Reviews

“The Language of Aikido” is a well-researched book steeped with scholarship, personal experience, and heart.  I believe “The Language of Aikido” will help clarify the Japanese language as used in Aikido to deepen both the theory as well as the practice of our art for students and teachers of all approaches, backgrounds, and experience levels.  An invaluable addition to every Aikido library.  Highly recommended!  

— Chuck Clark [Founder, Jiyushin-ryu Aikibudo]
 

Wonderful for the novice or expert. 

— Howard Popkin [Ginjukai]

I highly recommend this book for a better contextual translation of the Japanese words and characters (symbols) as it applies to the practice of all the various forms of aikido, aikibudo, and so forth. There is also a great sampling of history and aikido nomenclature from different schools and related budo studies. It allows the student to consider multiple viewpoints and translations of frequently used terms in our practice as they develop their own knowledge and authority in their practice.
 

When I returned to aikido 20 years ago (in the prior century), one of my first goals was to reach out to other aikido students online and connect with people with more experience than I both in the art and in their ability to translate the language to expand my understanding and exposure beyond what I could training achieve in one dojo.Many people and some systems of aikido consider the language to be unimportant and imprecise, poetic translations sufficient for conveying the concepts and meaning of aikido, but as a long time practitioner, I personally feel that more detailed culturally contextual translations are crucial for assisting the student get closer the to core experience of the art.

One example of how valuable the kind of translation provided here is how dramatically it altered my understanding of atemi and ukemi as not simply striking and falling, respectively, but as connecting (delivering) and receiving force with the body, something that also becomes more evident in all of our drills and practices over time, but is strongly reinforced by a deeper understanding of the language and it’s component building blocks.

Another significant example is the idea of aikido itself having other (subjectively better) ways of being translated then simply “The Way of Harmonizing Energy” that, to me, does not convey well the full meaning of the term. I am one who prefers one of the other translations offered in this book and find it useful that multiple commonly used translations are provided with commentary for the student to consider.I have trained with many of the concepts here for years, but to have them gathered here as a reference remains invaluable and on the dojo bookshelf (in my Kindle currently, but eventually in print, I hope) for the entire dojo to review as we train. 

— Tarik J. Ghbeish [Iwae Dojo — Boulder Creek, CA]

This is a book all Aikido people will want to read cover to cover, probably more than once. It is a detailed reference work, and also human and readable. Not only is it well-written, it’s also beautifully formatted. I don’t say this lightly: this book is going to be an instant classic that every student of the art should own. 

— Linda Eskin [GrabMyWrist.com]

A very good review of Japanese and Japanese characters for anyone involved in the martial arts. Easily understood for someone with very little experience with the language. I found the information invaluable.

A great look at Aikido through the lens of Japanese language (hence culture) AND equally a fascinating exploration of Japanese language through the lens of Aikido (and budo) history, culture, and practice. Win-win! 

— Janet Rosen

 

A fascinating and in-depth study of language. Students, teachers, or anyone interested in Aikido or budo should absolutely be adding this to their library. I learned a surprising amount from this book. Well done, Michael Hacker. 

—Phil Eyers [Genryukan Aikido]

 

As a student of Japanese Budo since the age of nine, I have always searched for good books to supplement my training and to enhance my understanding. Over the years, I have noticed that they tend to fall into one of 2 major categories once on the bookshelf: entertainment and references. The vast majority make up the former. After reading the Kindle version of “The Language of Aikido,” I am certain that I will have more than one hard copy if only to have an extra to loan. This is the book that I wish I would have had access to when I was a youngster struggling to grasp the subtleties of my training. 

— Jason Mokry [Mokurin Dojo, Louisiana]

I’m not trying to learn Japanese, but I do want to know what the words I’m using and hearing in the dojo mean. And I don’t want to sound like an idiot when I’m pronouncing them. Hacker does a great job of addressing both of these needs without trying to teach the reader Japanese. It’s nice that the book does what it says, but for an added bonus Hacker’s humor comes through throughout the book making what could have been a very dry read actually rather enjoyable. 

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Proud of you, Michael! 

—Lynne Hacker [Michael’s Mother]