*************************************************************************** AIKIDO BOOKS - (FACT AND FICTION) *************************************************************************** From: David Lin ------------------------------------------- Ratti and Westbrook. Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere. -- an excellent text with good illustrations and in-depth analysis of most of the main principles of aikido. Unlike other texts, this book gets away from the more "Zen" idea of having only photographs and names of techniques. Ueshiba, Kisshomaru. Aikido. -- the authoritative text by the son of O'Sensei. Every major technique is shown. Ki exercises, wrist stretches, and even applications are explained. But there is very little breakfall technique explained. Shioda, Gozo. Dynamic Aikido. -- book by the founder of Yoshinkan style. Shioda Sensei has recently passed away, but his techniques, as seen in his book, are a legacy. Stevens, John. Abundant Peace. -- the biography of O'Sensei. Dobson, Terry. Aikido in Everyday Life. -- explains the applications of aikido philosophy in all kinds of conflicts in our lives at work, at home, and in the public. Dobson, Terry. It's a Lot Like Dancing. -- this book is essential for any aikido fans who love the symmetry of the art. The photographs by Jan Watson are amazing. ============================================================================ From: Beverly Corwin ---------------------------------------------------- John Stevens has written alot of books about Japan, Zen, Aikido, Japanese Art, Philosophy, Calligraphy, and Poetry. Here's a list as best I can do, just from the top of my pointy little head... he he he he. I highly recommend "Aikido, the Way of Harmony" for a good, general beginner's book on Aikido. Good luck! First, only Aikido related books: 1. Aikido the Way of Harmony, Shambala, 1984, an introduction to Shirata Sensei's Aikido... very basic, very general, and very nice. 2. Abundant Peace, Shambala, 1987, a biography of the life of Aikido O-Sensei, Morihei Ueshiba, rather controversial when published because of its description of Ohmoto-kyo and Daito-ryu. 3. Budo, Teachings of the Founder of Aikido, Kodansha, 1991, a translation of the founders teachers manual, Aikido no Budo. Lots of photos, doka (teaching poetry about Aikido principles) and technique. 4. The Art of Peace, Shambala Pocket Classics, 1992, A translation of a collection of the Aikido Founders poetry, comments, and sayings with a nice introduction by JS. 5. The Essence of Aikido, the Spiritual Teachings of Aikido, Kodansha, 1993, a very nice, clear explanation of the origins of Aikido philosophy, symbolism, kototama, doka, calligraphy, and some history. 6. John's next book is going to be about Kototama principles and Misogi practice as it pertains to Aikido training. He said it will be out sometime early next year. The title will probably be something like "The Complete Aikido" maybe... :-) *Other books by John Stevens about other subjects: 1. Zen and the Art of Calligraphy, RKP, 1983 2. Sacred Calligraphy of the East, Shambala, 1981 3. The Sword of No Sword, The Life of the Master Warrior 4. Tesshu, Shambala, 1984 (this is a great book!) 4. The Marathon Monks of Mt. Hiei, Rider, 1988, (Also an amazing book about a stoic zen sect near Kyoto on Mt. Hiei) 5. Lust for Enlightenment, Buddhism and Sex, Shambala, 1990, probably one of his biggest embarassements... oh well. 6. Zenga, Brushstrokes for Enlightenment, New Orleans Museum of Art, 1990, This is a masterpeice! 7. One Robe, One Bowl, Shambala, 19??, translation of the poetry of the zen master Ryokan. 8. Three Zen Masters, Kodansha, 1993, translations of Ikkyu, Hakuin, and Ryokan, poetry and life stories, very nice. 9. Rengetsu, Kodansha, 1994, This is the translation of the poetry of a zen nun, Rengetsu, one of my favorites... this is very very beautiful stuff, but it just came out. I've read alot of her poetry in Japanese, but I'm looking forward to getting this one. Well, good luck. By the way, how is Aikido in Sweden? I met a guy, once, from Sweden in Japan, but I simply cannot remember his name. Oh well, enjoy your training. =========================================================================== Japan's Complete Fighting System - Shin Kage Ryu Robin L. Reilly Publisher: Charles Tuttle ISBN: 0-8048-1536-4 Summary: Another shinkage-ryu book, describes empty-handed and weapon techniques, including bo, jo, sword and knife. Only about 50 pages on sword technique, including stance basics, basic strikes with a katana, some individual exercises, and some solo and two-man kata, all demonstrated using shinken. ============================================================================= Several folks on this list have indicated their interest in the "Bad . . ." series of books by Anthony Bruno about the detective M. Tozzi who is also a student of Aikido (that is, both Bruno and Tozzi are students of Aikido) Roni Burrows =========================================================================== "A Daughter of a Samurai." It gives good background into the culture of feudal Japan in relation to Western culture. Since it was a required textbook, it was a rip and cost 14.95 U.S. and you can probably get it for much cheaper. ISBN is 0-8048-1655-7. This one is published by the Charles E. Tuttle Co. ============================================================================= > WHAT IS AIKIDO, By Koichie Tohei, Chief Instructor at The > General Headquarters Arena of Aikido. > This was the first ever book of Aikido printed in English. September, > 1962. ============================================================================== = And of course Nick Linnear from Eric Lustbader books is an Aikidoka as well. ======================================================================= Probably written by Vonda McIntyre? Vonda was introduced to aikido by Lizzy Lynn (same as me), and receieved shodan in Seattle (Emerald City?). She's actually a very good writer, although I wouldn't look for it in a Star Trek book. If I'm not telling you something you already know, try some of her straight sf. Nope. The author is Simon Hawke, whom I've never heard of before. =================================================================== >>>>> "Dean" == Dean Karres writes: Dean> My very first exposure to Aikido was in book. It was fiction Dean> but I don't remember what subcategory of fiction. I also do Dean> not remember the author or the title. Yeah, I know, fat lot Dean> of good this does anyone. Dean> All I remember is the main character finds himself Dean> semi-adopted by this family [father & daughter]. It just so Dean> happens that the father taught Aikido. Our hero is talked Dean> into taking lessons and they videotape his first lesson and Dean> the one just before his first Dan test. He is then able to Dean> see his improvement. This sounds like it could be "Anvil of the Heart" by ...um... someone or other :-). It's a science fiction book with two major themes: the introduction of gene-spliced children into society, replacing the old stone age types, and the development of the character through his Aikido practice. As I remember the teacher is about 100 years old and the author seems to have a traditional background :-). An OK book. Not great but worth reading if you are a science fiction fan and an Aikido-ka. =============================================================================