by Ambrose Merrell

Review by David Ito

Every once in a while, my beliefs get challenged and I realize that I am wrong. I used to think that to consider yourself a student of a teacher that you had to actually be in the physical presence of that teacher. I am here today to tell you that is not always true. It has been almost 10 years since Furuya Sensei passed away. Most of his so called students have left for greener pastures. A few have still remained fighting the good fight. Recently, there have been a couple of people that followed Sensei via the internet that have demonstrated that they not only were his students but are in fact more loyal and grateful to him than the students who trained directly under him.
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by Rev. Kensho Furuya

Rev. Kensho Furuya is the founder of the Aikido Center of Los Angeles. He was a Zen Buddhist priest, expert swordsman and wonderful Aikido teacher. Kodo is a collection of his writings with the same title from his very popular monthly article in MA Training magazine. You will gain considerable insight to the Japanese martial arts, culture and what it means to be a student and a teacher.

by 2nd Doshu, Kisshomaru Ueshiba

The Spirit of Aikido is a quick read written by Kisshomaru Ueshiba who was the son of the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. Many books written in English on O’Sensei’s philosophies are heavily embellished. This book is a great reference on Aikido and a wealth of information on O’Sensei’s philosophies. Read this book before reading any other on Aikido.

A Life in Aikido: The Biography of Founder Morihei Ueshiba was written by Kisshomaru Ueshiba and translated by Furuya Sensei’s friend Kei Izawa Sensei. If you want to know more about O’Sensei’s life then this is the book for you. It is not an exaggeration to say that most other books tend to deify O’Sensei and his life. This one is written by his son and thus the information is probably the most credible. I found it really interesting to find out more about Morihei Ueshiba, the man instead of O’Sensei the deity.  

By 3rd Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba

3rd Doshu is the current Doshu and grandson of the founder of Aikido. This book is one of the best technical how-to books on Aikido. 3rd Doshu’s approach is very systematic and well thought out. He covers both basic and advanced techniques and emphasizes proper taisabaki or body movment and mai-ai or spacing.

By Hombu Dojo Dojo-Cho, Mitsuteru Ueshiba

The book is written by the current Dojo-Cho of Hombu Dojo. He is the great grandson of the founder of Aikido. The book is how-to technical book and is rooted in kihon-waza or basic techniques. It is a great resource for students and teachers. I highly recommend having it on hand as a reference to the technical aspects of Aikido.

By H.H. the Dalai Lama with Howard Cutler

When I first read this book, I was on my way to Japan and going through a rough patch in my life. During that trip, I read this book probably 10 times over the course of 2 weeks. In all honesty, I didn’t understand some of the Buddhist concepts, but what was very helpful was Dr. Howard Cutler’s explanations of his holiness’ philosophies. This book isn’t about Buddhism so to speak but more of a guide of how to live one’s life in a more decent and authentic way. This was the first book I ever read which changed my life.

By Robert E. Carter

This book is a very interesting study of the culture of Japanese arts from a Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Trent University in Canada. This book sheds light on not only Japanese cultural arts like Aikido, Zen, and flower arranging, but also explains many of the topics that materialize in one’s training that are hard to understand. He has been given access to many different Japanese masters and art forms and thus the book is a wealth of information.

By Eiji Yoshikawa

Musashi originally appeared in the Asahi Shimbun from 1935 to 1939 as a fictional adaptation of the life of Japan’s most prolific swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi. The story weaves historical facts with fictional stories and deftly fills in the blanks in Musashi’s life. It is written so well that many people think the stories are fact but nonetheless it is a fun read.

By Miyamoto Musashi and translated by Thomas Cleary

The Book of Five Rings or Go Rin No Sho is supposedly a series of teachings that Miyamoto Musashi taught his own students on battle tactic, philosophy and swordsmanship. It gained its highest popularity in the 1980s as a book for Japanese businessmen in how they should not only conduct themselves but how they should conduct business. It is an easy read with many of the lessons being just a few sentences. For instance, in battle, Musashi advocates to strive for height or that the person with high ground has the advantage. A great read for anyone who wants to understand swordsmanship and Japanese philosophy a little bit better.

By Eugen Herrigel

Zen and the Art of Archery is about a German professor of philosophy who takes up Kyudo or Japanese archery in order to help him learn Zen Buddhism better. Eugen Herrigel, the author studies with Awa Kenzo who at the time was advocating a style of archery which was much more spiritual and philosophical than the mainstream style. Today, the art of Kyudo is more like Awa Kenzo’s spiritual style of archery. The book follows the author’s ups and downs of studying a traditional Japanese art in Japan under a real Japanese style teacher. Many times throughout this book, I laughed out loud because I have made many of the same mistakes studying under Furuya Sensei.

Read an article written by Eugen Herrigel on Zen Swordsmanship

By John C. Maxwell

Developing the Leader Within You is probably one of the first self-improvement books that I read some 25 years ago. Since that time, I have probably read at least 10 of John C. Maxwell’s other books. Every single one of us is a leader in some capacity even if we don’t know it. Reading this book opened my eyes to the difference between being a leader and being a manager. One of my favorite quotes from this book which I use often is, “People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.” A definite must read for anyone who finds themselves in a position of influence and wants to engage with others in a more fulfilling way.

Audiobook only by Brene Brown

The Power of Vulnerability was originally a TED talk that went viral and became this audiobook. I personally have listened to this program at least five times in its entirety. Every time I listen to it, I find myself nodding my head and thinking to myself, “I totally do that.” I have had so many “aha” moments listening to this book and I can honestly say that this program changed my life.
Watch her TedTalk here

By Kristin Neff

Aikido is based on O’Sensei’s philosophy of non-violence. To be able to practice non-violence, a person needs to be able to give the person who confronts them compassion. To be able to give compassion to others one needs to give it to themselves first. Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff can be a road map to understanding the philosophies of Aikido.    
Watch her TedTalk here.

By Soshitsu Sen XV

This is by far, one of my favorite books. It can be argued that all Japanese etiquette and manners come from Chado or the Tea Ceremony. Soshitsu Sen is the fifteenth-generation head of the Urasenke tea family and a descendant of the founder of Chado, Sen Rikyu. In this book, he succinctly sums up the way of tea and clearly explains the etiquette and nuances that make up Japanese culture.