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» Number of reviews : 314 - viewing 10 Per Page

Last Review Posted by ChrisMikk - posted: 5:57am

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Views: 565

Aikido Shugyo, the first of Shioda-sama's books translated by Payet and Johnston, is one of the best martial arts autobiographies available. This companion volume is equally well produced, with the translation capturing a clear, individual voice, which I assume is very much as it must have been to speak with the author. I thought the content was a little repetitive from the perspective of aikido anecdotes/advice, but the stories about the war and the founding of the Yoshinkan hombu dojo are quite interesting. If you have a thing for martial arts history, this is almost as much of a must-read as Shugyo. Edited: please not the price I paid was 2,500 yen, not 2,500 dollars. Rating: 9

Product Details: "Aikido Jinsei: My Life in Aikido" by ChrisMikk - posted: - Rating: 9.00

Last Review Posted by groove - posted: 8:32pm

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Views: 40596

thank you

Product Details: "The Aikido Student Handbook" by akiy - posted: - Rating: 9.00

Last Review Posted by Aviv - posted: 3:43pm

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Views: 28467

Nine circles sells two lengths 50" and 53" and two thicknesses 2.4 cm and 2.7 cm. We purchased some 53" in both thicknesses and I can really recommend the thicker ones, which is are just over 1" thick. This is a good jo for larger students. Rating: 8

Product Details: "White Oak Jo" by ian - posted: - Rating: 8.50

Last Review Posted by kjeremiah - posted: 10:43am

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Views: 2903

Tenchi: Building a Bridge between Heaven and Earth by Alister Gillies 2012, CreateSpace, 134 pp. paperback-$14.00 e-book-$3.99 Review by Ken Jeremiah, Ed.D. “Tenchi: Building a Bridge between Heaven and Earth” is written by a longtime practitioner of Aikido, Alister Gillies. In this text, he relates some of the things he has learned throughout the years. These include some insights regarding the connection between the mind and body, and the training undertaken in order enhance this relationship. The book also includes information about the development of internal power, and the existence of specific (aiki) movements in Aikido that can be traced to its parent art, Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu. The book is a collection of essays in which the author reflects upon his personal experiences while training in martial arts, and on the practices used in order to increase the connection between the mind and the body. Due to the nature of the book, there is a variety of topics covered. These topics include the “therapeutic value and function” of Aikido, and the diversity of different styles of Aikido. “Tenchi: Building a Bridge between Heaven and Earth” also points out the popularity of Aikido (and Zen) in Italy and France. Comparing the ideas of French philosophers with the viewpoints found in Japanese martial and spiritual practices, the author explains how such seemingly diverse traditions actually blended together logically for Europeans. It is primarily for this reason that “there are more people practicing Aikido in France today than in any other country, including Japan.” Italy also retains a strong connection to Japan, and it too has a flourishing Aikido community. In my opinion, the most interesting aspects of the book were the chapters in which Mr. Gillies delved into the history of the art. He explained that O-Sensei taught different things to different students, and that this must be kept in mind in order to understand the complete whole. He also explored the connection between Daito-ryu and Aikido with an emphasis on the changes that O-Sensei made in order to formulate Aikido. In addition, he discussed the connection of Aikido to Zen. Although O-Sensei was not a member of this sect, or any Buddhist sect, there are some practitioners today who like to make this connection. As such, this book may help to clarify such connections for students who choose to combine these traditions, modifying Aikido in order to suit their own purposes. Mr. Gillies also compares the teachings of Aikido, specifically the notion of Tenchi, to various other religious and cultural traditions on the planet, including shamanism. “Tenchi: Building a Bridge between Heaven and Earth” does not lead readers along a linear, step-by-step voyage. Rather, it is a free-flowing, drifting text, in which the readers might not know where they will end up. However, at the end of the trip, they will be richer due to the experience. This text is worthwhile for practitioners of Aikido, and it may lead to future research regarding the connections between Chinese and Japanese practices and similar exercises found in cultures throughout the world, both new and old. I recommend it. Rating: 8

Product Details: "Tenchi: Building a Bridge between Heaven and Earth" by Alister Gillies - posted: - Rating: 8.00

Last Review Posted by Janet L. - posted: 2:35pm

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Views: 31128

Mine is the 800 gram version with the Tengu logos. It seems very well made and isn't quite as stiff as my housemate's Judo gi. It hasn't shrunk appreciably in three washings (cold water, air dry.) It seems to be very well made, all hems are nicely bound. The only down side is that it's HEAVY. I've had padded leather motorcycle jackets that didn't weigh this much! The bottoms were about the right length, and double layered from above the knees nearly to the hem, but clearly made for someone MUCH larger than I am. I'm not skinny, at 5'11" & 165lb, but I have to gather up about a foot of extra material to keep 'em up. The quality of the construction with all nicely finished seams, makes the proposition of taking them up rather daunting, so I'll put up with it.

Product Details: "Nine Circles AG-3 Deluxe Aikido Gi" by JRY - posted: - Rating: 9.00

Last Review Posted by Anjisan - posted: 7:18pm

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Views: 26314

This is an awsome product that will last quite a while and won't tear out. However, it is quite expensive. Rating: 10

Product Details: "12oz White Dogi Jacket" by akiy - posted: - Rating: 10.00

Last Review Posted by Janet L. - posted: 10:23am

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Views: 31128

Mine is the 800g Sashiko Ori rice grain fabric. It is remarkably stout, and I've owned motorcycle jackets which aren't as heavy. I've washed it four or five times, and it hasn't shrunk much, 'though I haven't subjected it to the dryer. Rating: 9

Product Details: "Nine Circles AG-3 Deluxe Aikido Gi" by JRY - posted: - Rating: 9.00

Last Review Posted by softocean - posted: 2:11pm

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Views: 738

I recommend this as a handy guide to see basic techniques executed, as well as finding the differences between various techniques explained. You can find a preview of this book through amazon or through google: http://amzn.com/1468092189 http://books.google.com/books?id=-dVoY805xHYC&lpg=PP1&dq=aikido%20techniques%20handbook&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q=aikido%20techniques%20handbook&f=false Rating: 10

Product Details: "Aikido Techniques Handbook" by softocean - posted: - Rating: 10.00

Last Review Posted by TheAikidoka - posted: 7:46am

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Views: 16934

This DVD presents the Iwama aiki ken weapons system, that was passed down by the founder to M. Saito sensei. It includes the 7 suburi, ki musubi no tachi, and the five kumi tachi plus sword and body variations. It does not however include the ken tai jo (sword vs staff) techniques. Saito sensei power and grace with the ken is seen throught this DVD adn he explains the movements of the ken with simple to use language and precise explanations. I would deffinately recomend this DVD to anyone interested i learning the founders original teachings of Aiki ken. Rating: 10

Product Details: "Aiki Ken" by akiy - posted: - Rating: 10.00

Last Review Posted by MatthewMcCann - posted: 8:55am

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Views: 40596

This book is a must for the new Aikido student. It provides key insight into etiquette, Japanese language use, and the fundamental philosophies that govern everyday life in the Aikido Dojo. I seriously recommend this book for people thinking about joining, or have just begun their practice in Aikido. Rating: 9

Product Details: "The Aikido Student Handbook" by akiy - posted: - Rating: 9.00

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