Yoshimitsu Yamada (–2022)

from dust jacket

Aikido is the workd's newest and most mysterious martial art, an incredible system of graceful movements combined with the ancient, deadly skills of Japan's most famous fighting arts. Aikido is an amazing skill which unlocks hidden powers of strength and condfidence in even the smallest person, young or old. It has grown from a small, secret society in the hills of the Japanese countryside into a worldwide movement whose popularity has soared in th past few years.

Finally, this definitive manual by Yoshimitsu Yamada, one of the world's greatest masters, will make these long-held secrets of self-defense and inner power avaliable to the public. More than 700 detailed photographs by Nobu Arakawa show with precision and clarity each nuance of motion, while Yamada's detailed text will inspire the most advanced student as well as the novice. The book covers every aspect of Aikido, from the development of 'breath power' to practical applications against multiple attacks and weaponss.

Yoshimitsu Yamada studied directly under the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, for over ten years. He taught at Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo and brought Aikido to the United States at the 1964 World's Fair in New York. He has developed the largest and most successful aikido school in the country, the New York Aikikai, which also serves as headquarters for the United States Aikido Federation. He serves as Chairman of the Board and Technical Director of the USAF and is a member of the superior Council of the International Aikido Federation. He presently holds the rank of 7th degree Black Belt.

Contents

Foreword
About Morihei Ueshiba: The Founder of Aikido
The Nature of Aikido
Principles of movement
Etiquette-Proper sitting (seiza); Proper Bowing (Rei)
Wrist Warm-ups
Stance & Distance (Hanmi & Maai)
Falling (Ukemi)-Back Roll; Front Roll
Basic Movements-Irimi; Tenkan; Back Stretch
Kokyu-ho-Sitting Kokyu-ho; Standing Kokyku-ho
Hand Positions
Basic Irimi Nage
Knee-walking (Shikko)
Attacks & Techniques
Atemi Waza
Shomenuchi
Yokomenuchi
Tsuki
Ryotetori
Morotetori
Katatori
Katatori Menuchi
Ushiro Ryokatatori
Ushiro Tekubitori
Ushiro Kubishime
Suwari Waza
Hanmi Handachi
Advanced Techniques
Techniques Against Weapons
Action Photos
Conclusion
The International Aikido Community & Dojo Listings
International ALikido Federation
United States Aikido Federation
Glossary
USAF Promotional Test Requirements… (mehr)

from dust jacket Ours is a time when violence seems to be on the increase. The newspapers and televison screens are peppered with acoounts of brutal slayings, holdups, muggings and attacks on the innocent. The experts tell us that we are in the midst of the greatest wave of crime-in-the-streets in American history. The book you hold in your hancs may well be youdr answer to the problem. For Aikido is a new Japanese martial art that combines the best of all the other martial arts. Ailkido tends to overcome differences in size and strength. The man or woman who possesses the skill taught in this book gains tremendous self-conficence and the ability to walk without fear. More, it instills a remarkable inner harmony-for Aikido is more than a way of dealing with an att acker-it is a way of life. Aikido techniques are truly amazing. They have to be seen to be believed. The publisher of this book once watched the author defend himself against a violent and totally unrehearsed attack by four students simutaneously. with speed and grace but with what appeared to be a minimum expense of energy and movement Professor Yamada all but destroyed the four attackers and after a few minutes, they retired, bloody and dazed. Aikido employs circular rather than linear movements, and one uses the opponent's own force and momentum to overcome him. The aikido expert 'leads' his opponent's power and mind. There is no contest of brute force with Aikido: its effects are so natural that the attacker hurts only himself with his aggressiveness and the person pracitcing Aikido is always totally relaxed and in control. mentally and physically. This book is the definitive book on Aikido. The step-by-step directions are clearly and carefully illustrated with the photographs by Alexander Langfelder. Aikido Complete is written by a true master of the art and one who has devoted most of his life to its study and practice. It is clear and it is complete. And it is the closest thing to learning Aikido in person from Professor Yamada in the New York Aikikai. We hope tyat you, the reader, will enjoy, learn and benefit by this remarkable course, as so many hundreds of Aikido students have benefited by Yoshimitsu Yamads's first-hand training. Contents Preface, Forewordd The Art of Aikido-The founder of Aikido; The techniques; Concentration on the one-point; Understanding and control fo the Ki Demonstration and Explanation of the Techniques and Philosophy of Aikido-How to fall; The Shiho-nage technique; The Ikkyo technique; The Nikkyo technique; The Sankyo Technique; The Kotegaeshi technique; The Kokyu-nage technique; The Koshi-Nage technique; Nage-Wasa (throwing) techniques; Aikido techniques against knife attacks Conclusion… (mehr)