This technical volume is written by one of the greatest teachers of the postwar era, Shoji Nishio Sensei. This is Nishio Sensei’s first book and is presented in bilingual, Japanese-English format for an international readership. This beautiful volume contains hundreds of technical photos illustrating Nishio Sensei’s empty-handed techniques along with detailed explanations and commentary on their interrelationships with the ken and jo, and the deeper principles of aikido. The English translation of the text is by Derek Steel.

Shoji Nishio was born December 5, 1927 in Aoyama Prefecture. He enrolled at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1951 and began to instruct around 1955. Nishio Sensei had a broad background in judo, karate, iaido, jojutsu and other arts and incorporated elements from these disciplines into his aikido. He achieved the rank of Aikikai 8th dan.

Nishio taught in northern Europe, America, France, Germany and other countries. He was also active in overseeing branch dojos in many different parts of Japan until his passing in March 2005.