I started Aikido a couple months ago, and am interested in reading more about it. I want a good book with illustrations/pictures and names of the techniques. It is confusing to try to remember all the moves, and I want to be able to study more. Please give me some suggestions. Thank you!
2007-07-23 17:54:17 · 5 answers · asked by JR 4 in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
One of the finest books on Aikido for the Westerner is "Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere". It has been around since the 70's, but it's a classic. It contains history, philosophy, technical specifications, finely drawn imagery, and stories. It is quite a read, and is more scholarly than nearly any other Aikido book on the market. It should be a basic in any Aikido library.
2007-07-23 18:39:54 · answer #1 · answered by Murakumo Dojo 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Aikido Books
2016-11-13 10:43:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great answers. I too have to agree that regardless of the paticular style of Aikido you study, The Dynamic Sphere is the best. I would also suggest Total Aikido by Gozo Shioda, and The Structure of Aikido by Gakku Homma.
2007-07-24 07:09:04 · answer #3 · answered by samurai2717 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Books in my martial arts library relevant directly to Aikido:
General (philosophical, tactical and historical):
-The Analects of Confucius, Confucious
-The Art of Peace; Morihei Ueshiba O'Sesnei
-The Art of War; Sun Tzu
-Book of Five Rings/Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War; Miyamoto Mushashi/Yagyu Munenori
-Cheng Hsin - The Principles of Effortless Power; Peter Ralston
-Hagakure, Tsuetomo Yamamoto
-Tao Te Ching; Lao Tzu
-The Secrets of the Samurai; Adele Westbrook, Oscar Ratti
-The Tao of Pooh; Benjamin Hoff
-The Te of Piglet; Benjamin Hoff
-Zen in the Art of Archery
Aikido (philosophical and technical - both important):
-Aikido; Kisshomaru Ueshiba Doshu
-Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere; Adele Westbrook, Oscar Ratti
-Aikido and the Harmony of Nature; Mitsugi Saotome Shihan
-The Art of Aikido; Kisshomaru Ueshiba Doshu
-Budo Training in Aikido; Morihei Ueshiba O'Sensei
-The Principles of Aikido; Mitsugi Saotome Shihan
2007-07-27 17:23:59 · answer #4 · answered by Justin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While not confined to aikido per se, Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts, by Donn Draeger, is a book I highly recommend.
2007-07-27 09:41:29 · answer #5 · answered by Johnnycache 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I concur with Murakumo above, I have a copy of that book and the fact that it was written by westerners who studied aikido, makes it a lot easier to comprehend and gives a better insight into the art compared to english translations of books written by japanese masters.
2007-07-23 23:11:20 · answer #6 · answered by Shienaran 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