Gozo Shioda (1915–1994)

Yoshinkan aikido is one of the most effective forms of aikido with the shortest learning curve. Still some of the knee-bend stances leave it wide open for a kick to dislocate or break the knee. Keeping this in check, though, I would recommend this book as a very basic primer...also recommended is his follow-up Total Aikido.

The conprehensive autobiography of the legendary aikiido grandmaster, Gozo Shioda, the founder of the Yoshinkan Aikido.

In the book Gozo Shioda, one of the most influential figures in the history of aikido, traces in his own words his dramatic and fascinating life story. From his origins as a young boy inspired by his father to pursue aikido, the author shares with the reader his life's journey, which he devoted to this martial art. Among his many moving anecdotes, the author writes fondly of show more his memories of aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba, whom he met as a junior high school student student, and imparts the wealth of knowledge he inherited from this ledendary master as his pupil.

The author recounts the importance of his rigorous daily training in aikido, and how this training afforded him invaluable lessons in how to conduct his life, both physically and spiritually. He also shares with the reader many interesting episodes with prominent martial artists and sportsmen whom he met throughout his illustrious career in aikido.

Drawing on his vast experience, the author writes about the spirit of aikido, and addresses common misunderstandings held by some regarding the martial arts, emphasizing the that the true path of aikidio is one of peace and harmony that should never tolerate aggression. Throughout these pages the author impresses upon the reader the importance of the basics of aikido, including breath power, focused power, and the power of the center line.

This book also contains around thirty rare photos of the author, chronicling his fascinating life in aikido. Including an Afterword written by Yasuhisa Shioda, the author's son, who has himself earned the title of Soke (grand master) and is currently the president of the Yoshinkan Aikido, this book offers the reader a unique insight into the life and experiences of one of aikido's most distnguished masters.

Gozo Shioda was born in Tokyo in 1915. He became an outstanding student of Morihei Ueshiba, the Founder of Aikido. In 1954 he entered the All Japan Martial Arts Exhibition, and won first prize. Holder of the ninth-rank black belt, he founded the Yoshinkan Aikido. In 1988 he was awarded the title of Aikido Meijin (Master) by the International Martial Arts Federation. He was also chief instructor for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, the Air Self-defense force, the Japanese National Railways, Sophia University, Meiji Gakuin University, and Takushoku University, his alma mater. He passed away in 1994.

Yosuhisa Shioda was born in 1952 in Tokyo, the son of Gozo Shioda. Training under his father, he worked to promote aikido, teaching university students, police, and buisiness groups. In 1984 he went to Britain, where he taught aikido for three years, laying a foundation for the development of aikido in that counry. In 2007, he became Soke (grand master) and the kancho (president) of the Yoshinkan Aikido.

Contents

Preface
Chapter 1 Yoshinkan aiido
The basics of Yoshinkan training
The development of real ability is not decided in a competition
Akido is a martial art of harmony
The drunk who fell into the pond
A karate teacher's challenge
The occupanton soldiers' prank
A Japanese woman is assaulted by a soldier of the occupation forces
Be your best in every possible situation
Aikido basics
Aikido techniques
Training
Feelings of gratitude
Aikido is an enjoyable martial art
Chapter 2 Fundamental principles
Misunderstandings about aikido
Let me take your hand
Aikido is the study of fundamental principles
The Shinjuku brawl incident
The reality of facing multiple opponents
X is 70 percent of a real fight
The straight punch comes off the front knee
Wartime experience has shown me the strength of the human body
Atemi is all timing
The timing of a single finishing blow
Countering a strike to the temple
Attack a split second before the power surge
Repelling a fully extended punch
Using irimi nage against a drunkard
Open you body after stepping in
Strike with a back-fist after dodging a knife
Make use of the enemy's eagerness
Mike Tyson's visit
Using shiho nage against the boxing G.I.
Throwing techiques to use against judo
Shiho nage is fundamental
Completely extending the opponent's body
Breaking the opponents' balance without pain
Chapter 3 Kokyu power
Kokyu power does not diminish
Center power: Mantaining the body's axis
Grip the ground with your feet
Analyzing the movement of Sensei's center of gravity
Developing the focused power of the entire body
Defending yourself with focused power
Principles of kokyu power
Kokyu power is derived from nothingness
The questions is, who is faster?
Ki is the concentration of balance
Flowing into the weak spot
The secret is to let go of your strength
Chapter 4 Shugyo
Training that conforms to fundamental principles
My judo days
Being thrown by Ueshiba Sensei
The difference between judo and aikido
Teaching aikido at the Shotokan
Aikido can benefit kendo
Learn it, then forget about it
Perceive the changes in each situation
The physical training of my youth
After a period of intensive training, your strength is gone
Develop a body that moves in the most natural way
Sense your teacher's feelings
Ueshiba Sensei's mysterious powers
Dodging a barrage of gunfire
Golden balls came flying
The match against the expert hunter
One day I'll be able to throw Ueshiba Sensei
Train seriously enough to challenge your teacher
Passing my ninth-dan test
Study fundamental principles through the practice of pre-set forms
Aikido has no need for competitive matches
A serious fight is the consummation of intensive training
Chapter 5 Aikido and life are one
The fundamental principles express harmony
We should all become infants
The body is the temple of the gods
There are no precepts at the Yoshinkan
Discover your hidden faults
Walking is martial arts
Lose your ego and you will understand the opponent
Become one with heaven and earth
Akido is the practice of harmony
Afterword
'Son, when you start middle school, you will also start aikido'
Thanks to circular motion there is no collison of force
Do not try to win
Stay calm
See through a make-beleve action
Harmony in confrontation
Become one with your partner
The cultivation of kokyu power, or breath power
How to nurture the 'body's center of balance' or 'focus power'
'What is the purpose of your aikido training?' show less

