Unlocking the Secrets of Aiki-Jujutsu [Paperback]

H. E. Davey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1997

Aiki-jujutsu is a traditional Japanese combative discipline that has the potential to vitally transform the lives of its participants. Due to the unique nature of aiki-jujutsu, it is possible to experience deeper levels of relaxation, calmness, concentration, willpower, and physical fitness in daily living. This book presents a detailed investigation into the mysteries of this time-honored martial art.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"H. E. Davey's book provides a useful overview of this fascinating art and a sampling of techniques from Saigo-ryu aikijujutsu . . . I would recommend Davey's book to readers who are unfamiliar with aikijujutsu and looking for a concise introduction to this somewhat esoteric martial art."

Journal of Asian Martial Arts

"H. E. Davey's book, his first, and the first in English on aiki-jujutsu, is an important and serious work, a genuine contribution to the available literature on Asian martial systems."

Stephen Fabian, author of Clearing Away Clouds: Nine Lessons from the Martial Arts, 7th dan, and U.S. Representative for Hontai Yoshin Ryu jujutsu

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Masters Press (July 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570281211
• ISBN-13: 978-1570281211
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,833,142 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

H. E. Davey is the Director of the Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts (www.senninfoundation.com), which offers instruction in Japanese systems of yoga, martial arts, healing arts, and fine arts. His introduction to the arts of Japan came via traditional martial arts. Since the age of five, he's studied jujutsu extensively in the USA and Japan. He has received the title of Kyoshi from the Kokusai Budoin, a Tokyo-based international federation. Kokusai Budoin defines Kyoshi as comparable to a "Master's Certificate" and equivalent to modern ranks of sixth- to eighth-degree black belt. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Shudokan Martial Arts Association (www.smaa-hq.com).

In middle school, Mr. Davey began Shin-shin-toitsu-do, a system of Japanese yoga and meditation founded by Nakamura Tempu Sensei. He's the only member of Tempu-Kai, an organization established by Mr. Nakamura, who is a full-time professional instructor of Shin-shin-toitsu-do. He's practiced in Japan and the USA under Nakamura Sensei's senior disciples, including Sawai Atsuhiro Sensei and Hashimoto Tetsuichi Sensei.

Mr. Davey's also received extensive instruction in Nakamura Sensei's methods of bodywork and healing with ki ("life energy"), which he teaches. He's furthermore received training in Hatha yoga and Pranayama breathing exercises in the tradition of Indra Devi.

Mr. Davey also studied shodo, or Japanese brush writing and ink painting, for 20 years under the late Kobara Ranseki Sensei of Kyoto. Mr. Davey holds the top rank in Ranseki Sho Juku shodo and exhibits each year in Japan. He's received numerous honors in these exhibitions, including Jun Taisho ("Associate Grand Prize").

H. E. Davey's articles on Japanese arts and his artwork have appeared in numerous American and Japanese magazines and newspapers. He's the author of Unlocking the Secrets of Aiki-jujutsu (McGraw-Hill), Brush Meditation: A Japanese Way to Mind & Body Harmony (Stone Bridge Press), Japanese Yoga: The Way of Dynamic Meditation (Stone Bridge Press), Living the Japanese Arts & Ways: 45 Paths to Meditation & Beauty (Stone Bridge Press), The Japanese Way of the Artist (Stone Bridge Press), and The Japanese Way of the Flower: Ikebana as Moving Meditation (Stone Bridge Press).

The Japanese Way of the Artist has its own Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TheJapaneseWayOfTheArtist

Japanese Yoga: The Way of Dynamic Meditation also has a Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/JapaneseYoga

H. E. Davey's Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts is on Facebook, too: http://www.facebook.com/SenninFoundation

Be sure to also check out H. E. Davey's Art of Shodo Facebook page for world class Japanese calligraphic art: http://www.facebook.com/ArtOfShodo

If you're a fan of Mr. Davey's books on Japanese arts and meditation, you may also enjoying becoming a fan of these Facebook pages. Just click the "Like" button.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich in Detail and Methods, August 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Unlocking the Secrets of Aiki-Jujutsu (Paperback)

Unlocking the Secrets of Aiki-jujutsu is an uncommon martial arts book. It is distinctive for several reasons:

1. It treats the Japanese martial arts and aikijujutsu as actual arts and not merely some sort of physical mayhem.

2. It discusses the history, theory, philosophy and techniques of aikijujutsu and Japanese martial arts in a well-written, intelligent and even scholarly way.

3. It actually offers more in its descriptions of martial techniques than the all too typical, "Now I move my right foot forward . . ." sort of explanation. The author provides extremely detailed and clear descriptions of how to perform the large number of techniques depicted in this book. Far too many martial arts books only describe what is obviously taking place in the photos, which is just that-obvious. H. E. Davey explains points that are essential for success and still not immediately apparent by looking at the pictures. This book contains one of the most thorough series technical instructions of any martial arts book I've read.

4. It presents the seemingly esoteric concept of "aiki" in a manner that is clearly explained, pragmatic and yet still containing a deep spiritual dimension. Aikido practitioners would be well served by taking a look at this book. One of the best descriptions of what aiki is and how to use it that I've found.

Way too many martial arts books tend to be superficial, poorly written and concerned with mostly how to pound someone into the pavement. Unfortunately since they are so lacking in content, scholarship and intelligence they frequently fail in that regard too.

