Aiki Budo
Release date: 2004
This exciting film
showcases the prewar Aiki Budo of Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido.
The program begins with a documentary written and produced by Aikido
Journal Editor-in-chief Stanley Pranin that traces the life of the
Founder from his boyhood in Tanabe through his retirement to Iwama in
1942. Morihei's early martial arts training, his study of Daito-ryu
aikijujutsu under the famous Sokaku Takeda, his involvement with the
Omoto religious sect led by Onisaburo Deguchi, and a history of
Ueshiba's Kobukan Dojo are presented.
Takemusu Aiki
Release date: 2007
“Takemusu Aiki” includes outstanding, rare footage of the Aikido Founder from the years 1952-1958.
Since
O-Sensei was stil vigorous in his early 70s, the quality of the action
scenes in these historical films is at times astounding. Many people
overlook the fact that Morihei Ueshiba's aikido is the starting point
of all modern forms of the art. Also, most consider his skills to be
unsurpassed by anyone to date.
The
modern software tools that we now have available have allowed us to
improve upon the quality of the original film footage by a significant
degree. O-Sensei never looked better!
Rendez-vous with Adventure
Release date: 2007
This film presents
the full, uncut version of a fascinating U.S. television documentary on
aikido produced in 1958. It follows the adventures of an American tv
crew who first cover the opening of the majestic Tokyo Tower with all
its pomp and ceremony. Next, they pay a visit to the Aikikai Hombu Dojo
in Tokyo to find out what aikido is all about.
There
they meet famous Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba, his son Kisshomaru,
and Koichi Tohei. Two members of the crew don training uniforms and try
the art out for themselves often with humorous results. An
unforgettable scene is the “challenge” by one of the sceptical
journalists handled by Koichi Tohei. Another highlight of this film is
the interview of O-Sensei with Koichi Tohei acting as interpreter. You
will hear the Founder’s actual voice and watch him intone a haunting
Shinto chant. The exciting finale features a special demonstration by
O-Sensei of taijutsu, aiki ken, aiki jo and multiple attacks. Nobuyoshi
Tamura and Yasuo Kobayashi are among those taking falls for the
Founder. Incredible action!
