa]

Yeah my granfather had the first edition of "this is aikido" with the blue cover , unfortunatly my grandma gave the book to my cousins girlfriend who was practicing at the time (not now unfortunatly!). I should ask for that back !!! lol

[gregstec]

Yeah my granfather had the first edition of "this is aikido" with the blue cover , unfortunatly my grandma gave the book to my cousins girlfriend who was practicing at the time (not now unfortunatly!). I should ask for that back !!! lol

I would try to get it back if you could - in some circles ti is considered one of the better Aikido technical manuals every published - and even well used copies in fair condition can draw a very good price in a book auction such as on Ebay,,, I also have a 1975 and 1976 edition of the book.

Greg

[Suru]

I just inherited several aikido books from my grandfather who practiced aikido from 1957 to 1992 in hakalau hawaii ,he passed away in 2005." Ki in daily life" signed by Koichi Tohei sensei ,"How to develop Ki " signed by Koichi tohei and Koretoshi Maruyama sensei and a third book . This 3rd book i have never seen before ,The tiltle just says "Aikido" in japanese,it has a picture of 2 aikidoka practicing shizumi otoshi or aikido knee drop on the cover ,its is all in japanese ,the pictures have koichi tohei doing taiso and techniques ,the date on the back of the book says 1959and the most interesting part is that there is a page that is actually signed by O sensei next to his picture. I verified the signature with my sensei but have no idea about this book . I tried looking on the internet and have no leads .
Does anyone have any information on this book or ideas where i can find more info . Thank you .

Since O'Sensei signed it, I would hang on to it and never sell it. I don't believe his autograph is commonplace at all, therefore you may have something to treasure.

[kironin]

Yeah my granfather had the first edition of "this is aikido" with the blue cover , unfortunatly my grandma gave the book to my cousins girlfriend who was practicing at the time (not now unfortunatly!). I should ask for that back !!! lol

You should because if it really is the first printing edition, depending on condition, it's market value is over $300 at least without signature.

I have a couple of copies but they are later editions.

[kironin]

"Ki in daily life" signed by Koichi Tohei sensei

That's a 70's edition of Tohei Sensei's original 60's book "Aikido in daily life". The value there is purely sentimental and there might be some value in the signature, not sure. Frankly I prefer the original but then I'm a stealth-heretic within KNK.

,"How to develop Ki " signed by Koichi tohei and Koretoshi Maruyama sensei.


If that is what I think it is, that is very rare and the signatures make it even more valuable.


This 3rd book i have never seen before ,The tiltle just says "Aikido" in japanese,it has a picture of 2 aikidoka practicing shizumi otoshi or aikido knee drop on the cover ,its is all in japanese ,the pictures have koichi tohei doing taiso and techniques ,the date on the back of the book says 1959 and the most interesting part is that there is a page that is actually signed by O sensei next to his picture. I verified the signature with my sensei but have no idea about this book . I tried looking on the internet and have no leads. Does anyone have any information on this book or ideas where i can find more info.

Unless he went to Japan, your grandfather must have had it signed on O Sensei's one visit outside of Japan in 1961 to Hawaii. I have seen various interesting photos from that visit when I was at the Maui Ki Society dojo. So that's definitely of historical value.

If nage (probably Tohei Sensei) is facing the camera looking down with the uke having been thrown over on his back with the top of his head facing the camera, then it's interesting that it's in Japanese as that is one of the first Aikido books to appear in English, maybe the first. The Japanese edition was according to the preface in the English edition to have first been published in August, 1957. The preface is not quite clear but seems at least the English version was written when Tohei Sensei was in Hawaii from 1957 to 1958. The quality of prose in his early classics like this one are on the whole much better. I have a feeling there were some Hawaiian ghost writers at work here.

I have the 1966 London edition (AIKIDO / The Co-ordination of Mind and Body for Self-defense) which seems much more common than the original English version it was copied from by Rikugei (published 1961). I don't know how rare the Japanese version is in Japan or Hawaii, but I think it's safe to say it's non-existent elsewhere.

For someone studying aikido, your grandfather left you a nice inheritance.

