Bibliography Index

• Aikido

  Morihiro Saito / 1994

  Aikido

  Summary: This book may not exist. It is believed to be a misinterpretation of listings for the softcover editions in the "Traditional Aikido" series, by same author, same publisher, and same date of publication.

• Aikido: Its Heart and Appearance

  Morihiro Saito / 1st edition, Minato Research and Publishing Co., Ltd. (1975)

  Aikido / Technical

  Summary: This book has a publication date of 1975, while his popular first series, Traditional Aikido, ranged from 1973 to 1976. "Heart & Appearance" appears to be a shortened form of the series, intending the "further popularization of Aikido" and "correct initiation into the art." As such it focuses on etiquette, movement basics, and a quite limited set of techniques.

• Commentary on Budo (Takemusu Aikido Special Edition)

  Morihiro Saito / Aiki News (1999)

  Aikido / Philosophical / Technical

  Summary: This special edition of the Takemusu Aikido technical series presents an historical overview of the Founder’s aikido techniques from the time of the mid-1930s through the Iwama period following World War II. It is based on technical material contained in the manual entitled "Budo", published in 1938 by Morihei Ueshiba, supplemented by detailed commentary by Morihiro Saito Shihan. The technical material in this volume includes preparatory exercises, basic techniques, knife (tantodori), and sword-taking techniques (tachidori), sword vs. sword forms (ken tai ken), mock-bayonet (juken) techniques, and finishing exercises (shumatsu dosa).

• Takemusu Aikido - Volume 1, Background & Basics

  Morihiro Saito / 1st edition, Aiki News, Tokyo, Japan (1994)

  Aikido / Technical

  Summary: This book is Volume 1 of Morihiro Saito’s final series of Aikido technical manuals. It presents variations of ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, and yonkyo techniques, the most essential of aikido's basic forms. It contains detailed step-by-step explanations with many close-up photos. The First Edition of this volume is the most difficult of the "Takemusu" set to get, as it was never reprinted. This is because, unlike the other four volumes, it was entirely formatted in English, and would have needed to be re-edited into the same bilingual format as the others before it is reprinted. UPDATE (March '07) Newly edited, expanded and bilingually formatted edition released. See revised cover photo in this listing.

• Takemusu Aikido - Volume 1, Background & Basics

  Morihiro Saito / Second edition, Aiki News (2007)

  Aikido / Historical / Technical

  Summary: This book is the second edition of Volume 1 of Morihiro Saito’s final series of Aikido technical manuals. Produced in bilingual format (Japanese-English), it presents more than sixty variations of ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, and yonkyo techniques, the most essential of aikido's basic forms. It is illustrated with over 600 photographs and accompanied by detailed step-by-step explanations with many close-up photos

• Takemusu Aikido - Volume 2, More Basics

  Morihiro Saito / 1st edition, Aiki News, Tokyo, Japan (1996)

  Aikido / Technical

  Summary: Second volume in a set of five. Presents 76 techniques from shihonage, kotegaeshi and iriminage. Provides clear, step-by-step explanations of each technique. UPDATE: Revised Second Edition (expanded to 202 pages) published in 2007. See revised cover photo in this listing.

• Takemusu Aikido - Volume 3, Basics Concluded

  Morihiro Saito / 1st edition, Aiki News (1996)

  Aikido / Technical

  Summary: The third installment in a set of five, this volume completes the depiction of basic techniques, including tenchinage, kaitenage, koshinage, jujinage, morotedori kokyoho, and suwariwaza kokyuho. Includes step-by-step explanations and commentary. UPDATE: The new Second Edition was released in 2007 (expanded to 173 pages). Look for the revised cover photo in this listing.

• Takemusu Aikido - Volume 4, Kokyunage

  Morihiro Saito / Aiki News (1997)

  Aikido / Technical

  Summary: Fourth volume in a series of five, this book presents kokyunage techniques from shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, katatedori, ryotedori, morotedori, sodeguchidori, sodedori, munadori, katadori, tsuki, kosadori, ryoerijime, and numerous ushiro attacks. UPDATE: An interim printing of the First Edition of this book, with new cover art, was released in 2007. A completely revised and expanded Second Edition is expected, but as of early 2011 had not been published. See updated cover photo in this listing.

