"Outside of a dog,
a book is a man's best friend.
Inside of a dog it's too dark to read."
~Groucho Marx~
I am an unashamed book hound. As many of my friends will tell you I read a lot (and some might say too much!)
For the past couple of decades I have been creating an increasingly diverse library that includes every decent book and video about martial arts I can dig up. I admittedly have more books than I have time to read and if I get a really good one I will get an extra copy ... “just in case” as most martial arts books are frequently out of print and hard to find (especially over here in Eastern Europe!)
Although Aikido and Aikijujutsu are my primary areas of personal study, and English my primary language, my library is pretty eclectic, and includes a wide range of relevant publications in several languages. I am also interested in Eastern Medicine and have begun to collect more and more about the healing arts, particularly Shiatsu and therapeutic Acupressure.
Along the way I have found several excellent books, a few gems that have literally changed my way of thinking and also a few dogs, which, if I didn’t have such a high regard for the inherent reverence of printed matter, would long ago have been relegated to the recycle bin.
Here you will find a list of several books from my library that I consider the all time greats that anyone interested in aikido or other martial arts ought to have. I may review a few of them if I have time. Also I will include a few training videos that I like, and I might even suggest a few to avoid. Check back again often as this list will continue to grow.
A tip: A great place to find good MA books now at good prices is the auction site www.ebay.com. I have often seen the classics there and even some very rare books from Japan that are hard to find. Another possibility is the online book store www.amazon.com.
Other places I found recently are:
Komonjo.com specialize in Japanese-language books on the Japanese Sword, rare and out-of-print Japanese books, and English-language books on Japanese history, culture, and literature.
Satcho.com Specialists in books related to the study & appreciation of the Japanese sword as art
Ricecracker.com Another excellent site for rare, and expensive, books
W.M.Hawley Classic author of sword reference books
CAD Press is a publisher of martial arts books in Czech and Slovak
Other good Bibliographies:
Stefan Stenudd’s Book List a good list of solid aikido books
Japanese Sword Arts FAQ Version 2.7 Bibliography a good list of solid aikido books
Furyu Koryu Books and Resources Winter 2002, V.10.6 a good list of solid traditional martial arts books
Aikido World Web Journal Book List
My Rating System
The books are rated as follows:
iiiii Must have, can be profitably reread many times, will rock your world, well written at a high level, author knows the subject and can write proficiently
iiii Excellent information to expand your knowledge, solid
iii Good reading with much pertinent information
ii Some good information, but incomplete or too shallow for serious self improvement, learning
I Silly, shallow, self-aggrandizing or just down right wrong. Avoid! Fly away!
Below are my all time favorites:
The deep and profound
The Way and the Power: Secrets of Japanese Strategy
Author: Fredrick J. Lovret
Paladin Press Book
ISBN 0-87364-409-3
A book of “Heiho” (Japanese strategy) based on principles from traditional Japanese martial arts. iiiii
Principles, Analysis, and Application of Effortless Combat Throws
Author: Tim Cartmell
Publisher: High View Pubns; (August 1998)
ISBN: 1883175062
Just about the best damn book on the theory and practice of throwing arts! Based on principles from Chinese martial arts but equally applicable to Japanese styles. iiiii
The Book of Five Rings
by Miyamoto Musashi, William Scott Wilson (Translator)
Hardcover: 160 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.63 x 7.80 x 5.56
Publisher: Kodansha International; 1st edition (June 15, 2002)
ISBN: 4770028016
Someone said a great book ages well like vintage wine. I return to this book again and again, always finding something new and never bored iiiii
The basics: “meat and potatoes”
Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere: An Illustrated Introduction
Author: Adele Westbrook, Oscar Ratti (Contributor)]
Publisher: Charles E Tuttle Co; (September 1994)
ISBN: 0804800049 iiiii
The “Joy of Cooking” of aikido. A great introduction to aikido and has a wide breadth of information. If you are a novice and looking for one book to give you a great deal of info about aikido, this is it.