[kironin]

Yes, that sounds like the book - here is a link to a description over at Aikido Journal: http://www.aikidojournal.com/bibliography_details?id=168


Yes, that has got to be it. The dust jacket and description match.

"The early hardback editions are characterized by an unusual heavy twill fabric covering."

That was interesting to read as it describes my copy. I guess they don't mean just the earliest hardback editions.

[jamie yugawa]

Yeah my grandfather was here in hilo when O sensei came to hawaii .My grandmother said Koichi tohei would come over to eat dinner and she would always prepare a meat dish because it was so expensive in japan .i know he met him here because O sensei did several demos here on the big island and i think there are pictures of my grandfather in those pictures. Back to the book its got a color picture on it and looks nothing like that book in english , i guess when they translated it they changed everything . cant find any pictures of this book anywhere !!

[Michael Hackett]

I have a copy of the 1974 printing of "This is Aikido" and it has a dark blue/grey cover. The dust jacket is bright blue with a picture of Tohei Sensei performing a technique on three Uke. I paid $ 170.00 for it on E-Bay. A friend has a first edition that her father bought and the cover to that is some sort of fabric with a texture of woven bamboo. Very, very nice and I covet it.

[Charles Hill]

Wow! I have a second edition 1971 of This Is Aikido. I had no idea it was so valuable, thanks for all the info.

btw, one of Tohei Sensei's uke is Seishiro Endo, who is the other one?

[gregstec]

Yeah my grandfather was here in hilo when O sensei came to hawaii .My grandmother said Koichi tohei would come over to eat dinner and she would always prepare a meat dish because it was so expensive in japan .i know he met him here because O sensei did several demos here on the big island and i think there are pictures of my grandfather in those pictures. Back to the book its got a color picture on it and looks nothing like that book in english , i guess when they translated it they changed everything . cant find any pictures of this book anywhere !!

Interesting, my first Aikido sensei was David H Kalama and I believe he was around during Tohei's visits as well as O Sensei's visit back then. Do you recognize the name or have any info on him from your grandfathers stuffs?

Thanks

Greg

[jamie yugawa]

Here are some pictures from the unknown aikido book .

[jamie yugawa]

more from the book

[jamie yugawa]

and more pictures.

[jamie yugawa]

sorry dont recognize kalama sensei i will ask around about him for you .I have been talking to the older senseis that knew my grandfather Takashi Nonaka sensei ,ramon goya sensei , and Hajime uyeki sensei who seem to verify that the book was signed by O- Sensei .I will try to take the book to other people to verify that it was signed and not printed ,it looks authentic to me .

[jamie yugawa]

Here is "Aikido in Daily Life "

[Chris Li]

more from the book

Hi Jamie,

The bottom group photo in the "aikido book scan 6aikiweb.pdf" file says "Hawaii Aikikai Instructors". I wonder if you could get me a bigger scan of just that photo - it would be great to post at www.aikidohawaii.org

Best,

Chris

[gregstec]

sorry dont recognize kalama sensei i will ask around about him for you .I have been talking to the older senseis that knew my grandfather Takashi Nonaka sensei ,ramon goya sensei , and Hajime uyeki sensei who seem to verify that the book was signed by O- Sensei .I will try to take the book to other people to verify that it was signed and not printed ,it looks authentic to me .

Thanks - I appreciate any info you can dig up. Although our group was training in Guam during the mid 70s, we were a part of the Hawaii Aikikwai and we believe Kalama Sensei was in Hawaii during the 60s.

Greg

[Ron Tisdale]

Jamie, you have quite a heritage.

Best,
Ron

[aikidoc]

I have the 5th edition, 1974 of This is Aikido with the original jacket albeit a little worn-since I bought the book new that many years ago. Pages are yellowing a bit - I guess they are not acid free.

[jamie yugawa]

found the book it is "Aikido the art of self defence " . I contacted Bernie lau and verified that ,i guess i have the japanese version .Interesting the photos are of yukiso yamamoto sensei and of Local hawaiian aikidoka ,i guess Tohei wrote it in hawaii on his 2nd trip to hawaii . Man bernies got some cool stuff !! cool pictures . i will post some soon .

