The Bristol Bibliography

If you wish to study the philosophy of aikido, Japanese history or energy manipulation techniques in healing I have put together a list of book which may prove useful:

General Aikido

The Spirit of Aikido by Kisshomaru Ueshiba.
Written by the founders son in his later years this gives a third person view of the teachings developed by O Sensei as well as some re-enforcment of the basic principles of aikdo.

The Philosophy of Aikido by John Stevens
Similar to the preceding book but written by an American aikidoka who has met and spoken with O Sensei.

Secrets of Aikido by John Stevens
One to read after you have been training for some time. Many of the 'secrets' relate to ki which is not taught as a separate discipline in the system practiced by Mr.Stevens. As a non-ki style view of ki it is interesting and maybe if you are having trouble making the ki exercises work this book may help.

Invincible Warrior by John Stevens
A bibliography of Morehei Ueshiba, focusing on the years leading up to the revelation which caused O Sensei to formulate his ideas in to the system that is aikido and how he passed these ideas on to the rest of the "human family".

Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere by Adel Westbrook and Oscar Ratti
If you only read one book about aikido the chances are it will be this one. As close as I have come to an aikido manual. As famous for Oscar Rattis brilliant pen drawings as it is for its aikido content.

Aikido Excersises for Teaching and Training by C.M. Shifflett
An excellent book full of helpful tips for teachers. Deals frankly with such questions as "can the disabled train".

KI Studies

Ki in Daily Life by Koichi Tohei
Koichi Tohei explains how his Ki development exercises can be used in everyday life not just in the dojo; curing insomnia to improving you golf handicap and most things in between.

Book of Ki: Coordinating Mind and Body In Daily Life by Koichi Tohei
The emphasis his in this book is on using the mind and body together to make everyday life easier. More practical than the last book it is aimed at people who may not practice aikido at all or who practice a style that does not teach the ki aspects of aikido which makes it a good beginners book.

Kiatsu by Koichi Tohei
A reprint of the original which has been in demand almost since it went out of print. Kiatsu is a form of healing using Ki principles, chinese and western medical knowledge. KSMBDA students (can) learn kiatsu after reaching 3rd Kyu (green belt) in special lessons taught only by Sensei Kolesnikov. For them this book serves as a reminder of the techniques.


General Martial Art

The Book of five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi (Translated by William Scott Wilson)
Advice to the junior samurai on how to conduct himself so that he becomes a senior samurai.

Hagakure by Yamamoto Tsunetomo (Translated by William Scott Wilson)
Regarded as the handbook of the samurai this text was in fact written in the Tokagawa period when the socio-politcal structure of Japan had been settled after the period of civil war. The Samurai were in the process of transition from clan soldiers to social and politcal adminsitrators. The author constantly reminds the reader of the duty of a samurai during times of war but also during times of peace. The themes are respect for superiors and employer, loyalty to clan, class and emperor, duty and how to carry it out.

Code of the Samurai  (Bushido Shoshinshu) by Taira Shigesuke (translated by Thomas Cleary)
Similar to Hagakure, but predating it by some 200 years. The themes are the same bu the emphasis is different. The reader of this work will almost certainly have been in a battle of some sort so there is less about courage under attack and more about leading men and arranging battles.

Self Knowledge and Philosophy

Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelhos books deal with the search for some truth about life and how to live it. Whether its following dreams, searching for lost faith, finding the ability to love or trying to make sense of a bad or unpleasant situation, he takes the reader through the process of discovery and transformation. Always thought provoking Paulo Coelhos stories don't offer us neat packaged solutions instead they show us how to challenge what is accepted as unchangeable by offering a different view of events and behaviours.
11 Minutes
Maunal of the Warrior of Light
The Valkyries
Fifth Mountain
The Pilgrimage
The Devil and Miss Prym
By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept
Veronika Decides to Die

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig
An introduction to the notion of quality as an attibute of all things.

Lila by Robert M. Pirsig
Continuing with the theme of quality but this time as applied to human systems rather than mechanical ones.


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