Videos
Video Clips
O'Sensei
1935 Asahi News Demonstration - An impressive display of Ueshiba's martial skills from his early years.
Radio Interview with O'Sensei - A rare clip of the Founder answering questions about Aikido and his life.
Aikido - A 1961 Documentary on O'Sensei and his art.
Divine Techniques - Clips of O'Sensei in his later years.
Mitsunari Kanai
Technical Aikido - An excerpt from Kanai Sensei's video.
Demonstration at New England Aikikai - Featuring David Halprin as his first uke.
Demonstration in San Francisco - A collection of Kanai Sensei's taijutsu (open-handed techniques).
Kanai Sensei's Kumitachi (1-7) - Paired practice with bokken (wooden sword)
Some of Aaron's Favorite Cips
David Halprin in Venezuela - I truly admire his calm, powerful and technically precise Aikido.
Claude Berthiaume in Venezuela - So natural and clean - it looks like he could be reading the paper.
Hikitsuchi Sensei in Shingu - A rare clip of one of Aikido's few 10th dans.
Mary Heiny on Connection - One of my favorite teachers since I trained in California.
Seigo Yamaguchi in Paris - Watching him makes me want to train for the rest of my life.
Seishiro Endo in Tokyo #1 & #2- So soft, yet so effective. Amazing.
Yoshi Shibata Demo #1 & #2 - Can't wait for the next seminar!
Aaron Cass Sandan Test - My third-degree black belt test at Framingham Aikikai.
Recommended Reading
The Art of Peace - Morihei Ueshiba (translated by John Stevens)
A collection of sayings, quotes and poems by Morihei Ueshiba. This is the compact version that will fit in your pocket. At 125 pages, it's a great way to get a sense for how O'Sensei envisioned Aikido in his own words.
Invincible Warrior - John Stevens
A pictorial biography of O'Sensei's life. Beginning with his upbringing in the Japanese countryside, this book traces his martial development from his early training in Daito-Ryu Jujitsu through his eventual creation of Aikido. There are also some wonderful candid shots of O'Sensei sprinkled throughout the book.
Budo: Teachings of the Founder of Aikido - Morihei Ueshiba
In his lifetime, Morihei Ueshiba only authored one book, which he only gave to select individuals. With the approval of Kisshomaru Ueshiba, his son, Kodansha was able to publish it here. Filled with some stunning pictures of the founder, this book is a historical treasure and recommended reading for anyone who practices Aikido.
Remembering O'Sensei - Edited by Susan Perry
A collection of stories, memories and reflections on Morihei Ueshiba by his students. Much of what O'Sensei himself said can be hard to understand because it's wrapped in Shinto mythology - hearing what his students have to say reveals a mischievous, warm-hearted side of the Founder we otherwise wouldn't see.
