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Budo Teachings of the Founder of Aikido
EL LIBRO MÁS ESPERADO POR LOS AMANTES DE ESTE ARTE MARCIAL * Un libro indispensable para todos los estudiantes de artes Marciales del siglo XXI * Aprende aikido con su fundador * Las series técnicas y fotografías inéditas del macstro creador del alkido * Los textos. inéditos del maestro introducidos por el Doshu * Datos biográficos. filosofía y técnica en un libro histórico * El espíritu renovador de los Budó y su actualización a nuestros días
135 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 17, 2016
This book is really three separate booklets bound into one. In this case, I believe the three parts work together quite well, and it doesn’t feel like a trick of padding to make a pamphlet into a salable book. I only mention this to point out that the three sections are quite different on several levels (i.e. authorship, subject, and content), and to put the reader on notice of it.
The first part is an “Introduction” by Kisshōmaru Ueshiba. The reason I put introduction in quotes is that it’s really a brief biography of Morihei Ueshiba (often called Ōsensei by practitioners of his art.) At 16 pages, it would be somewhat long for an introduction to the (130pg) book, but it introduces the martial arts master who founded the martial art of aikidō and who wrote the second part of the book nicely. The bio is a good use of space. Morihei Ueshiba wasn’t only an accomplished martial arts master, but he led an interesting life as well. I found this biography to be intriguing, and it made me want to read a full biography of the man. I must point out that there are a couple spots that will trigger the BS-meter of any rational skeptic (i.e. comments about Ueshiba being bulletproof or invincible.) Even though I don’t believe for a minute that the man was either bullet-proof or invincible, I think that most of this biography is true, and even that which isn’t gives one insight into the man as a combat veteran (and it certainly says something that some of his students literally deified him.) In addition to biographical text, this part includes various photos from both inside and outside the dōjō.
The second part is the beating heart of the book. This is a manual on martial arts written by Morihei Ueshiba, himself. It features prose, photos, technique descriptions, and even poems. While the bulk of the section consists of descriptions of techniques along with illustrative photos, there’s some philosophy of martial arts in both the early text and poems at the beginning and ending of the section. This section is almost 50 pages long, and the translator provides explanatory end-notes that help to make sense of the text for non-specialists.
The last section is technically the longest. However, it contains almost no text other than a translator’s introduction and technique names. It’s a series of technique sequence photos. The photos were taken in 1936 and were taken at the behest of the president of Kodansha Ltd. at the time, Seiji Noma—hence, they’re referred to as the “Noma Dōjō Techniques.” The shots of the sequences are tight enough that one can follow the flow of Ueshiba’s movement. For me, this section wasn’t particularly valuable. However, for practitioners of Aikidō, I can imagine how it could be invaluable. In other words, if one is familiar with the techniques, one might spot something that would give one a new insight. For the rest of us, this section just gives a crude taste of the nature of Aikidō.
I found this book to be interesting and informative. I’d recommend it not only for aikidō practitioners, but for those interested in the martial arts more generally. There is certainly insight to be gained from this phenomenal martial arts master.
The first part is an “Introduction” by Kisshōmaru Ueshiba. The reason I put introduction in quotes is that it’s really a brief biography of Morihei Ueshiba (often called Ōsensei by practitioners of his art.) At 16 pages, it would be somewhat long for an introduction to the (130pg) book, but it introduces the martial arts master who founded the martial art of aikidō and who wrote the second part of the book nicely. The bio is a good use of space. Morihei Ueshiba wasn’t only an accomplished martial arts master, but he led an interesting life as well. I found this biography to be intriguing, and it made me want to read a full biography of the man. I must point out that there are a couple spots that will trigger the BS-meter of any rational skeptic (i.e. comments about Ueshiba being bulletproof or invincible.) Even though I don’t believe for a minute that the man was either bullet-proof or invincible, I think that most of this biography is true, and even that which isn’t gives one insight into the man as a combat veteran (and it certainly says something that some of his students literally deified him.) In addition to biographical text, this part includes various photos from both inside and outside the dōjō.
The second part is the beating heart of the book. This is a manual on martial arts written by Morihei Ueshiba, himself. It features prose, photos, technique descriptions, and even poems. While the bulk of the section consists of descriptions of techniques along with illustrative photos, there’s some philosophy of martial arts in both the early text and poems at the beginning and ending of the section. This section is almost 50 pages long, and the translator provides explanatory end-notes that help to make sense of the text for non-specialists.
The last section is technically the longest. However, it contains almost no text other than a translator’s introduction and technique names. It’s a series of technique sequence photos. The photos were taken in 1936 and were taken at the behest of the president of Kodansha Ltd. at the time, Seiji Noma—hence, they’re referred to as the “Noma Dōjō Techniques.” The shots of the sequences are tight enough that one can follow the flow of Ueshiba’s movement. For me, this section wasn’t particularly valuable. However, for practitioners of Aikidō, I can imagine how it could be invaluable. In other words, if one is familiar with the techniques, one might spot something that would give one a new insight. For the rest of us, this section just gives a crude taste of the nature of Aikidō.
