Aikido in America (Io, No. 52.)

Rating:
Summary: A refreshingly different kind of book on Aikido
Review: In the Preface to this book, authors John Stone and Ron Meyer note that "[m]ost of us who study aikido have or have had Japanese teachers, and we owe them an unpayable debt. They remain the exemplars of aikido. But for this book, we were primarily interested in how Americans have responded to, changed and expanded aikido". Thus begins an interesting book that pretty much achieves its objectives - to present Aikido from the American perspective, without losing sight of Aikido's Japanese origins.

The book is made up of first person narratives from a number of senior American Aikido practitioners. This format works well, particularly when coupled with the earthy uncensored candor expressed by some of the contributors! The narratives are grouped to reflect the point at which these Aikidoists entered the Aikido universe, from those who first practiced in Japan, to the second generation of practitioners who are also teaching aspects of Aikido off the mat in new and exciting ways. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of contributions from senior female practitioners, thus acknowledging the wonderful diversity of Aikido and Aikidoists in the United States.

I found this book to be humorous, informative and well written, and I believe it would make a great addition to any Aikidoist's library. The book is as much a history of Aikido in the United States as it is a philosophical treatise that is tongue-in-cheek at appropriate junctures. It is a nice contrast to the technical manuals out there, and it should appeal to the seasoned practitioner and beginner alike.

If the essays presented within this book are anything to go by, Aikido is indeed big enough to include both Japanese and non-Japanese perspective and philosophy, and to evolve accordingly.

I look forward to future works from these authors.

Rating:
Summary: A refreshingly different kind of book on Aikido
Review: In the Preface to this book, authors John Stone and Ron Meyer note that "[m]ost of us who study aikido have or have had Japanese teachers, and we owe them an unpayable debt. They remain the exemplars of aikido. But for this book, we were primarily interested in how Americans have responded to, changed and expanded aikido". Thus begins an interesting book that pretty much achieves its objectives - to present Aikido from the American perspective, without losing sight of Aikido's Japanese origins.

The book is made up of first person narratives from a number of senior American Aikido practitioners. This format works well, particularly when coupled with the earthy uncensored candor expressed by some of the contributors! The narratives are grouped to reflect the point at which these Aikidoists entered the Aikido universe, from those who first practiced in Japan, to the second generation of practitioners who are also teaching aspects of Aikido off the mat in new and exciting ways. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of contributions from senior female practitioners, thus acknowledging the wonderful diversity of Aikido and Aikidoists in the United States.

I found this book to be humorous, informative and well written, and I believe it would make a great addition to any Aikidoist's library. The book is as much a history of Aikido in the United States as it is a philosophical treatise that is tongue-in-cheek at appropriate junctures. It is a nice contrast to the technical manuals out there, and it should appeal to the seasoned practitioner and beginner alike.

If the essays presented within this book are anything to go by, Aikido is indeed big enough to include both Japanese and non-Japanese perspective and philosophy, and to evolve accordingly.

I look forward to future works from these authors.