Aikido O Senseis Sublime Synthesis Vol 1

How can we fully understand aikido, or any other martial art for that matter, when we have only been exposed to part of it? While learning about the art, we can easily make assumptions and be tricked by false impressions. In most cases, even instructors do not have enough background to grasp the entirety of the art and are happy to work with part of it. The content in this special two-volume anthology details the many facets of aikido as it was formulated by Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969)—O-Sensei, the great teacher. Each chapter contributes to a piece of the aikido puzzle by providing historical details, insightful technical drills (bare handed and with weapons), and components that have flavored this art with a spiritual essence. From the Ueshiba wellspring flows a number of streams—political splinter groups offering their own take on what aikido should be and how it should be practiced. Each branch may stand on its own, but a good number of scholars and practitioners prefer a more encompassing representation of what O-Sensei taught. So, chapters in these volumes help “put Humpty Dumpty back together again.” Volume I includes ten chapters and volume II another fourteen. The authors—twenty-three in all—present superb credentials as scholars and practitioners of aikido. On the academic side, you’ll find chapters that detail aikido’s philosophy, from ethical relationships and practical theory to the subtle spiritual dimension. A few authors highlight the circumstances regarding the transmission of aikido from teacher to student. Some authors show how culture influences the perception and understanding of aikido when it travels outside Japan. Aikido is often practiced as a system of body movement encompassing a philosophy of peace and harmony. Others may focus on learning the art for its effective methods of self-defense. Composed of material previously published in the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, this two-volume anthology is heavy on the technical aspects of aikido that both teachers and students would benefit by reading. Training methods are discussed in detail, supported by hundreds of illustrations of attack and defense. Whatever your primary interest is in aikido, Aikido: O-Sensei’s Sublime Synthesis will prove to be a great reference for the scholar and practitioner. We hope this convenient collection of quality material dealing with Morihei Ueshiba’s martial discipline will benefit your research and inspire the practice of this elegant art.

How can we fully understand aikido, or any other martial art for that matter, when we have only been exposed to part of it? While learning about the art, we can easily make assumptions and be tricked by false impressions. In most cases, even instructors do not have enough background to grasp the entirety of the art and are happy to work with part of it. The content in this special two-volume anthology details the many facets of aikido as it was formulated by Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969)—O-Sensei, the great teacher. Each chapter contributes to a piece of the aikido puzzle by providing historical details, insightful technical drills (bare handed and with weapons), and components that have flavored this art with a spiritual essence. From the Ueshiba wellspring flows a number of streams—political splinter groups offering their own take on what aikido should be and how it should be practiced. Each branch may stand on its own, but a good number of scholars and practitioners prefer a more encompassing representation of what O-Sensei taught. So, chapters in these volumes help “put Humpty Dumpty back together again.” Volume I includes ten chapters and volume II another fourteen. The authors—twenty-three in all—present superb credentials as scholars and practitioners of aikido. On the academic side, you’ll find chapters that detail aikido’s philosophy, from ethical relationships and practical theory to the subtle spiritual dimension. A few authors highlight the circumstances regarding the transmission of aikido from teacher to student. Some authors show how culture influences the perception and understanding of aikido when it travels outside Japan. Aikido is often practiced as a system of body movement encompassing a philosophy of peace and harmony. Others may focus on learning the art for its effective methods of self-defense. Composed of material previously published in the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, this two-volume anthology is heavy on the technical aspects of aikido that both teachers and students would benefit by reading. Training methods are discussed in detail, supported by hundreds of illustrations of attack and defense. Whatever your primary interest is in aikido, Aikido: O-Sensei’s Sublime Synthesis will prove to be a great reference for the scholar and practitioner. We hope this convenient collection of quality material dealing with Morihei Ueshiba’s martial discipline will benefit your research and inspire the practice of this elegant art.

A needle may draw a thread through printed pages to bind a book. In this little memoir, I feel like a needle that drew a common thread though a segment of martial art history. This book details three interrelated activities: (1) martial art studies, (2) involvement as founder of Via Media Publishing, producing a quarterly journal and books, and (3) teaching martial arts. Publishers, writers, researchers and serious martial art practitioners will benefit with the detailed overview of Via Media and its publications. Via Media produced the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, known for its high academic and aesthetic standards. Its contents reflect the history of two decades and provides rich information for practitioners and scholars, making The Best Fighta valuable reference work. In addition to reading, the primary way to learn a martial art is through instruction. In reading about my studies and teaching experience, readers can relate to their own involvement in martial arts. What is important here is the portrayal of my instructors, their teaching methods, and reasons for being involved in martial arts. Their accounts should offer insights and inspiration for others who study and practice any martial art.

A leading American aikido teacher shows how this 20th-century martial art developed from the ancient spiritual traditions of Japan, not as a fighting method but rather as a means of becoming one with the laws of universal order.

Focus upon the universal human values, as expressed in Aikido, that O'Sensei wanted to convey and impart in his talks. The focus in this book is upon the universal human values, as expressed in Aikido, that O'Sensei wanted to convey and impart in his talks.

