Bibliography Index

• A Life in Aikido: The Biography of Founder Morihei Ueshiba

  Kisshomaru Ueshiba / Kodansha (2008)

  Aikido / Biographical / Historical

  Summary: In this engaging and compelling biography, the Founder's son Kissomaru Ueshiba (the second Aikido Doshu) details the life of this remarkable man, from his early years as a youth in the turbulent Meiji era to his death in 1969. Incorporating many first-hand accounts and anecdotes as well as historical documents, the author weaves a fascinating narrative of the Founder's life, and with great fondness tells of his own memories of the man who would come to be known as O Sensei--great master.

• Aiki News Encyclopedia of Aikido, The

  Stanley Pranin / 2nd edition, Aiki News (1991)

  Aikido / Biographical / Historical

  Summary: The first comprehensive reference work for Aikido-related names and topics. A standard before Aikido Journal evolved into a global electronic reference. First Edition appeared in 1989.

• Aiki: Collectors Edition

  Bernie Lau / Land Printing (1986)

  Aikido / Daito-ryu aikijujutsu / Historical

  Summary: This is a single-issue limited printing of 500. The author gives historical comparison of both Aikido and Aiki-Jujutsu. There are extensive photos of records and key historical figures, and a balanced synopsis about the histories of both arts.

• Aikibatto: Sword Exercises for Aikido Students

  Stefan Stenudd / BookSurge (2007)

  Aikido / Historical / Technical

  Summary: Aikibatto is a system of sword and staff exercises for Aikido students, as well as for anyone interested in the Japanese martial arts. This book presents the basics and principles of the sophisticated sword arts developed by the Japanese warrior aristocracy, the samurai.

• Aikido

  Peter Brady / Lorenz Books (2006)

  Aikido / Biographical / Historical / Philosophical / Technical

  Summary: A newly published British import, this is a basic Aikido overview in a quality package. There are sections on history, biographical data, the Aikido mindset, technical information, and self-defense. Note: A 2007 Lorenz release entitled "T'ai Chi and Aikido" contains a word-for-word republication of this book, along with a previous T'ai Chi publication.

• Aikido (Illustrated History of Martial Arts)

  Jerry Craven / The Rourke Corporation (1994)

  Children / Historical

  Summary: Probably aimed at teens and pre-teens, this book is a very basic history of the origins of Aikido. Illustrated with color drawings.

• Aikido Insights

  Hoa Newens / lulu.com (2010)

  Aikido / Anecdotal / Historical / Philosophical

  Summary: In this collection of essays Hoa Newens Sensei shares his insights on various aspects of Aikido training. The content of the essays is drawn from his forty-four years of experience in this martial art that is also known as the Art of Peace. These 31 essays were written over a period of fifteen years and were meant to guide Aikido students in the intangible aspect of Aikido practice. Subjects discussed include, among other things, conflict resolution, ultimate self-defense, kata practice, teachings of Morihiro Saito Shihan, and the concept of Rei in martial arts. Readers from all styles of martial arts and at all levels will find gems that will enrich their own training.

• Aikido Masters - Volume 1

  Stanley Pranin / First Edition edition, Aiki News (1993)

  Biographical / Historical

  Summary: From the Preface: "Aikido Masters: Prewar Students of Morihei Ueshiba" contains materials from interviews conducted in Japan over an eighteen-year period by the staff of Aiki News magazine. The fourteen individuals presented are all leading students of Morihei Ueshiba from the prewar years who participated in the process which culminated in the birth of modern aikido."

• Aikido Memoirs

  Alan Ruddock / Lulu.com for Aiki Pathways (2009)

  Aikido / Biographical / Historical

  Summary: From the Publisher: One Irishman's lifetime search for the answer to the mystery of Morihei Ueshiba's Aikido.

• Aikido Pioneers: Prewar Era

  Stanley Pranin / Aiki News (2010)

  Aikido / Biographical / Historical

  Summary: The interviews contained in "Aikido Pioneers – Prewar Era" have been meticulously edited from hundreds of hours of conversations conducted over a 30-year period with those closest to the Founder. These early devotees of the art offer an insightful portrayal of the character of the Aikido Founder, and a detailed description of his teaching and activities, spanning nearly half a century. More than 100 photos, many published for the first time, add an important visual dimension to the testimonies of the interviewees. This is an essential volume for those desiring to discover the roots of Aikido, a true cultural treasure of Japan.

• Aikido Principles

  Stefan Stenudd / Arriba (2008)

  Aikido / Historical / Philosophical

  Summary: This book is basically a re-titled edition of the book "Aikido: The Peaceful Martial Art".

• Aikido Weapons Techniques

  Phong Thong Dang & L. Seiser / Tuttle Publishing (2006)

  Aikido / Historical / Technical

  Summary: This is a basic aiki weapons primer, including background on the origins of weapons usage in Aikido training. The discussion is limited to the primary weapons; ken, jo, and tanto. Included in some detail are the spiritual implications of weapons training.

