We would like to bring to your attention that we have republished the authoritative work by Katsuyuki Kondo, Menkyo Kaiden, titled Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Hiden Mokuroku.
This is the first book in English to introduce the technical curriculum of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu as originally taught by Sokaku Takeda. It contains the 31 techniques of the ikkajo series of the Hiden Mokuroku, the first level of study in Daito-ryu.
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.
About that time the Founder secretly traveled to the continent accompanied by his student Mr. Tsutomu Yukawa in compliance with the wishes of Lord Fumimaro Konoe and others. They were to be part of the process of laying the groundwork for peace negotiations with China. The reason for this attempt at peacemaking was that Japan was going to be forced to divide its war potential due to the entry of the United States Into the war. The miltiary suddenly decided to seek to conclude a peace with Chiang Kai-shek in order to withdraw from the fighting on the continent. Probes were made and groundwork laid through all possible routes. The Founder took part in these efforts and journeyed to China. Those in power were hoping to use his broad range of friends and acquaintances towards this end.
I just saw in the news that the latest trends in the US are not Tupperware parties, but Taser parties for the ladies. They even come in pink and they get to conduct controlled “tests” on their husband. (We all know whose going to be washing the dishes from now on.)
The salesman kept pushing the “self defence” attributes of the gadget.
Without doubt, one of the finest reference sources on Aikido technique is the six-volume series titled Takemusu Aikido authored by Morihiro Saito, 9th dan, in the last decade of his life. We are now, for the first time, offering a 20% discount to customers who purchase the entire set. Save on postage too!
The Takemusu Aikido series contain hundreds of techniques that encapsulize the teachings of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba in Iwama in the years following World War II. These wonderful reference manuals feature thousands of technical photos including historical shots of O-Sensei and Saito Sensei.
I have been asked by Mr. Tommaso Leonetti to publish this surprising letter that outlines his initial involvement in Daito-ryu aikijujutsu and his role in leading a discussion questioning the credentials and claims of Katsuyuki Kondo Sensei. Mr. Leonetti further explains how later he discovered incontrovertible evidence that Kondo Sensei’s claims were, after all, true and that Mr. Leonetti had unknowingly mislead many practitioners of the art with his writings and conclusions.
Since I was intimately involved in the events in question and have already commented on various points, I will refrain from expressing an opinion here. Mr. Leonetti is Italian but writes in English very well so only minor edits have been made for clarity.
“Two years ago I was asked to be a substitute teacher for an evening class. The students who came to class were a challenging group. One was in her late 60’s had limited falling and rolling skills. Another had injuries and could not roll or fall at all. Still another was recovering from an injury. Others had on and off again nagging problems with their bodies. While bowing in, I realized I could not teach the class as I had planned. This would mean I could not teach any technique that would involve a roll or fall, even a sit-fall.”
Brian Kagen is an avid web researcher with a particular interest in martial arts. His training background includes both judo and aikido. He has contributed hundreds of article links over the years for AJ readers.
The only book authored by Shoji Nishio Sensei, one of the most important instructors of the postwar era, Yurusu Budo, is one of the best-selling titles in our Aiki Store. In fact, we have had trouble keeping it in stock because each shipment seems to be gobbled up by customers faster than anticipated.
We would also like to bring to your attention that you may purchase all three of Nishio Sensei’s DVDs together with the Yurusu Aikido book as a set at a 25% discount. We have posted a series of 10 screen shots from this set to give you an idea of the outstanding quality and contents of these DVDs.
“Ki wo Kubaru” is often translated as “to pass out ki” or “to give ki.” Another way to say it is to be attentive to other people’s wishes or needs. This seems to apply well to Aikido and to life.
Ukes tell you what they want and where they wish to go. We just need to listen and get out of the way. Funny how everything keeps coming back to the other person and not fighting, dissenting, arguing, etc. I thought this was a martial art after all. If I want to throw somebody I have to bend them to my will, if my Ki is strong I can make them do what I want and complete the throw,etc. If the throw doesn’t work I must be doing something wrong, or it is impractical, a teaching tool not a real art for throwing people. Man, did I really believe this, I had to learn this lesson over and over again.
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.
He sold all his possessions in Tanabe including his house and land and with his wife, Hatsu, moved to Ayabe. He built a home on the outskirts of the city of Hongu and called on Deguchi at the Omoto Headquarters everyday. At that time, Ueshiba was strongly attracted by the personality of Deguchi and deeply respected him as a spiritual guide. He became a personal follower.