Originally published in Japanese as Aikido Shugyo: Tai Sureba Aiwasu, copyright 1991 by Shioda Gozo and Jiromaru Akio

Additional copies of this text may be obtained by contacting Shindokan International via the World Wide Web at: www.ShindokanBooks.com

I truly feel that this translation of Shioda Kancho's book is a great sucess. Throughout the translation, we are provided with a personal and direct experience with Kanco himself-as thoukgh he were standing an moving right there in front of us. show more This is the true value of this work-it is not merely a translation.-from the Forward by Inoue Kioichi, Dojo-cho, Aikido Yoshinkan Hombu Dojo

The publication of 'Aikido Shugyo' in the English language is a watershed event for aikido enthusiasts everywhere. Gozo Shioda, one of the most talented students of the art's founder Morihei Ueshiba, is the author of this fascinating tome that recounts his career and philosophy as an aikido teracher. Besides describing the events of his exciting life as an early pupil of Ueshiba in the 1930s and his wartime and postwar experiences, Shioda offers a bost of insights into the psychology of the fighting arts and survival in a world of conflict.

This translation by two advanced practitioners of Yoshinkan Aikido is first-rate and this book will be an essential additiona to the collection of any martial arts practitioner.--Stanley Pranin, Editor, Aikido Journal

Contents

Acknowledgements
From the Editor of the Japanese edition
From the Translators
Foreward by Inoue Kyoichi, Dojo-cho
Introduction by Jacques Payet
I. Fundamental Principles
Misunderstandings About Aikido
Let Me Take Your Hand
Aikido Is The Study of Fundamental Principles
The Shinjuku Brawl Incident
The Reality of Facing Multiple Opponents
Atemi Are 70% of a Real Fight
The Straight Punch Comes Off the Front Knee
Wartime Experience Has Shown ME
The Strength of the Human Body
Atemi is All Timing
The Timing of a Single Finishing Blow
Countering a Strike to the Temple
Attack a Split Second Before The Pwer Surge
Repelling a Fully Extended Punch
Using Irimi Nage Against a Drunkard
Open Your Body After Stepping In
Strike Withy a Backfist After Dodging a Knife
Make Use of the Enemy's Eagerness
Mike Tyson's Visit
Using Shiho Nage Against the Boxing G.I.
Throwing Techniques to Use Against Judo
Shiho Nage is Fundamental
Completely Extending the Opponent's Body
Breaking the Opponent's Balance without Pain
II. Kokyu Power
Kokyu Power Does Not Diminish
Center Power: Maintaining The Body's Axis
Grip the Ground with Your Feet
Analysing the Movement
Of Sensei's Center of Gravity
Developing the Focused Power of the Entire Body
Defending Yourself with Focuksed Power
Applying Focused Power to Weapons
Principles of Kokyu Power
Kokyu Power is Derived from Nothingness
The Question Is, Who Is Faster?
Ki Is the Concentration of Balance
Flowing into the Weak Spot
The Secret is to Let Go of Your Strength
Strength of Will Has No Limits
III. Shugyo
Trainng Which Conforms to Fundamental Principles
My Judo Days
Being Thrown by Ueshiba Sensei
The Difference Between Judo and Aikido
Teaching Aikido at the Shotokan
Aikido Can Benefit Kendo
Learn It, Then Forget About It
Perceive the Changes in Each Situation
The Physical Training of My Youth
After a Period of Intensive Training, Your Strength is Gone
Develop a Body That Moves
In The Most Natural Way
Sense Your Teacher's Feelings
Ueshiba Sensei's Mysterious Powers
Dodging a Barrage of Gunfire
Golden Balls Came Flying
The Match Against the Expert Hunter
One Day I'll Be Able to Throw Ueshiba Sensei
Train Seriously Enough to Challenge Your Teacher
My Aikido Enlightment in Shanghai
Passing My 9th Dan Test
Study Fundamental Principles Through The Practice of Pre-set Forms
Aikido Has No Need for Competitive Matches
A Serious Fight Is the Consummation of Intensive Training
IV. Aikido and Life Are One
The Fundamental Principles Express Harmony
We Should All Become Infants
The Body is the Temple of the Gods
There Are No Precepts at the Yoshinkan
Discover Your Hidden Faults
Walking is Martial Arts
Lose Your Ego and You Will Understand the Opponent
Become One with Heaven and Earth
Aikido is the Practice of Harmony
About the Author: Shioda Gozo
To Learn More Abut Yoshinkan Aikido show less

