As taught by the Founder to the Author, Aikido is an extremely efficient and versatile martial art. It does not rely upon a weapon or weapons but shows that the body movements are the same whether one holds a weapon or not.

The term riai means, literally, a blending of truths. By understanding Aikido through riai, one sees that the taijutsu techniques were developed from movements using the sword. Therefore, training with the sword will develop taijustu technique.

The Founder said that a weapon should be used as and extension of the body. However, he stressed that one should not develop a dependence upon a particular weapon. To build this feeling, one should practice the basic exercises of ken and jo suburi, tai no henko, and kokyu dosa consistently. A good understanding of these basic exercises will enable the practitioner to move smoothly and surely with or without weapons.

Explanations have purposely been kept at a minimum to encourage the reader to use the book as a guide to developing understanding through practice.

Saito began his aikido training under the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, in Iwama in 1946 after having practiced some kendo, judo and karate. Although other students such as Koichi Tohei trained with Ueshiba for more years than Saito did, Saito's work allowed him to train almost as an uchideshi, for long periods as the only student. From 1946 until Ueshiba’s passing in 1969, Saito served as Ueshiba's assistant in a variety of ways at Iwama while his wife served Mrs. Ueshiba. During Saito’s period as a deshi he taught classes in the Iwama dojo. Before his death Ueshiba gave Morihiro Saito the responsibility of carrying on the teaching at the Iwama dojo and also the position of caretaker of the Aiki Jinja located in Iwama.

Contents

Foreword
Remarks on Takemusu Aiki
I Takemusu Aiki
Variations of Katate-dori (one-hand hold)
Basic exercise: Katate-dori Dai-Ikkyo (arm pin)-Omote-waza (front technique); Ura-waza (truning technique)
Basic exercise: Katate-dori Dai-Nikkyo (wrist turn)-Varied exercise: variation 1-7
Rigorous exercise: variation 1-4
Variations of Kata-dori (shoulder held)
Basic exercise: Kata-dori Dai-Ikkyo-Varied exercise: variation 1 & 2
Variations of Muna-dori (lower lapel held)
Basic exercise: Muna-dori Dai-Ikkyo-Omote-waza; Ura-waza
Rigorous exercise: Muna-dori Dai-Nikyo-Varied exercise: Variation 1-11
Variations against Tsuki (thrusting attack)
Basic exdrcise: Tsuki Dai-Ikkyo; Tsuki Dai-Ikkyo
Varied exersice Variation: Variation 1 & 2
Variations of Shomen-uchi (straight strike at the head)
Varied exercise: Variation 1
Rigorous exercise: Shomen-uchi Dai-Ikkyo
Varied exercise: Variation 2-6
Variatons of Yokomen-uchi (circular strike at the head)-Varied exercise: variation 1
Variations of Ushiro-dori (held from behind)
Basic exercise: Ushiro-Ryote-dori (both hands held from behind); Dai-Ikkyo
II Happo-Giri (eight-corner cutting)
Happo-giri
Shiho-nage (four-corner throw)
Throwing in opposit direction
Throwing in the same direciton
Throwing leftward
Throwing rightward
III Kaeshi-waza (counteractive techniques)
Kaeshi-waza against Dai-Ikkyo
Counteraction with Dai-Ikkyo-Basic form: First stage, Second stage, third stage
Counteraction with Dai-Nikyo
Counteraction with Dai-Nikyo
Counteraction with Kote-gaeshi
Counteraction with Irimi-nage (entering throw)
Counteraction with Irimi-nage
Counteraction with Koshi-nage (hip throw)
Counteraction with Koshi-nage
Counteraction with varied technique
Counteraction with varied technique
Counteractive techniques against Dai-Nikyo
Cunteraction with Dai-Sankyo
Counteraction against Irimi-nage
Counteraction with leg-tripping
Counteraction with Koshi-nage
Counteactive technique against shiho-nage
Counteraction with shiho-nage
Counteractive techniques against Kaiten-nage (rotary throw)
Counteraction with elbow-scooping