This book is far removed from the average mediocre judo, aikido, etc. books out there. Unlocking the Secrets of Aiki-jujutsu is a rare find in the world of martial arts manuals.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and well presented, June 17, 2001

By 

Paolo Marino "pamar" (Torino, TO Italy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unlocking the Secrets of Aiki-Jujutsu (Paperback)

First of all, I don't practice Aiki-jujutsu, but I have ten years of experience in Aikido, which is derived from it, so I think that my viewpoint on this book can be sufficiently objective.

This book describes the historical origins of this style, clearing up many of the myths and misconceptions about budo in general, ju-jutsu, Aikiju-jutsu, Aikido and their respective relationships.

After the historical presentation you get a part devoted to explaining aiki, the use of body and mind in Aikijujutsu, and finally a technical section which first explains in great detail a fairly small number of techniques then presents a larger sequence of diverse techniques without explaining them.

All in all I found this book informative, balanced and well focused. Even if the title could make you think that this is one of those "learn XXX in YYY lessons from me, the self-appointed grand-master of ZZZ style" I found that the author has certainly done his homework, I liked most of his explanation of many points which may be useful in my own Aikido practice.

I'd like to stress that this is not a "technical" book, and you should not buy it for learning techniques (even those which are explained in detail will at bes give you an idea of the principles of this art, not any real knowledge of how to perform them). This is ok for me, because I believe that martial arts are learned by doing, and books are a very poor substitute for actual practice with a good teacher.

On the other hand, if you ever need to teach, or even just explain what aikido and its related styles are about, I think this book fits the bill nicely. I also liked that the author does not try to "sell" its particular style as the ultimate combative (or philosophical, or health-promoting) system. He obviously likes AikiJuJutsu and believes in it, but does not get overboard with it.

All in all, a good read if you want to learn more about the ideas and principles behind this family of martial arts.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Aiki-jujutsu Book!, December 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Unlocking the Secrets of Aiki-Jujutsu (Paperback)

Review by Nicklaus Suino

(Nicklaus Suino holds black belt ranks in several traditional Japanese martial arts, including Nihon Jujutsu, and has written three books for Weatherhill and several articles on budo and budo culture. While living in Japan, he received his 6th-degree black belt in Eishin Ryu Iaido from Fukui Soke, the current Eishin Ryu headmaster. He currently teaches Judo, Jujutsu, Karate and Iaido at the Institute of Traditional Asian Martial Arts.)

Legitimate sources for information about traditional martial arts techniques and history are rare. Few exist in English. This new book by accomplished martial artist and historian H.E. Davey, published by Masters Press, will join the list of perhaps two dozen works about the martial arts written in English that are essential reading. It is exemplary in many respects.

UNLOCKING THE SECRETS OF AIKI-JUJUTSU is written in three parts: Part One is entitled "The mysterious origins and roots of aiki-jujutsu"; Part Two is called "Discovering the hidden powers of the mind, body and aiki"; and Part Three is "The explosive power of aiki-jujutsu techniques."

Part one is more than simply historical information on aiki-jujutsu. It is instead an excellent overview of Japanese martial history, likely to be very useful for students of either the martial arts or history. The author's understanding of Japan's evolution is impressive, and he communicates clearly the interdependence of the culture and the martial ways of that country. One particularly welcome aspect of Mr. Davey's writing is that he rigorously documents the sources of his information, a detail that is all too rarely found in martial arts books. His subchapter entitled "Myths and Misconceptions" is also very helpful in presenting information about aiki-jujutsu and dispelling some stereotypes held by martial artists.

Part two is divided into three subparts, dealing with mind, body and aiki, respectively. The "mind" section discusses mental aspects of martial arts practice both from the point of view of a layperson (indicating how a positive outlook can improve one's life) and from the point of view of a martial artist, familiar with the concept of ki, or intrinsic energy, and its relationship to technique. The "body" section discusses the important role of relaxation in practice, and how this relaxation may not be the sort most of us are familiar with. Continuous practice, Davey observes, is crucial to teach the body how to move in harmony with the forces of nature. "Aiki" means harmonious energy, although the author's detailed discussion of the concept shows us that there are much deeper ways to understand this word, encompassing such concepts as eye-contact, breathing, distance, balance, and concentration. One of the most interesting aspects of Davey's discussion of aiki is its relationship to strategy in conflict, where he describes how an advanced martial artist can control his opponent's actions even before a clash.

One small difficulty in reading these first two sections is that the photos are labelled by number, and it is sometimes difficult to find the photo that is being discussed in the text. While numbering works well in the technical section (each photo is labelled "fig. 1," fig. 2," etc.), short descriptive captions might have worked better in the textual portions of the book.

Part three contains detailed descriptions of selected aiki-jujutsu techniques, clearly illustrated with photographs. The photographs do a good job of showing select portions of the techniques Davey explains in his text, although like any still photos of moving techniques there are limits to their effectiveness. One can only hope a companion videotape is in the works! In any case, the selection of techniques include many that are familiar to practitioners of aikido and jujutsu, and many that are unique, or at least done in a way that is unique to Davey's impressive aiki-jujutsu. The explanations are detailed, more so than many other books, and sprinkled with useful advice about how to make the skills more effective, more efficient, or more dynamic.

For students of the martial arts in general, and especially for students of aikido, jujutsu, and aiki-jujutsu, this is a must read. It will be useful as well for anyone interested in Japan and its martial culture, even non-martial artists.