Greets and a question...

Hey everyone, just created an account and haven't really gone through all the forums as well as i should have
So apologies if my questions are already answered elsewhere.

Anyway, my name is Jukka (a.k.a. Shrike on-line), i'm a beginner when it comes to Aikido (6th kuy) but an enthusiastic one. What i'd want to know is which and more importantly where can i get Aikido related DVDs? VHS is also acceptable but only if DVD is totally out of the question, PAL/NTSC or Region doesn't matter.

What i'm after is not a training video, but one with 'cool action' by real Aikidoka's. Not your average Steven Seagal movies and such, please
Something i can show off when people ask me about Aikido and i can watch and dream of doing myself some day
Is there live footage of the Great Ueshiba Sensei to be had anywhere?

Also, which books are recommended reading when it comes to the subject, i already got myself (and my wife-to-be Kata(riina), who is also a 6th kyu Aikidoka) the "Best Aikido - The Fundamentals" which looks like a good source for learning.

Cheers,

The general consensus seems to be that outside of Seagal you won't see much Aikido in popular movies - probably to do with the nature of our MA.

There is lots of footage of O'Sensei - the quality tends to be less than ideal but it's still amazing to watch him.

Welcome to Aikiweb!

Hi Jukka.

I have a couple of Aikido videos of which I am fond of, all in VHS format but nothing on DVD. The Aikido Friendship Video from the 80's (not sure of the date) featuring many high ranking shihan including Sato Sensei and Saotome Sensei performing various techniques in randori,is a real nice montage showcasing differing styles and biographical info of some of the various lineages of Aikido.

For a "can't miss, every serious aikidoka should own" book, I recommend 'Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere'. I consider it the Aikido bible. There are many other great publications and videos out there. These are just my favorites from those that I have been exposed to.

Peace...

Thank you.

Maybe i should have been more accurate in that i'm not looking for movies, just good dojo stuff.

Maybe a DVD with some techniques and so on plus some 30 minutes of 'freeform' action. Like the stuff they do on these Martial Arts shows, different styles get to show their stuff.

I saw a really cool show like that this summer, Christian Tissier put on such a performance... i was totally blown away. Only Wushu show came close there

I think you'll find that Saotome's new DVD called Oyo Henka (and available from AiKiDo Today) may be what you are looking for. It is Saotome's exploration of how to deal with techniques that don't work and ukes that change their minds. In my viewing it seems to beautifully combine good clean technique with a sense of the dynamic and powerful sides of AiKiDo without becoming vicious.

As far as books are concerned, there was a thread a while back regarding people's ideas of the 'required reading' or something like that. Anybody remember where that is?

Hi Jukka, welcome to Aikiweb.

You might want to try Aikido Journal for tapes and such (not sure about DVD) From what I hear about them the Aiki Expo series sounds like what you might be looking for.

Have fun,

Bronson

Total Aikido by the late Gozo Shioda is a great book I think. Very clear information on the core techniques and principles of Aikido. This and Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere seem to be the most popular choices for basic/intermediate Aikido books.

Thanks,

Ed

I agree with Opher. I bought the Oyo Henka DVD when I was ill about two months ago, and with my defenses down, it changed my perspective on what I believed is the essence of the art.

For 6th kyu, don't worry about getting a great deal from the videos and books, and of course, never let that replace real mat time. But I did like the Oyo Henka video (Aikido Today magazine sold it to me) quite a bit.

Good luck in your training, and come here for help when you have just had enough of this damn MA.

*Phil

Jukka Kolehmainen (Shrike) wrote: Is there live footage of the Great Ueshiba Sensei to be had anywhere?

Aikido Journal has some of O'Sensei's tapes. I personally like all the Ueshiba books.

Until again,

Lynn

Thanks to everyone who replied.

Prolly gonna order that Oyo Henka DVD for myself at some point, plus i found out that my Dojo has a little library where i can get tapes from... PLUS an old friend used to train aikido and has a truckload of videos and books.

So i'm all sorted for now

Now all i need to do is train... and train some more.