The Spirit of Aikido

Suitable for those who is interested in finding out what makes Aikido so multi-dimensional, or one who would like to understand its ancient roots, this book gives the reader an understanding of the essence of Aikido, and to explain the aspirations and motivations of the true practitioners of Aikido.

Kisshomaru Ueshiba is considered the embodiment of the essence of aikido, as inherited from his father, Morihei Ueshiba, akido''s founder. The Spirit of Aikido is Kisshomaru Ueshiba''s masterpiece, a seminal work on the discipline itself, and on martial arts overall. In his classic discourse, Ueshiba concisely explains the philosophy and techniques of this modern Japanese martial art, which offers a key to living naturally and unselfishly in a complicated world. Long available in paperback, The Spirit of Aikido will now be published in a hardcover edition, with new photos and a preface by the author''s son, Moriteru Ueshiba, the third and current Aikido Doshu (headmaster). Aikido - a modern Japanese martial art unique in its synthesis of classic forms with a well-defined spiritual base - offers a key to the art of living naturally and unselfishly in a complicated world. This book explains it in reference to the founder''s philosophy of mind - and action. In addition, the history of aikido''s prewar development as a noncompetitive new martial art is described in the context of its international role.