From AikiWiki - AikiWeb Aikido Information

[edit] Oscar Ratti

Oscar Ratti, perhaps best known in the aikido world for his graceful illustrations in his book (co-authored by Adele Westbrook), "Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere," passed away on August 11th, 2005 in Manhattan at the age of 76.

He was born on September 11th, 1928, in San Terenzo (the sea coast also known as the Gulf of the Poets and also home of the Shelleys) and moved to Naples when he was quite young. Tuttle Publishing states, "He received his degree in classical studies and law from the University of Naples where he was intercollegiate Greco-Roman wrestling champion and a member of the championship judo team. He later came to the United States and began to study aikido with Yasuo Ohara, one of the first instructors to teach in New York."

In addition to the classic "Dynamic Sphere," Mr. Ratti also helped author and/or illustrate Code of the Samurai, Secrets of the Samurai, The Tales of the Hermit Vol 1, Vol 2, and Vol 3.

His illustrations have grown to be immediately recognizable in the world of aikido and have become a part of the bookshelves of countless aikido practitioners (myself included).