Aikido Technique Videos and Self Defense Training

Click here to view the exciting video preview clip of the new DVD by Morihiro Saito Sensei!

We have recently released a new DVD featuring an Aikido legend, Morihiro Saito Sensei, one of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba’s closest disciples. This exceptional DVD presents never-before-seen footage of Saito Sensei as he appeared in 1989 while teaching a seminar in San Diego, California. With the release of each DVD of the “Lost Seminars” series, the body of technical information on Saito Sensei’s teaching methodology grows to the benefit of practitioners everywhere. With a runtime of 127 minutes, this DVD includes scores of techniques from ryotedori, shomenuchi, and morotedori attacks. Saito Sensei also gives a detailed presentation of nikyo techniques and seldom-taught releases from a variety of ushiro holds. Complete English subtitles have been provided to enable viewers to follow in detail Saito Sensei’s instruction.

We are pleased to bring readers’ attention to the newly published interview with Menkyo Kaiden Toby Threadgill Sensei of Takamura ha Shindo Yoshin ryu. His is an unusual and fascinating story you won’t want to miss reading! There are tremendous insights to glean concerning traditional Japanese martial arts that will aid in the understanding of the cultural and martial roots from which aikido emerged.

Most modern martial arts that had links to classical weapons study either discarded them altogether or relegated them to secondary status. For example, Aikido’s founder, Morihei Ueshiba, frequently demonstrated the art’s technical connection to weapons study, but in the greater aikido community these studies eventually took on a supporting role. Recently there has been a movement by some aikido groups to introduce classical weapons training alongside aikido in an effort to more thoroughly investigate the relationship between bukiwaza and taijutsu. TSYR is one of several models aikidoka can investigate that represent an undiluted example of this integration

The interview below with Hiroaki Kogure Sensei one of the leading exponents of Tomiki Aikido 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 think, in fact, that there are two ways in which we use kata techniques. the first is in set groups for demonstration, and the second way uses the same techniques in condensed and abbreviated patterns derived from competition, in form of free practice. there is also another form, randori. Tomiki Sensei always conducted kata style free practice with, of course, randori style movement in mind. from this period, Tomiki Sensei began conducting various experiments such as putting on protective gear, or executing techniques against karate practitioners, boxers, or Sumo wrestlers.

One of the least known of the major Japanese aikido teachers who was highly regarded by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba is Kanshu Sunadomari Sensei of Kumamoto, Kyushu. He is a devout believer in the Omoto religion and has a large aikido organization centered in Kyushu. Sunadomari Sensei elicited an enthusiastic response for his performance in the 1st Aikido Friendship Demonstration held in 1985 in Tokyo.

Available in our film archives is a fascinating video clip of all of the six instructors—Yasuo Kobayashi, Mitsugi Saotome, Kanshu Sundadomari, Yoshio Kuroiwa, Shoji Nishio and Morihiro Saito—from that demonstration that will give you an idea of Sunadomari Sensei’s movements and techniques.

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.

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 think that there is definitely some “food for thought” here for the leaders of the Aikido world in the sense that Aikido has followed a course similar to that of Judo with regard to its propagation abroad. Aikido was spread beyond the shores of its birthplace first by Koichi Tohei who traveled to Hawaii in 1953 where he spent several years followed by a succession of uchi-deshi from Hombu Dojo including Hiroshi Tada, Nobuyoshi Tamura, Yoshimitsu Yamada, Mitsunari Kanai, Kazuo Chiba, Katsuaki Asai, Seiichi Sugano and a number of others. The art grew in a more or less orderly fashion over the years until the fratricidal split witch occurred in 1974 when Chief Instructor, Koichi Tohei Sensei, formally resigned from Hombu Dojo citing irreconcilable differences in teaching methodology as the reason for the severance of ties. It was shortly thereafter in 1976 that Hombu Dojo felt it imperative to solidify its position in the Aikido world after the above-alluded-to cleavage. Thus, the first tentative steps were made to establish an international body to insure the orderly propagation of the art, promote communications, standardize dan promotions, etc., the assumption naturally being that these desirable goals could not otherwise be attained.

“The Nakano School provided a rigorous introduction to the life of an agent. Extended courses were provided on a wide variety of topics including languages, philosophy, history, current events, martial arts, propaganda, counter intelligence and the facets of covert action. On graduation, some agents remained in Japan to monitor subversion, although more commonly they were sent overseas to infiltrate established institutions. Agents often posed as “immigrants, students or businessmen”. (11) They gathered information and acted as intermediaries, usually operating through the integrated Japanese network of the consular service network, banks, industrial houses, shipping companies or the commercial bodies such as the South Seas Development Company. They worked closely with the Kempeitai, the notorious Japanese military police, and in many cases the roles of the agents and the Kempeitai dovetailed to the extent that programs were indistinguishable. The agents often arranged themselves into special service agencies or kikans that were involved in undercover intelligence work, including espionage, propaganda and subversion, fifth column activities, internal security and pacification of the native populations.”

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.

We would like to remind you of the availability of a special set consisting of a book (Takemusu Aikido Special Edition) and DVD (Budo) by Morihiro Saito Sensei, that presents in great detail the famous 1938 technical manual titled Budo of O-Sensei. By purchasing the book and DVD on Budo together, you will realize a savings of 20% off the retail price of these companion products purchased separately.

Saito Sensei does a masterful job of demonstrating and explaining all of the techniques of Budo in his book and DVD that comprise this Special Set.

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.

Thus, at the age of 27, he went away to lonesome Takakura Mountain where he shut himself up in a rock cave for a prolonged fast. After seven days he received a revelation that he had reached the state of “feeling and meeting the Holy Spirit”, and he returned home. On so doing, however, he fell into a paralized condition and was completely unable to move for several days. When he woke up he found that he suddenly had a tremendous spiritual ability.

The following text is excerpted from a discussion in progress on the Aikido Journal Forums:

“I think humans out-think themselves to the point of confusion as a rule. We are so disconnected from reality that we live in a physical amusement park and philosophize about place and purpose as a pastime like the romanticized, starving artists seeking overdoses of drama so that we feel something with our numbing senses.