Foreword

This book has been written in order to provide a textbook for people who are learning Aikido for the first time. We have selected the basic techniques most essential for beginners from among the many techniques practiced every day at the Yoshinkan Dojo. For each we have provided a step-by-step explanation. We have tried to divide the techniques into clear segments and have written the text in simple language.

However, in explaining any martial art, including Aikido, there are always show more technical points which cannot be explained only through pictures or words. To overcome this problem, it i necesaary to actually practice the techniques in order to learn the points which are not understood through this book, and to read good instructional books over and over again. This will aid in rapid understanding and acquisition of correct techniques.

This book has been written so that Aikido practitioners can reveiw the basic movements and basic techniques done in daily practice, and as a reference for beginners who can refer to the photos and apply the points in their own practice.

We hope that readers can apppreciate the beauty and excellence of Aikido through this introduction.-Yoshikan Aikido Instructors, May 1983

Contents

Forword
Introduction
Kamae (basic stance)-Migi hanmi (right stance); Hidari hanmi (left stance)
Seiza-ho (The correct way of sitting)
Rei-ho (Ettiquette and bowing)
Kihon-dosa (Basic movements)
Tai no Henko (turning)-Tai no Henko 1 and 2 (When pulled and when pushed)
Hiriki no Yosei (developing elbow power)-Hiriki no Yosei 1 and 2 (Forward and backward movement, and shifting weight)
Shumatsu-dosa (finishing movement)-shumatsu-dosa 1 and 2 (forward movement when pulled, and pivoting movement when pushed)
Ukemi (breakfalls)-Koho Ukemi (back breakfalls without Slapping); Koho Ukemi (back breakfalls slapping); Koho Kaiten ukemi (back rolling beakfalls); Zenpo Kaiten Ukemi (forward rolling breakfalls); Zenpo Hiaku Ukemi (forward jumping breakfalls)
Shikko-ho (knee walking)
Kohon Giho (Basic Techniques)
Shiho-Nage (four direction throws)-Katate-mochi shiho-nage 1 and 2
Ikkajo Osae (first control)-Shomen-uchi ikkajo osae 1 and 2
Nikajo Osae (second control)-Katate-mochi nikajo osae 1 and 2
Sankajo Osae (third control)-Shomen-uchi sankajo osae 1 and 2
Yonkajo Osae (fourth control)-Shomen-uchi yonkajo osae 1
Irimi-nage (entering throw)-Katate-mochi sokumen irimi-nage 1; Yokomen-uchi shomen irimi-nage 2
Hiji-shime (elbow lock)-Mune-mochi hiji-shime 2
Kote-gaeshi (Outward wrist twist)-Shomen-uchi kote-gaeshi 2
Tenchi-nage (Heaven-and-earth throw)-Ryote-mochi tenchi-nage 1
Kokyu-ho (breathing method)-Suwari Ryote-mochi kokyu-ho 1
Glossary show less