“I’ve always been very physically active. In grade school it was kickball, tag and later, the middle school’s softball team (I played first base). As a freshman in high school, a few months after watching my uncle in the NYC marathon, I decided to give the track team a try. I ran and jumped my way right into an athletic scholarship, seeing the US and earning a B.A. without any school loans hanging over my head in the process.”

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The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

I also went through a difficult period of several years trying to spread the art. However, I think my personality is such that I end up training with everyone in an enjoyable way and so I have decided to devote myself to the spread of aikido. In the beginning we did a lot of severe training, but there were quite a few people who did not like that kind of practice. Some of them would say it was enough if the beer they drank on the way home from training tasted good [laughter], and there were people who were satisfied with only that. However, the uchideshi or professionals must practice proper techniques.

Aikido Journal, and its predecessor Aiki News, have been published continuously since 1974. We have a great number of loyal readers who have blessed us with their support over the years. Some of these customers already have many of the products we offer.

In an effort to avoid any duplication of gift items, we have expanded the options and complimentary products available to those readers who subscribe or renew for two years.

To subscribe for two years, please choose from among the following options:

Two-year subscription + Back-issue DVD + “Encyclopedia of Aikido” + “Aikido Pioneers” free!

Two-year renewal + Two great DVDs: “Aikido Classics - Postwar Greats” and “Morihei Ueshiba - Founder of Aikido” free!

Two-year subscription + Book and DVD: “Takemusu Aikido: Background & Basics” and “Morihiro Saito: Lost Seminars 1” free!

Two-year subscription + Two Great DVDs free: “Koichi Tohei: Aikido with KI” and “Seigo Yamaguchi: A Seminar in Paris!”

“This was quite a few years ago already. And while the student in question did not use that exact phrase, I don’t think he’d disagree. But let me give the background. As you’ll know if you have read other parts of this blog, I do have a strong sense of a philosophy underlying traditional training, and I try to teach in accordance with it. I am also respectful of the style/organization of which I’m a member, and I ask my students to meet that organization’s requirements in terms of learning a code of ethics and certain other tenets.”

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The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

“Shu-ha-ri” literally means embracing the kata, diverging from the kata and discarding the kata. The pursuit of training in a classical Japanese endeavor almost always follows this educational process. This unique approach to learning has existed for centuries in Japan and has been instrumental in the survival of many older Japanese knowledge traditions.

I have been involved in aikido for 48 years now. Most advanced students and instructors I have come into contact with express great admiration for the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei. For most, he represents the highest level of skill so far attained in the art. If this is so and you, too, aspire to greatness in the art, why not investigate exactly what O-Sensei was doing, technically speaking? Fortunately, many priceless films of the founder have been preserved and are available through Aikido Journal. Why not make the commitment to take your skills to the next level by scrutinizing the amazing art of Morihei Ueshiba?

Stanley Pranin
Editor-in-chief, Aikido Journal

We have released the last installment of the Morihei Ueshiba video series titled “Divine Techniques,” which completes the set of six DVDs on the life and technique of the Founder of Aikido.

Click here for information on ordering the complete 6-volume set of DVDs at more than 30% off the retail price.

“I think I’m going to add another dimension to the subjects about which I ruminate on this blog. In short, ‘minimalism’.

Allow me to explain. What, you may wonder, does ‘minimalism’ have to do with budo, which is, after all, the focus of this blog? Maybe nothing. But then, maybe it does, if even in a broad, general sense.”

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The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

I was pleased to see a review of the book Bloody Iron in Volume 24, No. 3 of Aikido Journal. Here is a book that speaks plainly about the reality of conflict with edged weapons in circumstances involving lethal force. The authors, both long time residents of some of Americas finest prisons, describe in detail the prison environment as regards to the edged weapons conflict that is a part of daily life. The nature of such situations is presented graphically so that there will be no mistake as to their grim reality. There is much to learn in this volume and perhaps some of the information can give insight into the training that was necessary for the feudal era warriors of Japan.

Would you like to see the most famous Aikido figures of all time demonstrating their technique in their primes? This incredible program, titled Aikido Classics, Vol.:1: Postwar Greats, contains rare video footage of aikido’s greats: Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba, Second Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba (son and successor of the Founder), Gozo Shioda (Founder of Yoshinkan Aikido), Koichi Tohei (former Chief Instructor of the Aikikai Hombu Dojo who later established the Ki Society), and Morihiro Saito, one of aikido’s preeminent technicians and author of many important books on the art.

Below is a detailed look at the amazing contents of this one-of-a-kind DVD:

The whole of Budo is for dealing with adversity. From the very first beginning, adversity was present.

The exercise of arguing against a cause or position, not as a committed opponent, but to determine the validity of the cause or position, is an ancient practice. In the end, if valid, it strengthens the position. If not, it starts the search for other approaches that may work better.

From the late Middle Ages, this practice became known as Devil’s Advocate. From the Latin Advocatus Diaboli. The supporter was called Advocatus Dei - ‘God’s Advocate’. Interestingly The Devil’s Advocate’s formal title was Promoter of the Faith (Promotor Fidei).

“To be honest it only seems like yesterday that I turned Thirty and had all the energy and fitness I could ask for, now nearly 20 years on and approaching 50 things are somewhat different these days. Training is defiantly harder going and my flexibility is somewhat reduced and try as I might I just cant do the things I used to be able to do.”

Click here to read entire article.

The article below has been selected from the extensive archives of the Online Aikido Journal. We believe that an informed readership with knowledge of the history, techniques and philosophy of aikido is essential to the growth of the art and its adherence to the principles espoused by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

When it comes to showing aikido to the general public in a way both attractive and easy to understand, Gozo Shioda stands alone. He combines a lucid analysis of aikido theory with crisp technique and a liberal dash of humor. The observer of a Shioda aikido demonstration is almost invariably caught up in the mood of the experience and is ready to join an aikido dojo without the least bit of coaxing. Moreover, Shioda never fails to acknowledge his teacher Morihei Ueshiba and the fact that aikido evolved from the techniques of Daito-ryu aikijujutsu. In part seven of this series, Aikido Journal’s own editor-in-chief, Stanley Pranin, relates some of the highlights of Shioda’s fascinating career.