Dynamic Aikido
Author: Gozo Shioda, Geoffrey Hamilton (Translator)
Paperback: Dimensions (in inches): 0.45 x 8.32 x 5.85
Publisher: Wehman Brothers; 2nd edition (October 1977)
ISBN: 0870113011 iiiii
Aikido
Author: Kisshomaru Ueshiba, et al; Paperback
Paperback: Dimensions (in inches): 0.68 x 9.92 x 7.19
Publisher: Japan Pubns; (February 1986)
ISBN: 0870406299 iiiii
Traditional Aikido, Vol. 1-6 Basic Techniques
Author: M. Saito
Out of print and used copies go for ridiculous prices but they are the definitive guide to Saito Sensei’s Iwama Ryu aikido style. Includes his sword and jo partner exercises and katas iiiii
Total Aikido: The Master Course
Author: Gozo Shioda, et al (Hardcover - February 1997)
Hardcover: 208 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.87 x 10.46 x 7.53
Publisher: Kodansha International; (February 1997)
ISBN: 4770020589 iiiii
The Spirit of Aikido
Author: Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Taitetsu Unno (Translator)
Paperback: Dimensions (in inches): 0.39 x 7.14 x 4.40
Publisher: Kodansha International; Reprint edition (March 1988)
ISBN: 0870118501 iiii
Relevant side roads
Budo: Teachings of the Founder of Aikido
Author: Morihei Ueshiba, Kisshomaru Ueshiba (Introduction) (Paperback - July 1996)
Paperback: Dimensions (in inches): 0.44 x 10.15 x 7.28
Publisher: Kodansha International; Reprint edition (July 1996)
ISBN: 4770020708 iiiii
Abundant Peace: The Biography of Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido
Author: John Stevens
Paperback: 129 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.50 x 11.00 x 8.50
Publisher: Shambhala Publications; (May 1987)
ASIN: 0877733503 iiii
Aikido and the Harmony of Nature
Author: Mitsugi Saotome (Paperback - November 1993)
Paperback: 251 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.80 x 11.02 x 8.53
Publisher: Shambhala Publications; (November 1993)
ISBN: 0877738556 iiii
Aikido Masters: conversations with pre-war students of Morihei Ueshiba
Author: Stanley Pranin Available from Aikido Journal iiii
Ki in Daily Life
Author: Koichi Tohei
Paperback: 136 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.25 x 10.25 x 7.25
Publisher: Japan Pubns; (October 1978)
ISBN: 0870404369 iii
The Art of Peace: Teachings of the Founder of Aikido (Shambhala Pocket Classics)
Author: Morihei Ueshiba, John Stevens (Editor) (Paperback - December 1992)
Paperback: 126 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.41 x 4.50 x 3.06
Publisher: Shambhala Publications; (December 1992)
ISBN: 0877738513 iiii
Autumn Lightning: The Education of an American Samurai
Author: Dave Lowry, et al; Paperback
Paperback: 192 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.62 x 8.99 x 5.97
Publisher: Shambhala Publications; Reprint edition (July 17, 2001)
ISBN: 1570621152 iiiii
Moving Toward Stillness: Lessons in Daily Life from the Martial Ways of Japan
Author: Dave Lowry; Paperback
Paperback: 176 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.57 x 9.00 x 6.01
Publisher: Charles E Tuttle Co; (February 2000)
ISBN: 0804831602 iiiii
Persimmon Wind
Author: Dave Lowry; Paperback
Paperback: 272 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.89 x 8.52 x 5.60
Publisher: Charles E Tuttle Co; (March 1998)
ISBN: 0804831424 iiiii
Sword and Brush: The Spirit of the Martial Arts
Author: Dave Lowry
Paperback: 119 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.43 x 9.01 x 6.00
Publisher: Shambhala Publications; (September 1995)
ISBN: 1570621128 iiiii
Traditions: Essays on the Japanese Martial Arts and Ways
Author: Dave Lowry
Paperback: 174 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.53 x 8.96 x 6.04
Publisher: Charles E Tuttle Co; 1st edition (October 2002)
ISBN: 0804834326 iiiii
Classical Fighting Arts of Japan: A Complete Guide to Koryu Jujutsu
Author: Serge Mol, Atsumi Nakashima, Fumon Tanaka
Hardcover: 208 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.97 x 10.45 x 7.47
Publisher: Kodansha International; (July 2001)
ISBN: 4770026196 iiii
Koryu Bujutsu: Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan
Author: Diane Skoss (Editor)
Paperback: 192 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.50 x 9.25 x 6.25
Publisher: Koryu Books; 1 edition (September 1997)
ISBN: 1890536040 iiiii
Sword & Spirit
Author: Diane Skoss (Editor)
Paperback: 192 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.50 x 9.25 x 6.25
Publisher: Koryu Books; 1 edition (February 11, 1999)
ISBN: 1890536059 iiii
Keiko Shokon: Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan (Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan, 3)
Author: Diane Skoss (Editor)
Paperback: 208 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.75 x 8.75 x 6.00
Publisher: Koryu Books; (September 2002)
ISBN: 1890536067 iiii
Classical Bujutsu (Martial Arts and Ways of Japan, V. 1.)
