special Aikido books

hi my aikido fellows!

Im looking for a special type of Aikido book.
Ive got enough books which show "how" to do a technique.
What Im looking for is "why" we do a technique.
for example: why do we use a cutting motion in Ikkyo?
And how does ukes body react to it?

So what im asking for, is actually just are more detailed
technique book, which explains every little part of a technique.

And while im asking, does anybody know some good Aikido-philosophy books?
I saw a book from Mitsugi Saotome:Aikido and the Harmony of Nature.
Has someone read it? it sounds quite interresting.

Or are there any other must-read Aikido books?

I would highly recommend "Aikido and the Harmony of Nature" as it is incredible for giving you an image of a bigger picture. Gleason sensei 's Spiritual Foundation of Aikido is interesting but a difficult read!

Technical books are difficult because you basically only have two options for learning anything useful about aikido:
1) learn kinesthetically
2) learn the principles of aikido to optimize your interpretation of the kinesthetic information you are processing

Where step 3 would be: assimilate (retrain your body based on the new information), and go back to step 1

I have an old blue - out of print - book by Tohei sensei that is really good. So far I really like everything I have read from Tamura sensei, Saotome sensei, and George Ledyard sensei. I also liked the footwork examples in one of Shioda sensei's books.

Good luck - Rob

Any good book on anatomy and body mechanics would tell you all you need. Consult your nearest physiotherapist or University department and library.

Unless you believe in ki and in that case, there are lots of books on mysticism that you may want to read. Especially the Omoto religion that Ueshiba followed.