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The Art of Aikido: Principles and Essential Techniques [Hardcover]

Kisshomaru Ueshiba (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)


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Book Description

August 13, 2004
Deep insight into both the spiritual and technical demensions of Aikido

Aikido is a modern Budo founded by Morihei Ueshiba after he had mastered many traditional Japanese martial arts and engaged in profound spiritual training. Morihei maintained, "In true Budo, there is no enemy. True Budo is the function of love. A martial art solely concerned with winning and losing is not true Budo. Victory is to thoroughly rid the mind of contention and conflict within ourselves."

This book was composed by Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Morihei's son and successor as the Second Aikido Doshu (the person who embodies the spirit of Aikido as inherited from the founder and is its living symbol ). Morihei himself taught Aikido in archaic, esoteric language, and limited his instruction to a select few. In order to introduce Aikido to the rest of the world, his son simplified its philosophy and arranged the techniques so that it would be possible for any serious trainee to practice this martial art. Aikido is now practiced in eighty-five foreign countries-a testament to Kisshomaru's achievement. The Aikido ideal of "refining one's mind and body to foster a spirit of harmony" has obviously struck a common chord among the peoples of the world.

This book is a compilation of Kisshomaru's writings on Aikido. It will provide the reader with deep insight into both the spiritual and technical dimensions of Aikido, and explain its central features-ki energy, breathing methods, posture, among others. The book is detailed with many dynamic photos, depicting the author, and his son Moriteru ( present Doshu, and the author of The Aikido master Course), carrying out the techniques. It is a work that all Aikido practitioners, from beginner to master, will want to acquire.


Editorial Reviews

Review


"A core, seminal reference and a 'must have' for any student or practitioner of Aikido." -Midwest Book Review


"The Art of Aikido is a compilation of Kisshomaru's writings that provides the reader with a deeper insight into both the spiritual and technical dimensions of Aikido. Kisshomaru's clear explanation of the philosophy and techniques, and the hundreds of dynamic photographs taken from above showing the EN movement (the concept of circular integration), and depicting the author and his son Moriteru carrying out the techniques, making it possible for all practitioners, from beginner to master, to fully understand the practice of Aikido." -Aikido Journal


."..The black-and-white photographs are dynamic, many of them showing a sequence of movements from above..." -Choice


From the Publisher

Deep Insight into both the Spiritual and Technical Dimensions of Aikido

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Kodansha USA; First Edition edition (August 13, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 4770029454
  • ISBN-13: 978-4770029454
  • Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #273,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

 

Customer Reviews

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Average Customer Review
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential beginner's guide to the Art of Aikido, April 6, 2005
This review is from: The Art of Aikido: Principles and Essential Techniques (Hardcover)
Aikido is not a usual martial art. Created during one of the darkest times in Japan's history, in the aftermath following defeat in WWII, Aikido was presented to the shattered nation by its founder Morihei Ueshiba as a method to gain self-reliance and confidence. Rather than combat, Aikido is an art of training the spirit, the ki.

Morihei's son, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, inherited the school of Aikido and decided to enlarge his father's vision to bring Aikido to everyone. With this in mind, he wrote "The Art of Aikido: Principles and Essential Techniques," a manual to the spiritual discipline and philosophy of Aikido, including an introduction to the core techniques.

The book is in three section, Aikido Philosophy, The Essence of Aikido and Aikido Techniques. Philosophy covers the founder's ideas, the necessity of Ki and Tagatane ("Hand Sword"). In the next section, Aikido is compared to Judo, and described as a swordsman's art, rather than a system of grappling. Finally, the actual stances and moves are outlined, with beautiful and useful pictures detailing the actions.

Anyone considering Aikido would find this book a treasure, as they would be able to approach their new art with a core understanding of its philosophy and intentions. Continuing Akidokas would be interested to read the thoughts and ideals of the founder, as passed down through his son.
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A "must-have" for any student or practitioner of Aikido, September 18, 2004
This review is from: The Art of Aikido: Principles and Essential Techniques (Hardcover)
Written by the late Aikido Doshu master Kisshmaru Ueshiba, The Art Of Aikido: Principles And Essential Techniques is an ideal introduction and a superbly presented instruction guide to the martial art of Aikido. Written by the son of Aikido's founder, who translated the concepts of Aikido that his father presented in an esoteric language and simplified the philosophy and practices so that any trainee could engage in this martial art, The Art Of Aikido combines solid instructional text with black-and-white photographs illustrating movements and combinations step by step. A core, seminal reference and a "must-have" for any student or practitioner of Aikido.
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5.0 out of 5 stars The Way of Harmony, October 8, 2011
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This review is from: The Art of Aikido: Principles and Essential Techniques (Hardcover)
Started Aikido training about 2 years ago and wanted to know more about the origions of Aikido and why the movements are done the way they are. Besides the words,the photos help to explain also. Very good book to add to my library.
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
seated techniques, marvelous functioning, pinning techniques, partner attacks, partner grabs, martial way, partner attempts, traditional martial arts, throwing techniques
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