Progressive
Aikido The Essential Elements Moriteru Ueshiba
Hardcover 196 pages
190 x 260mm 800g ISBN : 4-7700-2172-0 Publish : Jan, 2006 Price : $35.00
When I started practicing Aikido in 1980 there wasn't much progressive
about it. We began, a class full of absolute beginners, by doing the
same techniques our visiting instructor's largely black belt class was
doing. This worked out not so badly since we were all young, fit
University students who could "fly and survive" the training. It
certainly gave us an appreciation of the complexity and subtlety of a
martial art. We couldn't afford any such conceits as "knowing the right
way to do it". From the very start we were aware of at least 6 ways to
do each technique since first, sensei showed us at least 8 ways, and
second, we managed to invent about four more on top of that. No seniors
remember, just watch and try. You won't find many of that first class
out there telling people the right and wrong way to breath or to twist
someone's wrist.
Eventually though, one did begin to yearn for a bit of simplicity, a
chance to simply practice one small movement over and over until it was
perfect.
This book, as the title implies, has a slightly different viewpoint
than "throw them in and see who floats". It is an attempt to organize
the various skills of Aikikai Aikido into a coherent educational
pattern. One starts with a simple skill and then builds on that skill,
slowly working up through more and more complexity until the art is
learned.
Does it succeed? I think so. The book is presented in much the same way
that our dojo eventually ended up teaching our own beginners, and as
such, is a very good book for instructors to own. Not only will it give
an outline of the essential elements that ought to be taught, but it
presents them in a progressive system that can be adapted to a set of
classes of, say, 6 months or a year, which will bring students along
efficiently and safely. So the book is well named.
Can someone who wants to learn Aikido pick the book up and get
something out of it? Frankly, I don't know. I can't know since I'm
familiar with all the techniques and skills presented, and taught them
myself for several years. I would have no idea if a beginner could
learn katate tori kote gaeshi from reading and looking at the photos.
My brain fills in the spaces and my body feels the technique as I read.
But that isn't really relevent. There are enough people practicing
Aikido that this book will sell quite well without the mildly curious
buying it and trying it out in the back yard.
Should they buy and try? I suppose it won't hurt, the book will be most
useful for those who are, or want to practice since it's about 90
percent text and photos presenting technique. There is very little in
the way of any other writing for the idle browser. But as usual in
books like this, for the long time student of Aikido the good stuff is
in the introduction from page 12 to 19... and as usual I suspect most
will simply skip to the pictures. Do yourself a favour and go down to
the local bookstore, pick it up and read it. It's short, it's worth it.
Not to reveal my age, but it was rather a shock to see Moriteru Ueshiba
looking positively grown up, I last saw him in person about 20 years
ago I guess. The book feels like I'm talking to a long-time friend
rather than a set of pronouncements from on high. Again, I suspect my
impression might be different from a beginner who will be terribly
aware that Moriteru is the grandson of the founder, Morihei Ueshiba
O-Sensei. No matter, however you read the book, the information is
solid, reliable and functional. John Stevens, the translator, has done
an excellent job. There is no awkwardness in the language and it is a
very easy read.
Has Aikido changed since I was a lad hitting the mat for the first
time? I was very surprised to find that it has not, not in theory and
not in practice. I could have used this book a quarter of a century
ago, it would have helped a lot both in my learning and in my teaching.
And that is saying a lot. A highly recommended buy for any student of
aikikai aikido.
