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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
overview of daito -ryu in context of modern aikido training, 30 Sep 1999
By A Customer
THERE IS NO doubt that a convenient memory gap exists in the commonly acknowledged ancestry of the relatively modern art of Aikido. Many Aikido students do not feel comfortable with the raw violence of the forbearer of their art and would prefer to imagine that O Sensei developed Aikido out of nothing but his own depth of understanding of the universe.Published by Kodansha International, 'The Hidden Roots of Aikido - Aiki Jujutsu Daitoryu' by Shiro Omiya, is presented as an attempt to fill this imbalance, and, one dares speculate, at the same time promote the ancient and dynamic method of hand-to-hand combat on the back of Aikido's international popularity. The role of the then head of Daitoryu, Sokaku Takeda (1860-1943), as one of the principle martial influences on Moreihei Ueshiba is clearly outlined in this recently published title, as is the originate origin of many of the now recognisable Aikido techniques back to the 8th Century AD. An interesting aspect of this little-known martial art is the three levels, or approaches, to technique. The first, referred to as Daitoryu Jujutsu, depends primarily on atemi (strikes and kicks to pressure points), and is being geared towards the younger, more vigorous practitioners. The second, Daitoryu Aiki no Jujutsu, is suitable for older practitioners and combines both atemi and 'Aiki timing'. Finally, the third level (Daitoryu Aiki no Jutsu) relies mainly on timing, and, in essence, approaches the fundamentally creative aspiration of basic Aikido practice. The largest section of this book is devoted to photo-illustrations (800 in total) of numerous techniques. Most Aikido students would recognise the vast majority of the techniques illustrated within the 208 pages, other than the occasional un-Aikido-like 'finishing' off of the 'uke'. It is, nevertheless, interesting to be reminded how little the art has actually changed to create the softer form recognised as modern Aikido. There is no doubt that if we are to ever know where we are going in our practise - firstly we need to know where we are coming from. For those of us who have chosen to study the way of Aikido, this publication offers us one of the pieces of the jig-saw of our past. Reviewed by: B.Dowling,-Irish Aikido Association.
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by Joe Hyams
by Gozo Shioda
by Sam Murphy
by Gaku Homma
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