Mitsugi Saotome Aikido 6 DVD Set

Six essential volumes. One complete path into the heart of Aikido.

Step into the living tradition of Aikido with this comprehensive 6 DVD collection from Mitsugi Saotome Sensei—one of the art’s most respected masters and a direct student of its founder, Morihei Ueshiba. This set is more than instruction—it is a rare opportunity to experience Aikido as it was transmitted at its source, refined through decades of mastery.

Whether you are a beginner seeking solid fundamentals or an advanced practitioner pursuing deeper understanding, this series offers a complete progression—from core techniques to sophisticated applications, from empty-hand practice to advanced weapons work.

Includes:

The Principles of Aikido
Build a strong technical and philosophical foundation. Saotome Sensei systematically demonstrates essential techniques—from ikkyo to koshinage—while revealing the inner principles that give Aikido its power: musubi (connection), kokyu (breath power), and taninzudori (multiple attackers). Clear, precise, and deeply insightful.

The Staff of Aikido (Jo)
Discover how the staff becomes a powerful training tool for timing, distance, and connection. This volume includes fundamental exercises, six kumijo (paired forms) with variations, ten patrol kata, and rare demonstrations—bridging weapons training directly into empty-hand skill.

The Sword of Aikido (Ken)
Explore the roots of Aikido through the sword. Saotome Sensei teaches suburi (basic cuts), foundational principles like marubashi, and the first five kumitachi (paired sword forms), revealing how sword movement shapes and informs Aikido technique.

Takemusu Aiki
Move beyond technique into true martial understanding. This advanced volume focuses on “risk points” in real encounters—where timing, intent, and awareness determine success. A crucial step toward internalizing Aikido as a living, adaptable art.

Two Swords of Aikido
A rare and fascinating system. Learn Saotome Sensei’s method of using two swords simultaneously, developing coordination, balance, and ambidexterity. Includes defenses against single and multiple attackers, plus rare footage from his 1988 Chicago seminar.

Oyo Henka (Applied Variation)
What happens when technique meets resistance? This volume answers that question. Learn to adapt fluidly when an opponent pushes, pulls, or counters—transforming resistance into opportunity. A deep dive into spontaneity, sensitivity, and true mastery.

About the Instructor – Mitsugi Saotome

Mitsugi Saotome is one of the most influential Aikido teachers in the world and a direct disciple of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. Born in 1937 in Japan, Saotome Sensei entered the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo as a young man and trained intensively under O-Sensei during the final years of the founder’s life.

Renowned for his dynamic technique, deep understanding of Aikido philosophy, and innovative approach to weapons training, Saotome Sensei later brought Aikido to the United States, where he founded the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba. Through decades of teaching, seminars, and writings, he has influenced thousands of practitioners worldwide.

His Aikido emphasizes harmony, adaptability, and the integration of body, mind, and spirit—preserving the founder’s vision while expanding its expression for modern practitioners.

Length: 5 hours on 6 DVDs