• Takemusu Aikido - Volume 5, Bukidori & Ninindori

  Morihiro Saito / Aiki News (2001)

  Aikido / Technical

  Summary: This book is the fifth volume in a set of five. It covers many techniques against weapons and two-person attacks, including tachidori, jodori, jonage, tankendori and ninindori, including step-by-step explanations and commentary. UPDATE: An "interim" publication of this volume, with new cover over First Edition material, was distributed in 2007. A revised and expanded Second Edition is expected, but had not been produced as of early 2011. See new cover photo in this listing.

• Traditional Aikido - Volume 1 - Basic Techniques

  Morihiro Saito / 1st edition, Minato Research & Publishing Company (1973)

  Aikido / Technical

  Summary: This is the first volume in a series of five. Four years after the founder passed away, Saito Morihiro Shihan laid the foundation of his systematic approach to the art. The book contains the basic moves for training with sword, empty hands and staff, presenting Aikido as a combined system (Riai). Hundreds of technical photos illustrate the brief text, complemented by a number of historical photos of the founder and then Doshu Kisshomaru as well as shots of training scenes in Iwama. The softcover edition (ISBN 0870409441) first published in 1995. In 2008, a publisher in Europe (Ondefo-Verlag) began reprinting this series. As of 2010, only Volumes 1-3 have been reproduced.

• Traditional Aikido - Volume 2 - Advanced Techniques

  Morihiro Saito / sixth printing, 1978 edition, Minato Research & Publishing Co., Tokyo (1973)

  Aikido / Technical

  Summary: In this second volume of his technical series of 5, Saito Morihiro Shihan completes his presentation of the founder's weapons system. Kumi-tachi, variations and tachi-dori are explained in detail as well as kumi-jo (the first 7), jo-dori, jo-nage and the beginnings of what later became the ken-tai-jo system. Again there is little text, hundreds of technical photos and a few shots of the Founder Morihei Ueshiba. The softcover edition (ISBN 087040945X) was first published in 1995. In 2008, a publisher in Europe (Ondefo-Verlag) began reprinting this series. As of 2010, only Volumes 1-3 have been reproduced.

• Traditional Aikido - Volume 3 - Applied Techniques

  Morihiro Saito / fourth printing, 1978 edition, Minato Research & Publishing Company (1974)

  Aikido / Technical

  Summary: Book 3 of 5, subtitled "Body Exercises and their unlimited ramifications" by Saito Morihiro Shihan, gives an overview of the basic curriculum of empty-handed Aikido. With little text and many pictures Aikido's essentials are explained. The softcover edition (ISBN 0870409468) first published in 1995. In 2008, a publisher in Europe (Ondefo-Verlag) began reprinting this series. As of 2010, only Volumes 1-3 have been reproduced.

• Traditional Aikido - Volume 4 - Vital Techniques

  Morihiro Saito / third printing 1977 edition, Minato Research & Publishing Company (1974)

  Aikido / Technical

  Summary: Volume 4 of 5 contains variations of the basic techniques, using different attacks and focusing on the application of atemi. It contains a large section on kaeshi-waza (counter techniques). Eight early photos of the Founder Morihei Ueshiba add to the fascination of this technical volume. The softcover edition (same ISBN) first published in 1992. In 2008, a publisher in Europe (Ondefo-Verlag) began reprinting this series. As of 2010, only Volumes 1-3 have been reproduced.

• Traditional Aikido - Volume 5 - Training Works Wonders

  Morihiro Saito / second printing 1978 edition, Minato Research&Publishing Co. (1976)

  Aikido / Technical

  Summary: This last volume in Saito Morihiro Shihan's 5-book series contains much more text and explanations than the other four. Besides giving some general information on Aikido and life with the founder in Iwama, the author focuses on training methods before going into variations and applications of techniques. He ends up with a section on group attacks, reminding us that Aikido always counts on more than one attacker. The softcover edition (ISBN 0870409484) first printed in 1995. In 2008, a publisher in Europe (Ondefo-Verlag) began reprinting this series. As of 2010, only Volumes 1-3 have been reproduced.