Aikido: The Tomiki Way Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Neil Saunders has created a very valuable resource for students of Tomiki Aikido. As a Shodan in Tomiki Aikido who no longer regularly practices the style (I've shifted to traditional Aikido to "expand my horizons"), this book is a great reference guide when I want to practice "the good stuff".
In addition to the basics of technique/terminology/breakfalls/history of Aikido, Sensei Saunders comprehensivelty takes the reader through each of the major katas associated with Tomiki Aikido. The photos are plentiful, and effectively outline each and every technique step-by-step in a way that has not been done before in any other Tomiki Aikido book to date. However, it is interesting to note that several of the techniques Sensei Saunders presents in these katas, although technically correct, are not the versions of these techniques associated with the Aikido that Kenji Tomiki originally taught. The techniques are not wrong, just different, modern versions. Something to keep in mind.
On a side note, although I agree with the poor production values that KHPatton has described about Sensei Higashi's book, I can assure you that not only is Sensei Higashi's ability the real deal (Yes I've been on the receiving end of them), the techniques descibed in his book are actually closer to the original style that Kenji Tomiki taught. Modern Tomiki/Shodokan Aikido has actually left behind some of its Judo roots and embraced some of the more flowing styles of traditional Aikido. Sensei Higashi's book is a reminder of where Tomiki Aikido originated, and that there is often little need to change.
I disagree, however, with KHPatton's assessment of Sensei Narayama's Aikido: Tradition and New Tomiki Free Fighting Method book. Although the photos in Neil Saunders' book are far superior, Sensei Narayama (the current global head of Tomiki/Aikido) has a very clear precise and POWERFUL technique, and his book is written in a very direct, honest prose. The photos of Sensei Narayama in this book demonstrate how Tomiki/Shodokan Aikido allows you to put a lot of direct power into the techniques when they are correctly applied. Although they are not pretty, they are very effective. And yes, I've been on the receiving end of his techniques as well at seminars.
A third book I would recommend would be Dr Lee Ah Loi's Tomiki Aikido (Randori and Koryu no Kata). The photos in this book are not very good, missing a lot in the transitions between techniques. However, Dr Loi outlines the techniques for all of the Koryu no Katas, and presents a traditional, but softer, style of Tomiki Aikido, and proves that women can effectively execute this style of Aikido as well as larger, muscular men like Higashi and Narayama.
In short, I highly recommend Neil Saunders book. It should be considered an essential reference for the modern Tomiki Aikido student. However, it is important to remember that it mostly presents the style of modern Tomiki Aikido that has been influenced somewhat by Ueshiba's traditional style. Saunders even wears a Hakama throughout the book - a big no-no among most Tomiki Aikido practitioners. This book should therefore be supplemented with the other books mentioned above, as they represent both original form and modern variations of this very, very underrated style of Aikido.


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