Aikido no Tanoshimikata (How to Enjoy Aikido) is a landmark martial arts publication, serving as the debut instructional book written by Gozo Shioda, the legendary founder of Yoshinkan Aikido. First published in January 1963 by Seitosha, it was written during an influential post-war period when Shioda was actively expanding his system to present Aikido as a practical, accessible martial art for the general public.

Core Themes & Manual Structure

• Way of Life Framing: Rather than acting strictly as a dry technical catalog, it frames Aikido training as a modern lifestyle choice and a primary means of “enriching leisure” for city workers.
• High-Contrast Action Work: The pages are filled with rare, high-contrast historical photography capturing Shioda in his athletic prime, clearly showcasing his trademark speed, timing, and center-line control.
• Applied Mechanics: The textbook maps out core fundamental body shifts (kihon dosa) and foundational joint locks/throws (osaewaza), emphasizing a scientific application of structure rather than muscular force.

Rare & Unusual Facts

The Unreleasable Grip: Shioda was renowned for a master-level technical skill often called the “unreleasable hand.” When a heavy attacker grabbed his wrists, they would find themselves physically unable to break contact or let go of his arms even if they tried, due to his instantaneous redirection of their center of gravity.

The Supreme Technique: When once questioned by an interviewer regarding what specific tactical move stood as the absolute “strongest technique” in all of Aikido, Shioda famously smiled and replied: “It is making peace with an opponent who has arrived with the intent to kill you.”

Western Script Inscription: The distinct “G. Shioda” signature penned in Western script on this specific copy is an exceptional rarity for this early 1963 release. Shioda reserved this style almost exclusively for international visitors, military dignitaries, or overseas students—such as US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy during his historic visit to the Yoshinkan Dojo in 1962. This specific volume was personally signed for Charles V. Gruzanski during his combative arts training in Tokyo.

The Little Giant Moniker: Shioda stood at a modest height of only 5’1″ (155 cm). His documented ability to effortlessly throw massive, heavy military security personnel twice his size led directly to his global martial arts nickname, “Aikido’s Little Giant.”

Canine Training Strategy: In his developmental years, Shioda was known to use his active pet dogs as training partners, closely evaluating their natural kinetic movements, low centers of gravity, and sudden balance adjustments to refine his own combative timing.

The Mike Tyson Connection: In a cross-disciplinary meeting of world champions, heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson visited Shioda’s Tokyo dojo to analyze his movement patterns. Shioda later noted that Tyson ignored the flashy throws completely, keeping his eyes locked intensely on Shioda’s footwork and hip rotations throughout the entire demonstration.