• Aikido: The Essential Introductory Guide

  Jon Pearson / Vermilion (1991)

  Historical / Philosophical

  Summary: This is a reprinted version done in 1997 of the 1991 book "An Introduction to Aikido" by the same author, but different publisher. The text is identical. It is a basic overview of the history, philosophy, and practice of Aikido, with an emphasis on the methodology of training and advanced training.

• Aikido: The Peaceful Martial Art

  Stefan Stenudd / BookSurge (2008)

  Aikido / Historical / Philosophical

  Summary: This book represents the principles and basic concepts of Aikido - deeply rooted in Eastern philosophy and the refined ideals of the samurai. It is not a technical manual, but an exploration of the thoughts and theories at work in Aikido practice. This book has been re-issued with the revised title "Aikido Principles".

• Aikido: Traditional Art & Modern Sport

  Brian Bagot / 1st edition, The Crowood Press, Ltd., England (1990)

  Historical / Technical

  Summary: The author teaches in England, and the book appears to reflect the Tomiki and Iwama traditions. It is a detailed, beginner's guide to Aikido, including text and photos. Sword and staff waza are also introduced, including the 31 step jo kata. At the end of the book are a glossary and even a guide to Japanese writing and pronunciation. Also produced as a hardback volume (ISBN # 1852234261)

• Art of Aikido, The

  Kisshomaru Ueshiba / Kodansha International (2004)

  Aikido / Historical / Technical

  Summary: This book is a compilation of Kisshomaru’s writings on Aikido. It will provide the reader with deep insight into both the spiritual and technical dimensions of Aikido, and explain its central features—ki energy, breathing methods, posture, among others. The book is detailed with many dynamic photos, depicting the author, and his son Moriteru (present Doshu, and the author of The Aikido Master Course), carrying out the techniques.

• Complete Guide to Aikido, The

  Stanley Pranin / Aiki News (1987)

  Aikido / Biographical / Historical

  Summary: This book was produced in limited quantity, and served as the forerunner to later separate and much more comprehensive Encyclopedia and Dojo Directory publications.

• Daito-Ryu Aiki Jujutsu

  Seigo Okamoto / Kaitensha Publications (1999)

  Daito-ryu aikijujutsu / Historical / Technical

  Summary: The book contains the history of Daito-ryu and details the encounters of Sokaku Takeda and the Horikawa family. It takes you through the steps of beginning exercise as Okamoto Sensei describes them. Then it takes you to the aiki techniques (it's hard to perform them). The end section of the book contains text in Japanese with little translation and explains the concept of Ki and weight distribution. Contains techniques that are performed by Okamoto Sensei during his demonstration.

• Daito-ryu Aikijutsu: Conversations with Daito-Ryu Masters

  Stanley Pranin / Aiki News (1996)

  Biographical / Historical

  Summary: This book contains a history and lineage of Daito-Ryu, and a fascinating collection of interviews conducted by Stanley Pranin. Modestly illustrated.

• Dynamic Aikido

  Gozo Shioda / Kodansha International Ltd (1968)

  Historical / Technical

  Summary: A staple in any Aikido book collection, this book is the first of several of Shioda Sensei's books translated into English for mass market distribution. Coverage is provided for Aikido history and evolution, philosophies and basic techniques. Well illustrated.

• Founder of Aikido

  Kisshomaru Ueshiba / 1983

  Aikido / Biographical / Historical

  Summary: This book is a pictorial essay produced by the Aikikai Foundation to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of O'Sensei. The main book is limited to Japanese text only (back-to-front read), but the book was published with a separate English-language supplement which provides complete translation of the limited narrative text, as well as all photo captions. The book is a photo depiction of O'Sensei's life, and contains an assortment of photos well-known to Aikidoka, as well as many that are not often found in other works. A cardboard slipcover was also provided.

• Hidden in Plain Sight: Tracing the Roots of Ueshiba Morihei's Power

  Ellis Amdur / edgework.info (2009)

  Aikido / Anecdotal / Biographical / Historical / Philosophical

  Summary: From the Author/Publisher's Website: Ellis Amdur's writing on martial arts has been groundbreaking. In this volume, Amdur has radically reworked his iconoclastic essays first published on the website of Aikido Journal. Here, he attempts to establish the existence of something all but lost in Japanese martial arts -- a sophisticated type of training, encompassing mental imagery, breath-work, and a variety of physical techniques that offered the practitioner the potential to develop skills sometimes viewed as nearly superhuman. Commonly referred to as "internal training," and usually believed to be the provenance of Chinese martial arts, Amdur asserts that not only was it once common among many Japanese martial traditions, but elements of such training still remain, passed down in a few martial arts -- literally "hidden in plain sight." As always, Amdur reminds us that this is a human endeavor and he provides vivid, even heartbreaking portrayals of some of the great practitioners of these skills, men who devoted their lives to an obsessive pursuit of power.