[crbateman]

Most of the early 60's English-language Aikido texts have both prior- and post-publication Japanese-language editions. Some English-language titles are actually compilations of two different Japanese-language books.

Books bearing authentic inscriptions from O'Sensei are extremely rare, and should be preserved. Valuation is difficult, as there is no authoritative market. I would not sell any of mine for any price.

Books bearing inscriptions from Koichi Tohei Sensei are much more common, as Tohei Sensei was a prolific signer for decades, although he no longer does it.

"This is Aikido" has two main editions, and many re-printings. It has been published in both hardbound and softcover. The "first edition" is most easily recognized by the wording on the dust cover. The first edition dust cover has only "Koichi Tohei - 10th Dan", while the revised edition has the added words "with mind and body coordinated" and additional Ki Society nomenclature. This book is often marketed with highly inflated pricing for such a widely marketed publication. Often, sellers will price their own copies by looking at what others are asking (but not getting). You can usually get a copy in the $50 range if you are vigilant or make offers, although signed or first printings will command a higher price. Patience is a virtue.

"How to Develop Ki" is a much rarer publication, being part of a limited edition 5-volume booklet series published in Hawaii under the authority of Tohei Sensei. The paper and stapled bindings were crude, and deteriorate rapidly. Although all the information contained in this series is widely available in Tohei's more mainstream book offerings, the collector value for these booklets is considerable, and they are rarely offered, particularly as a set. Your copy, signed by Tohei and Maruyama could easily bring a couple hundred bucks.

The Bibliography section at aikidojournal.com is a derivative of the database from my personal collection. It has cover scans of these and most-other English-language Aikido books, along with publication data and other info. You can search by author for everything done by, for instance, Tohei Sensei. It's as complete as you will find anywhere, and most tell me it is very useful. Stan Pranin has done an excellent job with it.

[jamie yugawa]

Man i just interiewed a 2 former aikidokas who started in the 1950's for my project and they gave me all of their aikido books !!!!!
One Gentleman gave me is "This is Aikido" first edition signed by Koichi Tohei (in cardboard slipcover in near mint condtion and even dated too!) and the original "spirit of aikido " in japanese. The other Gentleman gave me all of his Ki Society pamplets (sans Ki Breathing ). I was not expecting any thing other than information but both gentleman were exstatic about someone chronicling this information . Man I got quite a collection now !!!!:D

[gregstec]

"This is Aikido" has two main editions, and many re-printings. It has been published in both hardbound and softcover. The "first edition" is most easily recognized by the wording on the dust cover. The first edition dust cover has only "Koichi Tohei - 10th Dan", while the revised edition has the added words "with mind and body coordinated" and additional Ki Society nomenclature...



Actually, the first edition of This is Aikido, printing dated August 1968, has Tohei listed as 9th dan on the dust cover. I believe later printings had him listed as 10th dan.

Greg

[crbateman]

Actually, the first edition of This is Aikido, printing dated August 1968, has Tohei listed as 9th dan on the dust cover. I believe later printings had him listed as 10th dan.You are right. The very first printing, first edition (1968) lists him as 9th dan. In 1969, after Tohei had been promoted to 10th dan, the book was reprinted with the revised rank indicated, but this printing was not at that time described in the publisher's data as a "second printing". That designation officially fell on the 1971 printing. The 1969 printing was made to appear to be still in the first printing, and so it is marketed that way to this day. Subsequent printings (1972, 1973, 1974) prior to the 1975 "revised edition" were still designated first edition, but obviously not first printing. These editions also contained the Ki Society references and contact info, replacing the Aikikai Hombu. Eventually, the "prior printings" data (beginning in the 1975 edition) was revised to acknowledge the mysterious 1969 printing as the second printing, but oddly enough, there was then no 1971 printing mentioned, even though it did happen. :freaky: Confusing enough?

