Best Aikido- The Fundamentals (Illustrated Japanese Classics) Description:

Best Aikido: The Fundamentals (Illustrated Japanese Classics) review:
5 stars (Easy to understand) - I have read several aikido books that demonstrate visually, proper aikido techniques. This is the first book I have read that was easy to follow, easy to understand and easy to remember. Although it was easy in all these areas, it wasn't at all lacking. The information in this book is "must have" for any beginning aikido practitioner.
5 stars (Best Book on the Basics of Aikido) - I have 4 other titles on Aikido and have browsed through quite a few others. I must say this is by far the best on the basics of Aikido. The pictures are reasonably clear and the descriptions are reasonably detailed. However, I would have liked all the techniques executed (and pictures taken) without the hakama on so that the readers can have a good look at the footwork as well.
4 stars (The Fundamentals, from the second Doshu) - _Best Aikido_ is a fine translation of the original Japanese textbook by the noted scholar of Buddhism and aikido, Dr John Stevens._Best Aikido_ could probably be considered one of the essential cornerstones of an aikido practitioners library. It contains waza patterns for all of the fundamentals of aikido techniques: the major pins (including gokyo) and throwing techniques (excluding koshi-nage) from basic attacks. Helpfully, omotoe and ura variations are included. _Best Aikido 2_ covers more intensive and advanced practice, including weapons disarming, multiple attacks, and more intricate applications of the fundamentals.This book will not teach you aikido. No book can teach you aikido. IMO, aikido can only be learned as fostered in the environment that O-sensei developed in his sublime martial arts pedagogy. Aikido is learned through regular practice, in a dojo, in partnered co-operation with a variety of people, of various shapes and sizes._Best Aikido_ is meant to be a supplementary resource textbook, to be consulted after class or in preparation for exams. As prepared by the second Doshu (gaurdian of the Way), O-Sensei's son, the terminology and techniques in this book are compatible with Aikikai Aikido.The introductory Q&A section is helpful, interesting, but is the only presence of philosophical discussion in this book. _Best Aikido_ is a direct presentation of the techniques, with only a limited amount of commentary. There are only a few helpful 'close-up' pictures, unfortunately, which give practical examination of the various grips and positions necessary for good aikido. While, again I must say, I don't think these things can be taught except through direct experience, I think yoshinkan grandmaster Shioda-sensei in _Aikido: The Master Course_ gives excellent photographic examination of the finer details, from a variety of angles, various techniques. I especially like his 'common mistakes' section, which gives exceedingly useful corrections for mistakes almost all beginners make.The only weakness, and it shouldn't deter an aikikai practitioner from buying these books, are the grainy and distant B&W photography, with awkward 'freeze frame' moments. This is only meant to be a consultative textbook, so the student really should be able to fill in the rest of the movements through personal practice. However, I still did find moments where more intimate detailing might have helped. The third Doshu, who authored _Best Aikido 2_ - the companion to this book - has written excellent books in Japanese with extensive close-up photography, in colour. None of these books have been translated into English, but, if you can't read Japanese, the pictures are still useful for reference.This is an important work for personal consultation. It will be of good service for study after classes. As a manual for Aikikai Aikido, this book, and its companion volume, provide all of the essential waza necessary for examinations and dojo practice.The best books on aikido are still, of course, in Japanese. This is one of the better books to cross over into English. As a 2 vol. set, consider it a primary encyclopaedia of the repetoire of aikido kata/waza.