Aikido Books
 

Hey guys,

I wonder, which Aikido books that you posses has really made an impact on you (regarding mind/body ideas and practicing),

I for once found 'Ki in daily Life' by koichi toehi really profound, and I would like to know what more that you have read can you recommend?

Re: Aikido Books
 

Shany, I wouldn't even know where to start... anything by Tohei, Saito, Shioda, Dang Thong Phong, Pranin, Saotome, Yamada, Stevens and the Ueshibas... and that's just a beginning... After that, look for Dobson, Amdur, Gleason, Homma, Crum, Heckler, Lowrey, and so on... and so on...

Re: Aikido Books
 

Clark, hehe there is no end to it you say? But I guess there are some books that you know, pop up in mind with a spark of vital information above all?

well, I just ordered 'The Art Of Peace' by morihei, I think it's a nice little book that may contain some fundamental information.

I'll from time to time will order Koichi tohei's stuff, I like his writing (rather old but applicable till today)

Re: Aikido Books
 

IMHO, anything by Ueshiba or Tohei to start with.
After that, every other book on my shelf.
How can you not be impacted by anything you read?

Re: Aikido Books
 

because most of the new stuff are recycled (???)

Re: Aikido Books
 

I have to resist the temptation to mention my own books... Ouch - blew it!

Many years ago, when I had just started practicing aikido, I read Tohei's Aikido in Daily Life (now renamed Ki in Daily Life), and was delighted by it.

Otherwise, the books that have impressed me the most from an aikido perspective are not aikido books: Musashi's Book of Five Rings is an excellent introduction to the budo mind, and Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching is the best guide to aikido principles you can get.

Re: Aikido Books
 

"The Art of War" by Sun-Tzu.
Get the translation by Brig. Gen Samuel Griffith, USMC. With a foreword by the eminent military historian and strategist, Captain Sir Basil Liddell-Hart.

Re: Aikido Books
 

Dueling with O-sensei, Grappling with the Myth of the Warrior Sage - Ellis Amdur (must-read for any aikidoka)

Center, the Power of Aikido - Ron Meyer and Mark Reeder (not the best book on the subject, but at least it points in the right direction)

Re: Aikido Books
 

Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere

Re: Aikido Books
 

"The Art of Peace" by Morihei Ueshiba
"Aikido and the Harmony of Nature" by Mitsugi Saotome
"The Way of Aikido: Life Lessons from an American Sensei" by George Leonard
"The Secrets of Aikido" by John Stevens
"The Spirit of Aikido" by Kisshomaru Ueshiba

There are more that enriched me, but these are my top five, in order.

Re: Aikido Books
 

thanks guys, great list. keep it up!

Re: Aikido Books
 

I have found William Scott Wilson's books to be excellent as well as Thomas Cleary's, especially "The Japanese Art of War."

Charles

Re: Aikido Books
 

Total Aikido and Dynamic Aikido by Gozo Shioda

Re: Aikido Books
 

Lots of good reads listed already, I'll throw in the following:
1. The Practice of Freedom by Wendy Palmer
2. Sword and Brush by Dave Lowery
3. Martial Meditations by Kim and Back

Favorites for motivation are Angry White Pajamas and In Search of the Warrior Spirit; Favorites for catalyst in connection and spiritual approach are Aikido and Harmony of Nature and Practice of Freedom; favorites for focus on Budo include Bushido (Nitobe) and Autumn Lightning.

There are a great number of wonderful books I have on my shelf I have not mentioned and have read multiple times, but these tend to stick out in my mind.

Happy reading.

Re: Aikido Books
 

The books that influenced me the most include:

1. Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere - Westbrook/Ratti

2. Total Aikido - Gozo Shioda

3. Dynamic Aikido - Gozo Shioda

These two books I found while I was visiting Singapore, and they are very nice as well (both are written in English):

4. The Hidden Roots of Aikido (Aiki Jujutsu Daitoryu) - Shiro Omiya

5. Aikido: The Heavenly Road - Kenji Shimizu

All of these are excellent books, but my favorite is in the #1 spot - It's quite in-depth, but a great reference!

-Bryan

Re: Aikido Books
 

I don't think anyone mentioned Saito Sensei's books. Unless you have a lot of cash, his original "Traditional Aikido" series may be out of reach. But over at aikido journal they have the entire second series, Takemusi Aikido. Incredible technical manuals.

I've only heard Imaizumi Sensei speak highly of two of his teachers (although he says little so I'm sure there are many others he respects), Saito and of course Tohei. I received a copy of "This is Aikido" as a wedding present and read it about twice a year.

I also recommend becoming a member of aikido journal or purchasing the the DVD with all of the old magazines in it. It's one of the most complete collections of aikido interviews and articles in existence.

Re: Aikido Books
 

Post #2... (although I pretty much mentioned everybody's books :D ) The Takemusu set is indeed a good get. Stan Pranin has already released expanded re-edits of Volumes 1,2,3, while the 4th and 5th Volumes have the new cover art, but have not yet been released in a re-edit (in progress). The new edits are very nice, with extra photos and material, so I would recommend you get 1 thru 3 now through AJ (to make sure you are getting the new, rather than the old edition) and wait until he announces the release of the re-edited 4 and 5 before you buy those. Also of note is that Saito Hitohiro Sensei is now working on a book, but I don't have a whole lot of info about when, where, or what yet...

Re: Aikido Books
 

I wanted to add another book I picked up last night and have been having a blast reading:

Aikido Basics by Phong Thong Dang and Lynn Seiser (hmm, where have I seen that name before, I wonder? :D)

Luckily I'm not a complete beginner, since I have previous Nihon JuJitsu under my belt, but all of these stances and breathing exercises....I needed some help :)

So I'd like to add this as one of my recommended books for beginners.

-Bryan

Re: Aikido Books
 

Their later two collaborations (Advanced Aikido and Aikido Weapons Techniques) are also worthy. Some of the most balanced Aikido writing out there.

Re: Aikido Books
 

Although I do not train in Yoshinkan Aikido, I do feel very strongly that Shioda Gozo's Aikido Shugyo. The anecdotes Shioda-sensei uses to communicate his insight and understanding of the technique/application of aikido will assist beginners, more advanced students and teachers. What I found to be most beneficial was how it helped stimulate my transition in various levels of aikido as I read and reread the book. I highly recommend it all serious aikidoka.

Re: Aikido Books
 

Just in case you would like to order the book, here is the webiste: http://www.shindokanbooks.com/shugyo.shtml

Happy reading...and happier practicing!

Re: Aikido Books
 

I was never fortunate enough to meet Shioda Kancho, but Aikido Shugyo does convey some of his personality and humor, which does not come through in his other books. It is a tough get sometimes, as the above website is pretty much the only source, and they often do not respond quickly (I'm told), but be persistent... The early green leatherette-bound edition with the brass corners is a prized find, one which I'm sorry to say I haven't... yet...

Re: Aikido Books
 

Try the latest book from O Sensei himself.

It is called "The Secret Teachings of Aikido" and is translated into very reasonable English.

Re: Aikido Books
 

Hi Clark. Yes, you are 100% correct: the are a bit slow and do, in fact, need some prodding. I have also been looking for that special addition. I wonder how much it will set us back?!?!

Re: Aikido Books
 

I try not to think about it... :o