Books and Videos

Suggested Reading

  • Morihei Ueshiba, Budo (the teachings of the founder)
  • Kisshomaru Ueshiba, The Spirit of Aikido
  • Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Aikido
  • Compiled by John Stevens, The essence of Aikido: the Spiritual teachings of Morihei Ueshiba
  • A. Westbrook and O. Ratti, Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere
  • Koichi Tohei, Aikido with Ki
  • Koichi Tohei, Ki in Daily Life
  • Koichi Tohei, Ki Coordinating Mind and Body
  • Richard Heckler, Aikido and the New Warrior
  • Richard Heckler, In Search of the Warrior Spirit
  • George Leonard, The Silent Pulse
  • George Leonard, The Transformation
  • Aikido Today magazine.
  • Miyomoto Mushashi, The Book of Five Rings
  • Dan Millman, Way of the Peaceful Warrior
  • Taisen Deshimaru, The Zen Way to the Martial Arts

Good bookstores for Aikido books include:

Videos

AKI members can ask to loan or copy (where copyright allows) of old AKI DVDs & videos. Ask your sensei about them. They include:

  • Takeda Sensei & O'Sensei: O'Sensei in the 1960s & Takeda Sensei in the 1980s.
  • Yamaguchi Sensei at Meiji University in the 1980s.
  • Yamaguchi Sensei in Memoriam Exhibition by various senseis in Yamaguchi Sensei's memory. Includes Takeda Sensei, Dojocho, Bob Gibbon, and lots of others.
  • International Friendship Aikido Gasshuku 1-4 April 1994, Canberra Easter Camp. Includes demonstration by and interview with Takeda Sensei.
  • Easter Camp 1996, Canberra Numata Sensei, 6th Dan, lead the camp.
  • Ishii Sensei, Turner Dojo, 1999. Ishii Sensei's clear instruction and detail captured by Drago Zovak
  • Aikido at old Weston Dojo, Circa 1997. Nigel Carruthers-Taylor instructing. Owner: Nigel Carruthers-Taylor
  • Samurai Aikijutsu: Features Daitoryu Aikijutsu - the predecessor to Aikido. Toshihiro Obata instructs and demonstrates the techniques of Aikijutsu & Tameshigiri (live blade test cutting). Owner: Nigel Carruthers-Taylor
  • The Magic of Conflict: Ki Society Sensei, Thomas Crumb, demonstrates Ki concepts and how to handle conflicts. Circa 1970s. Owner: Nigel Carruthers-Taylor