Aikido in Daily Life

Book Review

Aikido in Daily Life

by Koichi Tohei

Koichi Tohei was leading Hombu Dojo and the spread of aikido in the world together with Kisshomaru Ueshiba, before leaving to form his Ki Society. In 1966, while still in Hombu and the Aikikai, he wrote this charming book about aikido, ki and everyday living. It was reprinted many times, and it was worth it — his writing here is modest, pensive and delightful.

If I remember correctly, this was the very first aikido book I bought, although imported literature cost a fortune in those days. I never regretted it. Tohei's friendly advice on how to exercise one's ki and relate to life in general was eye-opening, to a large extent exactly because of his benevolent attitude. The reading experience was as pleasant as with, say, Winnie the Pooh or The Little Prince.

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Ki in Daily Life

Upon leaving Aikikai to form his own organization of ki-aikido, Koichi Tohei wrote several books about ki applications — in aikido as well as outside of it. Among them was a new version of his old book's theme, this time called Ki in Daily Life. Strangely, because of his focus on the subject of ki, after his departure from the Aikikai many of the other instructors seemed to shun the subject — although it was definitely essential in Osensei's aikido. Fortunately, Tohei's treatment of ki is adequate and accessible through his books.

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My other reviews

I've reviewed some other books about aikido and related topics.

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My Own Aikido Books

Aikido Principles

Basic Concepts of the Peaceful Martial Art. The principles, philosophy, and basic ideas of aikido. It's not about the aikido techniques, but the thoughts and ideas behind them. You could call it a book on aikido theory. It was my first book, initially in Swedish. It has also been published in German and Czech. The first edition of the English version had the title Aikido — The Peaceful Martial Art. It's still around, but I recommend this edition called Aikido Principles.

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Attacks in Aikido

How to do kogeki, the attack techniques. All the attack techniques in aikido explained, and how to do them correctly. This is an often neglected field in aikido training. We focus on the aikido defense techniques but forget to learn the attacks properly — but then the development of our aikido skills will suffer. So, I wrote this book. As far as I know, it's the only one on the subject.

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Aikibatto

Sword and staff exercises for aikido students. I developed a comprised system of sword and staff exercises (aikiken and aikijo), initially for my own students to get familiar with these things. Other aikido students seemed to appreciate it, so I made this book. The exercises are explained in detail, with practical and spiritual aspects of the sword arts, how to teach them, equipment for training, and more.

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Qi — Increase Your Life Energy

Ki, the life energy, is a very important aspect of aikido. This is evident already in the name of this martial art. It's the same as the Chinese concept qi (also spelled chi or ch'i). Although essential in many ways, far from all aikido students know how to deal with it and integrate it in their training. Therefore, I wrote this book explaining ki, with several simple basic exercises on how to awaken, increase, and use the life energy.

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My Aikido Books

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Aikido Principles

Basic Concepts of the Peaceful Martial Art. The basic principles, philosophy and traditional budo concepts in aikido.
More about the book here.

Attacks in Aikido

How to do kogeki, the attack techniques. All the attack techniques in aikido explained, and how to do them correctly.
More about the book here.

Aikibatto

Aikiken Sword Exercises for Aikido. The aikibatto exercises, practical and spiritual aspects of the sword arts, advice on equipment for training.
More about the book here.