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Rating: 
Summary: I love this type of book
Review: I collect all types of martial arts books. The ones I like best are the how to books, that show the techniques. I consider myself a technique collector. This book is nothing but techniques! Non of that boring discussion about the spirit or overly long history lesson. It gets right to the nitty gritty. I wish all the photos were great but some are a little dark. I had been to one of his seminars in NJ and I felt his techniques personally and they were very powerful. He was a very meticulous in his explanations and he made sure all the students got personal instruction. He knows Aiki. I have also went to Mr. MacEwen's seminar and found that he was very fast but couldn't teach well and had a tendency to talk about himself more then teach. I got tired about hearing how much he travels and then he would sit down and BS with others and not pay attention to the paying students. I can see why Mr. Kopitov wouldn't want to be associated with him.
Rating: 
Summary: Questions
Review: I read all of the reviews, and first and foremost I want to say that after practicing a traditional Hombu style Aikido, Nihon Goshin Aikido is based heavily on Daitoryu aikijujutsu. Traditional aikido is based on daitoryu, however not as heavily, so that explains a difference in philosophies as well as techniques.
The book only contains techniques up to Purple belt because there are only 50 techniques, after purple belt techniques are perfected more knowledge is acquired about the art and one year teaching experience is required. Primarily weapons are taught to earn a 2nd degree black belt and all 15 ki techniques must be perfected.
Kopitov Sensei is extremely knowledgeable of the NGA style as well as his own derivative style and is currently focusing on putting more Aiki into the techniques. I have had the oppurtunity to go to one of his seminars as well as speak with him while breaking bread and I know that he is a good person, not arrogant, and always willing to help. Beyond that, he is selling copies of the book he co-wrote with Bowers Sensei for a much lower price. If you think that this book is not a good value, find his website and purchase the book from HIM. If you are a student of NGA the price is worth it, it's insights into the technique provide a lot of basic help. Only your Sensei can make the smaller corrections.
The content cannot provide perfect insight into the art, to do that you must practice it, not read it in a book. So get the book, practice the art and find balance in your life.
Rating:
Summary: Questions
Review: I read all of the reviews, and first and foremost I want to say that after practicing a traditional Hombu style Aikido, Nihon Goshin Aikido is based heavily on Daitoryu aikijujutsu. Traditional aikido is based on daitoryu, however not as heavily, so that explains a difference in philosophies as well as techniques.
The book only contains techniques up to Purple belt because there are only 50 techniques, after purple belt techniques are perfected more knowledge is acquired about the art and one year teaching experience is required. Primarily weapons are taught to earn a 2nd degree black belt and all 15 ki techniques must be perfected.
Kopitov Sensei is extremely knowledgeable of the NGA style as well as his own derivative style and is currently focusing on putting more Aiki into the techniques. I have had the oppurtunity to go to one of his seminars as well as speak with him while breaking bread and I know that he is a good person, not arrogant, and always willing to help. Beyond that, he is selling copies of the book he co-wrote with Bowers Sensei for a much lower price. If you think that this book is not a good value, find his website and purchase the book from HIM. If you are a student of NGA the price is worth it, it's insights into the technique provide a lot of basic help. Only your Sensei can make the smaller corrections.
The content cannot provide perfect insight into the art, to do that you must practice it, not read it in a book. So get the book, practice the art and find balance in your life.
Rating: 
Summary: Finally, A Book on Nihon Goshin Aikido!
Review: I saw the reviews here and had to write. I should start out by saying that I am not one of the authors, and would only give an honest unbiased opinion here. Those who have given poor reviews fall into two categories. Either they are the pathetic Ueshiba aikidokas who don't understand that Nihon Goshin aikido originated in Japan simultaneous to Ueshiba's aikido (documentation is available), or they are angry at the author for leaving the NGA association. Lets set the record straight. First, NGA (and this book) does not pretend to be O-sensei's aikido. Period. It is a harder style, built off of Daito Ryu aikijujitsu. It does not even pretend to copy Ueshiba aikido. The word aikido is not the property of the Ueshiba clan, though some seem to be ignorant of this fact. Now lets objectively analyze the book. The main pluses include that it is the first written text on this esoteric art. All of the techniques are carefully documented and many applications and strategies are displayed. The minuses include poor image quality, and minor editing issues, as well as the fact that it is written more as a primer to review the art, not to absolutely learn it by itself. It is a great first attempt, interesting to see, and clearly required painstaking effort to prepare. While not perfect, those who gave it less than two starts clearly have a personal bone to pick with the authors or the style, and should not be trusted.
Rating:
Summary: Book Bad - Author Worst
Review: I started reading this book on Nihon Goshin Aikido and thought to myself "Hhhmm..another book on another form of Aikido" Wow, like we really need this. There is nothing different or new in this book. Now, I realize that all the Nihon Goshin Aikido students are going to jump all over me for this, but its true, the book is bad. Then all of a sudden I realized who wrote the book! Its co-author, Walter Kopitov, is one of the worst martial artists I've ever met. He is a big ego-manaic. Now he writes a book! people, please don't waste your money on this book. And for all you students and friends of Kopitov, save your breath. We don't want to hear your opinon. Bottom line: Book stinks.
Rating: 
Summary: unbiased review from a student of aikido
Review: The problem with aikido is that teachers, until now, have refused to document their aikido style in a book. Which means their books give only general info--not style specific or belt specific. This book however, has the entire Nihon Goshin style broken down into belts--classical and applications. IT is the only book that has done so. Thus it has no true competition. Note that the authors published the book themselves--no easy task. Ignore the nit-pickers and doom sayers--if you want to study this style you need the book. On the negative end, the book has very grainy photography that is too dark. Many of the shots should have been closer and a few applications are missing. However, since I am already familiar with the techniques it is not a problem with me. I am very thankful to the authors for writing and publishing it. No one else has dared to.
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