I found this book to be interesting and informative. I’d recommend it not only for aikidō practitioners, but for those interested in the martial arts more generally. There is certainly insight to be gained from this phenomenal martial arts master.
April 5, 2020
As others note, the beginning is a biography of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido, and then the bulk of the book are many photographs of techniques.
The biography is written by Kisshomaru Ueshiba and was fascinating to me. It is quite spiritual and fascinating and the philosophies described here carry through in the description of the techniques. The notion of acting as a force of nature seems to be deeply reflected with the commitments by which Morihei Ueshiba lived his life. At one point the book describes how he acquired a sense of the trajectory of bullets based on flashes of light preceding them.
The biography is written by Kisshomaru Ueshiba and was fascinating to me. It is quite spiritual and fascinating and the philosophies described here carry through in the description of the techniques. The notion of acting as a force of nature seems to be deeply reflected with the commitments by which Morihei Ueshiba lived his life. At one point the book describes how he acquired a sense of the trajectory of bullets based on flashes of light preceding them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2019
A bit shorter than I was expecting, but interesting nonetheless. The majority is made up of pictures of techniques, which was interesting but not what I was interested in as much as the theory / philosophical aspect. The text in the middle section did cover that, in a dense and somewhat confusing manner.
Overall certainly worth a read, especially if you want to learn more about Ueshiba himself. There are plenty of ideas to chew on (during physical practice or otherwise) if you are so inclined.
Overall certainly worth a read, especially if you want to learn more about Ueshiba himself. There are plenty of ideas to chew on (during physical practice or otherwise) if you are so inclined.
November 30, 2017
The content of this book is excellent giving a background to the creation of aikido. From the viewpoint of Morihei Ueshiba and one of his sons. My only minor issue is that the way in which the photographs of the techniques have been shot does not make it particularly easy to work out how to execute those techniques. Obviously this book is in all likelihood a companion work to actually studying aikido with a qualified instructor.
November 10, 2015
There are two parts to this book, the word and the pictures. Yes, yes, yes, they are inseperable and manifestations of the same energy. Being a novice and a beginning practioner I take the luxury of ignorance and I say there is a dicotomy.
The written word tells of O'Sensei's life and philosophy. His humanistic universality. His spiritualism. WuWu stuff way over my head. Perhaps the more I practise the more possibility I may be affected spiritually, but I wouldn't hold my breath. In fact holding ones breath defeats the very power of Aikido.
The more one has practiced, the more one can relate to the photographs. This calls for doing. There is no substitute for doing. O'Sensei was able to pin a Sumo wrestler with one finger.
"Fill yourself with Ki and invite the attack"
The written word tells of O'Sensei's life and philosophy. His humanistic universality. His spiritualism. WuWu stuff way over my head. Perhaps the more I practise the more possibility I may be affected spiritually, but I wouldn't hold my breath. In fact holding ones breath defeats the very power of Aikido.
The more one has practiced, the more one can relate to the photographs. This calls for doing. There is no substitute for doing. O'Sensei was able to pin a Sumo wrestler with one finger.
"Fill yourself with Ki and invite the attack"
February 16, 2012
The formatting of this book, as translated, is very awkward and makes it tedious to read. Footnotes would have been much preferred to endnotes, and it would have been preferable to read definitions of key terms in the introduction rather than waiting until the body of the book. All editorial issues. The actual introduction provided by Ueshiba's son was very interesting, and brief enough that I think I'll need to find some supplementary materials. Ueshiba's writing was a bit beyond me at this stage in my Aikdio practice; I think I'll need to find a book that provides a more in-depth explanation of his writing/theory/"way".
January 30, 2009
The introduction by his son Kisshomaru Ueshiba, sums up the basic biography of the Founder. I found the photos of a younger Morihei to be very informative. In addition, his emperor oriented poetry gives us a glimpse of a different mindset. The evolution of Aikido did not just occur in the techniques.
September 6, 2011
Budo is Ueshiba at his prime during the late 30s while solidifying the Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu teachings of Soukaku into what would become aikido. Much of what is shown in this book can be seen today in Iwama-ryu aikido which is closer to Ueshiba's early aikido from the 40s.
This is an essential book for anyone interested in the history of aikido whether you practice or not.
This is an essential book for anyone interested in the history of aikido whether you practice or not.
November 18, 2021
This book is a very good introduction to Morihei Ueshiba and Aikidō.
I have read this book many years ago and felt the need to read it again.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Japanese culture and martial arts.
I have read this book many years ago and felt the need to read it again.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Japanese culture and martial arts.
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January 24, 2018Necessary reading for any aikidoist.
Want to read
July 11, 2013fgdfgdgddfd
March 10, 2014
I have the hardcover of this and found it very interesting, but not very helpful as a text to improve technique.
June 21, 2016
This is a beautiful book. Buyer beware, I highly recommend you to read it until you are an accomplished (at least) Aikidoka with Shodan.
November 29, 2015
Liked the book. Interested in Aikido and wanted to learn more about it.
February 7, 2023
Nur was für Martial Arts nerds
November 10, 2017
Well written/translated. A nice combination of philosophy and technique. However, the descriptions of techniques will be lost on you (as they were me) unless you are already rather familiar with these specifics of aikido.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews