The Philosophy of Aikido

(Writing on aikido is usually a fog of esoteric maxims and...)

Writing on aikido is usually a fog of esoteric maxims and cryptic teachings. Some people like it that way. But aikido practitioners have long felt the need for a book that would explain in simple and ordinary terms the philosophy that shapes the art they enjoy. This is that book.Everyone from beginners to advanced students will find this book enlightening. It traces the influences on aikido of Shinto, Tantra, Shingon Buddhism, Omoto-kyo esotericism, Christianity, Western mystical systems such as alchemy, and modern scientific thought. It also describes the relationship of aikido to health and healing, to the visual arts, to conflict resolution, and to issues of global environmental responsibility.The Philosophy of Aikido is an indispensable source of information for anyone who wants to know more about how aikido came to be, and what its implications are for the world now and in the future. The author is the foremost non-Japanese expert in the field and well known for the wealth of information and straightforward language his books offer. The informative text is supported by 70 black-and-white illustrations of ukiyo-e, calligraphy and photographs from the author's extensive collection.

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The Way of Judo: A Portrait of Jigoro Kano and His Students

(Kodokan judo, one of the most well-known martial arts in ...)

Kodokan judo, one of the most well-known martial arts in the world today, was originated by Jigoro Kano (1860–1938). Kano was a martial artist and career educator who developed the art after studying several types of jujutsu, sumo, and Western wrestling. Openness and refinement were hallmarks of his personal and professional style, and he relentlessly searched for the best way to practice, teach, and perform techniques. This biography shows how Kano saw judo as a vehicle not just for self-defense, but for physical, spiritual, and moral development as well. His teachings clearly emphasize his ideal of judo as a way of self-cultivation that leads to physical health, ethical behavior, and ultimately a better society. Kano was a tireless activist who promoted the practical application of judo’s principles in all realms of life—in one’s personal behavior, for education, in work, for economic benefit, and in both the local and international political arenas. Kano’s students were a colorful, sometimes notorious bunch, and this book reveals how several went on to become famous—or infamous—in their own right. They include a prime minister of Japan, the leader of the Communist party in China, a famous novelist, a spy, high-level military leaders, and a media mogul, among many others. The author, John Stevens, gives a fascinating account of Kano’s life and times, his teachings, and his interaction with his students.

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(Sacred Calligraphy of the East) Author: John Stevens published on (February, 2013)

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By John Stevens - Aikido: The Way of Harmony (1984-04-27) Paperback

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Budo Secrets: Teachings of the Martial Arts Masters

(In budo—which can be translated as "the way of brave and ...)

In budo—which can be translated as "the way of brave and enlightened activity"—martial arts and spirituality merge at the highest level of skill. Budo Secrets contains the essential teachings of budo's greatest masters of Kendo, Karate, Judo, Aikido, and other disciplines. Timely and instructive, these writings are not just for martial artists—they're for anyone who wants to live life more courageously, with a greater sense of personal confidence and self-control, and with a deeper understanding of others. John Stevens has gathered an eclectic and historically rich collection of teachings that include principles and practice guidelines from training manuals and transmission scrolls, excerpts of texts on budo philosophy, and instructional tales gathered from a number of sources. Since many of the martial arts masters were also fine painters and calligraphers and used brush and ink as a teaching medium, Stevens has included their artwork throughout with explanation and commentary.

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Sacred Calligraphy of the East by John Stevens (2013-02-28)

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The Sword of No-Sword: Life of the Master Warrior Tesshu

(Master swordsman, calligrapher, and Zen practitioner, Yam...)

Master swordsman, calligrapher, and Zen practitioner, Yamoaka Tesshu is a seminal figure in martial arts history. John Stevens's biography is a fascinating, detailed account of Tesshu's remarkable life. From Tesshu's superhuman feats of endurance and keen perception in life-threatening situations, to his skillful handling of military affairs during the politically volatile era of early nineteenth-century Japan, Stevens recounts the stories that have made Tesshu a legend. This is the book all martial artists must own.

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Three Budo Masters: Jigaro Kano (Judo), Gichin Funakoshi (Karate), Morihei Ueshiba (Aikido) (Kodansha Biographies)

(This text presents a comparative study of the lives of th...)

This text presents a comparative study of the lives of the founders of judo, karate and aikido, and their profound influence on modern society.

