Tomiki Aikido Books and Videos

Over the years, a great number of excellent books and videos on Tomiki Aikido have appeared.  The first book was Tomiki Sensei's 1956 text Judo with Aikido.  Like several of the other books given in this list, it is now out of print, but may be obtained second hand on BarnesAndNoble.com.  The hyperlinks should take you to the correct page to buy the book or video (usually at Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com). 

This is a woefully incomplete list of Tomiki Aikido books and videos.  If you know of any others that should be added, please e-mail flynn@vassar.edu.

Books

Judo with Aikido,1956 by Kenji Tomiki.  This English language book will cost you about $100 used and show you how Tomiki believed Judo and Aikido to be interlinked.

Aikido Masters by Stanley Pranin.  This book has interviews with all of Ueshiba's major early students, including a very enlightening interview with Tomiki Sensei.  Contains absolutely no explanations or illustrations of techniques!

The Principles and Practice of Aikido, 1966 by Senta Yamada and Alex McIntosh.  This English language book has excellent photo sequences and descriptions of the old Basic 15, which later developed into the current Basic 17.  This book will also cost you about $90 used.

Aikido: An Introduction to Tomiki Style: Randori no Kata and Variations, 1975 by M.J. Clapton.  This book was re-issued in 1996 by the Talman Press.  A compact 88 pages.

Tomiki Aikido: Randori and Koryu no Kata, 1996 by Dr. Lee Ah Loi, 7th dan.  This English language book is the most comprehensive book on Tomiki Aikido ever written.  It has long picture sequences and detailed descriptions (for both uke and tori) on how to do every single major Tomiki aikido kata.  Literally hundreds of techniques are covered.

Competitive Aikido: Though, Theory, Practice, 2001 by Kenshi Uno, 7th dan. This bilingual book (both Russian and English are included) covers all the basics from falling and footwork, basic kuzushi drills, staff and sword forms, as well as the most common Tomiki aikido kata. But what really sets its apart are the long chapters covering the history and philosophical development of the Japanese martial arts as well as Uno Sensei's thoughts about the proper place of the martial arts in the modern world, and how Tomiki aikido fits into our modern lives.  The book also comes with a DVD that shows all the techniques covered in the book.  Only available through the British Aikido Association.

Understanding Shodokan Aikido: Basics through 7th Kyu, 2002 by Sean Masaki Flynn. 

Aikido and Randori, 2002 by Scott Albright, 5th dan.  This English language book covers all the essentials of the fundamental kata, as well as dives right into the proper way to do randori (sparring) both mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Aikido: Tradition and the Competitive Edge, 2002 by Fumiaki Shishida, 8th dan, and Tetsuro Nariyama, 8th dan.  The authors are the two highest ranking Tomiki Aikido practitioners, and this book is an invaluable guide to Tomiki Aikido.  Covers basics, the Randori no Kata, several sword and staff techniques, and also features an interesting section on Aikijujutsu.

Aikido The Tomiki Way, 2003, by Neil Saunders. A very comprehensive guide to the main kata used by most Tomiki schools.  Includes the Basic 17 as well as all of the techniques in the six Koryu (old style ju-jutsu) Kata.

Videos

Tomiki Aikido, 2000 by Tapeworm studio.  This is a short 45 minute tape that has rare home footage of Tomiki teaching Aikido to US military personnel at the Kodokan (the world Judo headquarters where Tomiki was also a top Judo instructor) as well as black and white footage of Tomiki and Ohba demonstrating the first part of what is now the Dai-san kata, as well as other aikido techniques.  Also shows Tomiki doing the unsoku and tandoku undo.

Tomiki Aikido, 1991 by Aikido Journal.  This tape has rare color footage of Tomiki and Ohba Senseis, as well as demonstrations by Nariyama Sensei and the final bouts of the 1st Sports Aikido World Championship in 1989.

The Art of Aikido, 1991 by Dr. Lee Ah Loi, 7th dan.  Covers a large chunk of the Tomiki curiculum, from shikko (knee walking) to weapons disarms.

Advanced Aikido, 1997 by Dr. Lee Ah Loi, 7th dan.  Excellent detailed instruction on balance breaking, hold breaking, and attacks from front and rear.  Dr. Loi was for many years the student of Hideo Ohba, the second Chairman of the Japan Aikido Associaiton.

Kikusuikai Presents Tomiki Aikido, 1995 by John Waite, 7th dan.  This 5 tape collection covers every kata in the Tomiki Aikido system.  It is by far the most comprehensive collection of Tomiki Aikido videos available.  Plus, John Waite is a dynamic and thoughtful instructor.  He is also a 5th dan in Judo and brings the old-school insight that views Aikido and Judo as an integrated whole.

Japan Aikido Association/USA Training Videos.  This is an extensive collection of training videos, seminar tapes, and competition footage.  Instruction is given by top senseis including Fumiaki Shishida, Tetsuro Nariyama, Seiji Tanaka, Robert Dziubla, and David Nettles, Stan Nevin, Keith Benedix, Manny Vargas, and Sekio Endo.  Order several.