A study of the ethical and philosophical principles of Aikido, as envisioned by its founder Morihei Ueshiba, and how this unique martial art can deepen our connection to nature Here is a unique approach to the teachings of the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, as interpreted by his direct student of fifteen years. Mitsugi Saotome examines the spiritual philosophy of the Founder, the warrior ideals of feudal Japan as the basis of his martial arts philosophy, and the scientific principles underlying the philosophy of Aikido technique. The author shows that the physical movement of Aikido is the embodiment of principles of the spirit. Negative force is not countered with aggression but is controlled and redirected through the power and balance of spiral movement. This is the shape of Aikido and the dynamic shape at the foundation of all energies of existence. Aikido movement can only be understood from its roots in universal law and the processes of nature. The sincere practice and study of Aikido deepens our appreciation for the perfection of nature's balance and brings us back into harmony with our environment, other people, and ourselves. Abundantly illustrated with the author's drawings, diagrams, and calligraphies, as well as photographs demonstrating Aikido techniques, the book also offers a history of Aikido, personal anecdotes about the Founder, and translations of several of his lectures.

Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), founder of the Japanese martial art of Aikido, is one of the greatest and most beloved martial artists in history. Remembering O-Sensei is a portrait of Ueshiba as told by his uchi-deshi, the students who lived and trained with him as his disciples. This collection of memories--gathered here for the first time--captures the essence of this extraordinary martial arts master and visionary, revealing Ueshiba's teaching style, his daily habits, his philosophy of life, the lovably human aspects of his personality, and his deep belief that Aikido could be used as a means to creating peace and harmony in the world. The book also provides a snapshot of a fascinating time in Japanese history when a student would apprentice with his master by essentially moving in with him and receiving instruction through rigorous training sessions, and also by serving him and observing his actions in daily life. Most of the students whose remembrances are included in this book went on to spread the teaching of Aikido throughout the world and became masters in their own right.

This work, "Takemusu Aikido, Volume 1: Background & Basics," is the first of Morhiro Saito s new comprehensive series of Aikido technical manuals. Saito Sensei, 9th dan, and one of Aikido s leading experts, presents more than sixty variations of ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, and yonkyo techniques, the most essential of the art s basic forms. Illustrated with over 600 photographs and accompanied by clear and detailed step-by-step explanations, "Background & Basics" provides an indispensable guide for both beginning and advanced practitioners. Morihiro Saito, is the author of the highly acclaimed technical series, "Traditional Aikido," published in the early 1970s. Saito enrolled as a student of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba in 1946. One of the art s foremost technicians, he was the acknowledged authority on aikido weapons training. Saito operated Ueshiba s private dojo in Iwama, Japan and served as guardian of the Aiki Shrine for more than 30 years. He traveled extensively throughout the world teaching his comprehensive aikido training methods for three decades.Stanley A. Pranin is a 5th degree black belt and editor-in-chief of "Aikido Journal." Pranin began Aikido practice in 1962 and started training under Morihiro Saito in Iwama in 1977. He served as Saito Sensei s interpreter at numerous international seminars during the 1980s. Pranin is the author of "The Aiki News Encyclopedia of Aikido" and "Aikido Pioneers - Prewar Era," a collection of interviews with early disciples of the Founder of Aikido.

Translations of Japanese text and oral lectures.

TRANSLATOR' S INTRODUCTION We would like to begin by thanking Doshu Ueshiba Kisshomaru and the Aikikai Foundation for making this family treasure available for publication. We also wish to express our appreciation to those teachers who gave their invaluable help in explaining difficult passages. Due to the historical nature of this work certain difficulties arose, especially in deciding to what degree we should try to produce clear and precise English. Any precise translation could easily become a personal translation, limiting the contents and range of the translator's individual understanding at this particular point in his or her training. Therefore, after consulting some of the highest Sensei in Aikido and other arts it was decided to strive for a translation that would both preserve the simplicity of the original expression and at the same time leave open to the reader at least the possibility of coming up with the broad set of ideas and associations indicated in the Japanese. This book appeared in 1933 and is the first published account of O-Sensei's art. Although not actually written down by him, it is a transcription of lectures and explanations which was later reviewed by the founder and approved as a teacher's manual. The political and historical context of the times should be kept in mind. No attempt has been made to edit the text. The original copy has O-Sensei's title which was simply "Budo Renshu", i.e. "Budo Training". Later the second Doshu annotated this with the word "Aikido". The Dojo decided on using the original name here despite the fact that most Japanese copies are entitled Aikijujutsu Ogi", or "The Secrets of Aikijujutsu". The latter is actually an interpretive heading used by the copyists. The original was hand-written and illustrated. Later this was copied out several times, using tracing paper to reproduce the illustrations. During this process errors easily crept in. By comparing various copies, most of the poems could be deciphered despite their flowerly writing style. However only a few of the tracing mistakes have been corrected here. In other cases the terms 'left' and 'right' had been reversed. This seems to be the result of confusing Nage's point of view Uke's. In this edition these obvious errors have been corrected to match the illustrations. The poems presented the biggest problems. Much effort was spent to offer the reader a translation which presents as closely as possible the same degree of lee- ay for interpretation, insight and error, as appears in the original. Two versions are offered. One reflects the 5-7-5-7-7 syllabic structure of five line, Japanese Waka poetry. Each line in English contains the same groups of words found in the corresponding line of Japanese. The second attempt is to put the poem into a somewhat clearer English syntax. Another interesting point about the poems is that not all of them are original compositions of O-Sensei. At least a few can be traced to other martial traditions. Please note that the parentheses indicate the insertion, for your reference, of a Japanese word used in the text for the preceding English word (except for a few cases in the technique section where O-Sensei used parentheses in the original). Square brackets are the translator's insertions for the sake of the English. By simply deleting the sections enclosed by them, they allow readers to refer to O-Sensei's exact words, if they choose to do so. Although not for the beginner, it is hoped that access to this historically important text will be useful in understanding Aikido and its origins for those who have taken Budo as their 'Way'. Larry E. Bieri Seiko Mabuchi