[crbateman]

By the way, Jamie... That is quite a haul you made. Enjoy them, but be warned: You are on a very slippery slope. Once the book bug bites you, you stay bitten... ;)

[gregstec]

You are right. The very first printing, first edition (1968) lists him as 9th dan. In 1969, after Tohei had been promoted to 10th dan, the book was reprinted with the revised rank indicated, but this printing was not at that time described in the publisher's data as a "second printing". That designation officially fell on the 1971 printing. The 1969 printing was made to appear to be still in the first printing, and so it is marketed that way to this day. Subsequent printings (1972, 1973, 1974) prior to the 1975 "revised edition" were still designated first edition, but obviously not first printing. These editions also contained the Ki Society references and contact info, replacing the Aikikai Hombu. Eventually, the "prior printings" data (beginning in the 1975 edition) was revised to acknowledge the mysterious 1969 printing as the second printing, but oddly enough, there was then no 1971 printing mentioned, even though it did happen. :freaky: Confusing enough?

Yes, confusing indeed :) I have a 1968 first printing, a 1975 revised edition first printing, and a 1976 revised edition second printing...

[jamie yugawa]

Yeah its the 1968 "9th dan " edition .Man they need to reprint this book ,for a while my sensei said it was THE book for a while .
Of note also two of the Ukes are Takashi Nonaka 8th dan Ki society, Hilo Ki society and the late Suzuki Sensei 9th dan ,Maui Ki club . Mr Nonaka was gracious enough to sign it also too. Man do i have the book bug !!!!

[crbateman]

Man do i have the book bug !!!!You're in a good place for it. With Tohei's roots there (and Maruyama's), Hawaii is fertile ground, especially if you like signed editions or those Ki Society booklets. Be wary of the "signed edition" hype, though, as Tohei was a signer of prolific proportions, and signed literally thousands of books, including some by other authors, including Maruyama's and even Kisshomaru Doshu's early work (prior to the "big bang").

[jamie yugawa]

yeah and actually i found out that some people especially the senseis out here have things autographed by O Sensei also . I guess because this was hawaii and not japan , O Sensei was much more approachable shaking hands and signing things at the demonstrations they held here . I know of at least 2 other people here with autographs besides mine .

[jamie yugawa]

I was able to verify the signature on the book with John Stevens when he did his seminar here in Hilo. He was quite surprised with it also.

[David Yap]

Hi,

I have "What is Aikido?" by Koichi Tohei, 9th Dan (his rank then).

First printing: September 1962
Publishers: Rikugei Publishing House, Tokyo, Japan
Printed in Japan by Tokyo News Services Ltd.

Is this a collector's item?

David Y

[jamie yugawa]

Yeah thats a great book!! I am trying to find a copy of that myself.

[crbateman]

Yeah thats a great book!! I am trying to find a copy of that myself.
Then here (http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?ac=sl&st=sl&qi=hBVVw7FhaaPeT4EnPDpoDDrHYE0_6076504360_1:36:620&bq=author%3Dk.%2520tohei%26title%3Dwhat%2520is%2520aikido) is where you can find it...

[crbateman]

I have "What is Aikido?" by Koichi Tohei, 9th Dan (his rank then).

First printing: September 1962
Publishers: Rikugei Publishing House, Tokyo, Japan
Printed in Japan by Tokyo News Services Ltd.

Is this a collector's item?Not a major one, although a first printing more so than other issues. The book was mass-marketed, compared to some of that era. As you can see from the link in my previous post, many copies are currently available for fairly cheap prices.

[jamie yugawa]

Cool !! Is there any recommended early aikido book that anyone can recommend?

[gregstec]

Hi,

I have "What is Aikido?" by Koichi Tohei, 9th Dan (his rank then).

First printing: September 1962
Publishers: Rikugei Publishing House, Tokyo, Japan
Printed in Japan by Tokyo News Services Ltd.

Is this a collector's item?

David Y

I have a first edition, August 1968, 'This is Aikido' that lists Tohei as 9th Dan as well - it is brand new and still in its original shipping box from the publisher - I bought it a couple of years ago from a lady who was liquidating stock from her deceased father's bookshop in Hawaii - apparently, when the father died, the mother would not let anything go until many years after the father's death - anyway, I was the first owner of the book after all these years. I keep it sealed in plastic and do not open it since I have a couple other editions for reference.

Greg