• In Search of the Warrior Spirit

  Richard Strozzi Heckler / North Atlantic Books (1990)

  Historical / Philosophical

  Summary: Also available in hardback (ISBN#1556430558) and in 3rd Edition softcover (ISBN#1556434251) 2002. In a top-secret U.S. military experiment, Richard Heckler was invited to teach Eastern awareness disciplines ranging from Aikido to meditation to a group of 25 Green Berets. This account chronicles his experiences in the training program and his attempts to revive traditional warriorship in a technological society. His book provides insight into the nature of war, the meaning of masculinity, and the need for moral values in the military. This new edition includes Heckler’s response to 9/11, his connections to the Pentagon and U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, and his reflections on the movie Black Hawk Down, which depicts the deaths of two of his trainees.

• Introduction to Aikido

  Rod Kobayashi / Seidokan Headquarters (1985)

  Aikido / Historical / Technical

  Summary: This booklet is a brief overview of Aikido principles from the "ki" perspective, along with brief narrative descriptions for several basic techniques. Not illustrated.

• Introduction to Aikido, An

  Jon Pearson / Macdonald and Co. (1991)

  Historical / Philosophical

  Summary: This is exactly the same text as is found in "Aikido: The Essential Introductory Guide" by the same author.

• Kodo: Ancient Ways

  Kensho Furuya / Ohara Publications (1996)

  Historical / Philosophical

  Summary: (the following text is taken from the author's web site):

• Moving Toward Stillness

  Dave Lowry / Tuttle (2000)

  Historical / Philosophical

  Summary: Moving Toward Stillness is a collection based upon Dave Lowry's magazine articles from the past decade, mostly from his highly regarded column in Black Belt magazine. Written from an almost Japanese perspective, it offers an entertaining and informative view of the Martial Arts arts. Topics explored include entering the Martial Arts way, making the pursuit of traditional Asian Martial Arts arts a part of modern Western life, the paradoxes and conflicts such a path inevitably generates, how to adapt to the mindset necessary for true mastery of a foreign art, and much more

• Spirit of Aikido, The

  Kisshomaru Ueshiba / Kodansha International (1984)

  Aikido / Biographical / Historical / Philosophical

  Summary: A book written by Kisshomaru Ueshiba, son of Morihei Ueshiba. The author covers subjects ranging from "The Ki of the Universe and Individual Ki" to "Inheriting the Founder's Aspirations" and many more. Contains many photos of O-Sensei and of Kisshomaru. Softcover pocket-size edition (ISBN 0870118501) first published in 1987.

• Spiritual Foundations of Aikido, The

  William Gleason / 1st edition, Destiny Books, Rochester, Vermont (1995)

  Historical / Philosophical

  Summary: This book deals in detail with the so-called esoteric aspects of Aikido-- those things that we hear about, but seldom understand. For example, one chapter deals with Shinto, its history, mythology, current state today, and its connection with Aikido. Other chapters cover topics like "Kototama," "One Spirit, Four Souls," "Three Origins, Eight Powers," and order in the universe. These topics, and others, are part of the spiritual side of Aikido; they are most often found in the sayings of Ueshiba O-Sensei, and it is rare that someone attempts to make these ideas clear. Here is a book length attempt to do so. Although there are many technical photos of waza, with explanations, this is not a technical manual; the author is illustrating points made in the text by showing examples applied to practice. At the end of the book is a quite extensive glossary.

• 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

• The Truth of the Ancient Ways: A Critical Biography of the Swordsman Yamaoka Tesshu

  Unknown / Author: Anatoliy Anshin edition, Kodenkan Institute (2012)

  Biographical / Historical / Koryu

  Summary: From the Back Cover

• Tomiki Aikido: Past and Future

  Lee Ah Loi / Lee Ah Loi/Kelmscott Press Ltd. (1988)

  Aikido / Historical

  Summary: Unlike the author's other books, this volume is not technical in nature. Instead it discusses and details the origins of Tomiki-style Aikido, and memorializes the author's primary teacher, Hideo Ohba Sensei. Illustrated.

• Unlocking the Secrets of Aiki-jujutsu

  H.E. Davey / Master's Press (NTC/Contemporary Publishing Group) (1997)

  Historical / Technical

  Summary: This book offers an overview of the evolution of Japanese budo, and the origins of Aiki-Jujutsu. There are a very few techniques described. There is a sizable glossary of terms included.

• Zen Stories of the Samurai

  Neal Dunnigan / First edition, Lulu Enterprises, Inc. (2005)

  Anecdotal / Historical / Philosophical / Proverbial / Spiritual

  Summary: Intriguing encounters between Zen practitioners and samurai warriors are recaptured in this breviloquent collection of short stories drawn from the literature of feudal Japan. These encounters deal with the nature of immediacy and its role in understanding the essence of human existence. For the martial artist faced with a conflict, the Zen state of mind, without distractions and illusions, can determine the difference between life and death. The warrior experience, as revealed in these traditional stories, is retold in a style that is relevant and graspable to the contemporary American martial artist. No particular religious background is required to appreciate these stories, but rather a curiosity about what allows people to achieve extraordinary performance when faced with life and death circumstances. Zen ink paintings by John Hrabushi offer a meditative and intellectual “cross training” throughout the collection. Foreword by noted Aikido Shihan Lorraine DiAnne.