Author: Donn F. Draeger
Paperback: 112 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.25 x 10.00 x 7.00
Publisher: Weatherhill; Reissue edition (June 1996)
ISBN: 0834802333 iiiii
Classical Budo: The Martial Arts & Ways of Japan (Martial Arts & Ways of Japan Series , Vol 2)
Author: Donn F. Draeger
Paperback: 128 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.50 x 10.25 x 7.25
Publisher: Weatherhill; (April 1996)
ISBN: 0834802341 iiiii
Modern Bujutsu & Budo: The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan (Martial Arts and Ways of Japan, Vol 3)
Author: Donn F. Draeger, Donn F. Braeger
Paperback: 192 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.75 x 10.25 x 7.25
Publisher: Weatherhill; (March 1996)
ISBN: 0834803518 iiiii
Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts
Author: Donn F. Draeger, Robert W. Smith, Donn Drager
Paperback: Dimensions (in inches): 0.63 x 10.08 x 7.16
Publisher: Kodansha International; (January 1981)
ISBN: 0870114360 iiii
Japanese Swordsmanship: Technique and Practice
Author: Gordon Warner, Donn F. Draeger
Paperback: 312 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.75 x 10.25 x 7.25
Publisher: Weatherhill; (April 1982)
ISBN: 0834802368 iiii
Obscure but cool
Angry White Pyjamas : A Scrawny Oxford Poet Takes Lessons From The Tokyo Riot Police
Author: Robert Twigger (Author) (Paperback - April 2000)
Paperback: 320 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.76 x 8.02 x 5.33
Publisher: Quill; (April 2000)
ISBN: 0688175376
Absolutely hilarious! A contensious and critical book of aikido from a student of the rigorous Yoshikan Uchi Deshi program iiiii
Avoid
Nothing here yet but I will get around to after I get done telling you about the “good stuff”
Other than Aikido
Essential Anatomy: For Healing & Martial Arts
Author: Marc Tedeschi
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Weatherhill; (2001)
ISBN: 0834804433
A good introduction to eastern medical principles with great illustrations and very comprehensive text.iiii
Novels with Martial Arts
Hard Rain
Author: Barry Eisler
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Putnam Pub Group; (July 10, 2003)
ISBN: 0399150528
A wonderfully twisting story about a professional assassin working in between the worlds of the CIA, the Yakusa and the Japanese Police force. Written by an author with both experience in the MAs and Japanese culture. This is the second book in the John Rain Series. I unknowingly read them out of order, but I suggest to try “Rain Fall” first iiiii
Sensei: A Thriller
Author: John Donohue
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur; 1st edition (April 2003)
ISBN: 0312288123
A student of the classical martial arts in NYC becomes involved in finding a killer bent on destroying the top martial arts instructors that emigrated to the USA from Japan, including his own. iiiii
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