|
|
Positive Aikido has taken about 15 years to compile. The hand-drawings describing each of the positive techniques in traditional Aikido were begun in 1987 with the intention of providing new students with a reference guide. The drawings of the first four groupings were finished in 1991 and in 1993, the second four groupings were added, along with some transcripts from a recorded conversation between Sensei Ellis and myself on a long, hysterical (and at times, horrible) roadtrip between Dallas, Texas and Alamogordo, New Mexico (Ask Sensei sometime about passing through Hobbs, New Mexico and stopping at McDonalds). At this point, "Positive Aikido" was no more than a sheaf of papers with line drawings copied off for interested students, and a little bit of transcipted stories taken word-for-word from tape.
In 1999, however, with the advent of digital photography, I decided to augment the drawings with some digital photos and possibly put together a proper booklet for students in all the Ellis Schools. The photos, however, required some supporting text - and there was a lot of history which needed to be conveyed as well. The transcripts were rewritten and cleaned up a bit and the photos were digitally processed for the first four forms. During another visit to New Mexico, Sensei and his assistant Anita Wilson along with Sensei's son did the demonstrations needed for the last four forms.
It was quite obvious at this point that we were looking at a book.
The agent and publishers we first contacted agreed, but suggested improvements - many of which were already under way. Photos were re-shot and extensive work was done on them to clarify technique. Additional sections were added to describe combat strategy and the philosophy behind "Positive Aikido." Sections on ethics and morals within the arts were developed along with material dealing with the selection of a martial art for beginners. And of course, the history section was strengthened and sharpened.
Lastly, a complete reorganization of the material was accomplished with an addition of a section on pins and control and weapons (jo and sword). The finished work is comprised of more than 1000 photos, 600 hand-drawings and complex explanations and tips to make the techniques of Aikido work properly. It includes detailed writing on the "Positive" mindset as well as complete sections geared to beginners, intermediate students and advanced practitioners.
In the end, the results were enough to bring some solid interest from some major U.S. publishers.
Currently, "Positive Aikido" has a publisher and contract negotiations will begin in June or July of this year. The book would then be expected to be on shelves in spring of 2003. A second major publisher which is also interested, is spending a great deal of time and effort reviewing the material; work with them would follow the same basic timeframe. Subsequently it will be June or July before we will release the name of the publisher as it may come down to a choice between the two.
Of this book as it stands now, I can say this. I've read a lot of books on Martial Arts and this one fits into the crowd well - but it also stands out in the sheer comprehensiveness of the work. It is a nearly complete representation of a school of technique - it is a historical marker - a book of strategy - an ethical guide - a technical manual - and it is a chart, graph and manifest of all the things which make martial artists as a whole stand together as sisters and brothers with the same warrior spirit.
