Best Aikido: The Fundamentals

by Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Moriteru Ueshiba

At last, the complete and authoritative introduction to all the fundamentals of Aikido, coauthored by the two direct successors to the Founder of the martial art, Morihei Ueshiba. Coauthors Kisshomaru Ueshiba and Moriteru Ueshiba, son and grandson of the Founder, seek to carry on his legacy and to share with the millions of men and women around the world practicing Aikido today the most important techniques and principles of the art.
This book is the quintessential training aid for all Aikido practitioners-whether beginning or advanced-who wish to further their understanding of the forms and spirit of Aikido.
Underlying the forms, or physical techniques, are the spiritual principles of Aikido, which are based on the notion of ki, or "life force." Ki is the fundamental element to understanding Aikido. But as the authors explain, it cannot be learned merely by watching a demonstration or reading a book. Rather, one must come to experience it through practice, in unifying body and mind.
Best Aikido helps guide the practitioner to this goal. It offers step-by-step instruction that will complement knowledge learned in the dojo. The text is illustrated with a wealth of never-before-seen photographs that feature Aikido master Moriteru Ueshiba demonstrating the fundamental techniques of the art.
Best Aikido is authorized by the Aikikai Foundation, the central organization set up by Morihei Ueshiba.

Genres: Martial Arts

192 pages, Hardcover

First published July 26, 2002

About the author

植芝吉祥丸

Reviews

[Ella あいみ M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and easy to understand. Great book!
I loved reading this when I was younger. It always made me want to practice on someone, but unfortunately my brothers didn't appreciate the great opportunity and honor it was to be my test subjects. 😁

[Nicolas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover description "The text is illustrated with a wealth of ... photographs ..." is kind of an understatement. This is more a collection of technical photographs with some basic text attached than a book "illustrated with photographs".

While I think that the photographs are extremely good and therefore this book is a great reference manual to look up after training to consider if you might need to change something with the basic descriptions reading the book for its own sake is not really worth it.

Showing a picture of tori raising his arms and then adding a description "tori raises his arms" doesn't really provide a lot of additional information. There are a few good good hints and details there thought.

So as a summary: Extremely good reference manual, but not really worth reading on its own.

[Andreas Michaelides · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful books for beginners as myself and I use it often as a reference,. IT is well organised the pictures are clear enough and the descriptions of the techniques are detailed. All the techniques are illustrated with the hakama which for a newbie like me would be better if it was not so I could see the footing of the exercises.
Overall was easy to follow, understand and remember. The names of the techniques are presented in a clear method and finally an index would be nice.

[Enkai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book completely through at least 3 times and use it often as reference. This book is very clear and easy to understand, as well as well organized. The only thing I would want more would be an index.

[Supe]

Completely technique, but it's from the founder's grandson

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent book, but the current Doshu, is the finest reference book available for the beginning aikidoist.