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Invincible Warrior: Pictorial Biography of Morihei Ueshiba by John Stevens (1997-09-27)

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Extraordinary Zen Masters: A Maverick, a Master of Masters, and a Wandering Poet

( Extraordinary Zen Masters: A Maverick, a Master of Mast...)

Extraordinary Zen Masters: A Maverick, a Master of Masters, and a Wandering Poet tells the life stories of Ikkyu (1394-1481), Hakuin (1686-1768), and Ryokan (1758-1831). Each was an outstanding figure who manifested Zen in his own way. Ikkyu was unconventional and uncompromising, a relentless enemy of the sham and hypocrisy that pervaded the religious circles of his day. Hakuin under­went a lengthy and strenuous apprenticeship to become a Master Teacher of Zen, training hundreds of disciples and insisting that they endure the same trials and surmount the same massive barri­ers that he had. Ryokan, in contrast, was a gentle, self-effacing recluse who never became an abbot but lived in quiet hermitages, savor­ing nature and writing poetry. All three were artists of the highest order, employing brush, ink, and paper as a means of transmitting Zen teachings and creating unique works of art. These are three of the greatest Zen mas­ters in history-each unique, each an outstanding artist, and each a teacher of future generations. The biographies of these three men, in one volume, constitute an enlivening reading experience, full of insight on leading a meaningful life. John Stevens lived in Japan for thirty-five years, where he was a professor of Buddhist studies at Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai. Stevens is a widely respected translator, an ordained Buddhist priest, a curator of several major exhibitions of Zen art, and an aikido instructor. He has authored more than thirty books and is one of the foremost Western experts on aikido, holding a ranking of 7th dan Aikikai. Stevens has also studied calligraphy for decades, authoring the classic Sacred Calligraphy of the East. Other John Stevens titles that are likely to be of interest include The Philosophy of Aikido, and The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei.

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Aikido: The Way of Harmony Paperback - April 12, 1984

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One Robe, One Bowl: The ZEN Poetry of Ryo-Kan by John Stevens (2006-06-02)

(Brand New. In Stock. Will be shipped from US. Excellent C...)

Brand New. In Stock. Will be shipped from US. Excellent Customer Service.

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Invincible Warrior Stevens, John ( Author ) { Paperback } 1999

(Invincible Warrior BY Stevens, John ( Author ) { Paperbac...)

Invincible Warrior BY Stevens, John ( Author ) { Paperback } 1999

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The Way of Judo: A Portrait of Jigoro Kano and His Students by John Stevens (2013-09-15)

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The Sword of No-Sword: Life of the Master Warrior Tesshu by John Stevens (2001-08-28)

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Abundant Peace

(Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), the founder of Aikido—whose ...)

Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), the founder of Aikido—whose name means "abundant peace"—was "undoubtedly the greatest martial artist who ever lived," according to his biographer, John Stevens. "Even if we accept every exploit of all the legendary warriors, East and West, as being literally true, none of those accomplishments can be compared to Morihei's documented ability to disarm any attacker, throw a dozen men simultaneously, and down and pin opponents without touching them, recorded scores of times in photographs, on film, and by personal testimony." How did the diminutive master—barely five feet tall—attain this uncanny power? In Abundant Peace, John Stevens tells the real story behind Morihei's achievement, illuminating the man and his message in a way that will delight and stimulate the reader. Focusing on the how and why of Morihei's career, Stevens describes the people, events, and ideas that influenced his lifelong spiritual quest, which culminated in the unique teachings of Aikido. Illustrated with photographs of Morihei in action and filled with revealing anecdotes about his life and times, the book also offers a valuable discussion of the Founder's conception of Aikido as a path of harmony and love, unifying mind and body, self and others, man and the universe.

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Three Budo Masters: Kano, Funakoshi, Ueshiba (Kodansha Biographies) by John Stevens (1995-02-06)

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Morihei Ueshiba,John Stevens,Moriteru Ueshiba'sThe Heart of Aikido: The Philosophy of Takemusu Aiki Hardcover(2010)

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Sacred Calligraphy of the East

( Throughout the East, writing is held to be a gift from ...)

Throughout the East, writing is held to be a gift from the gods, and the divinely inspired letters and characters are objects of the highest veneration. The religious significance of calligraphy has thus led to a unique development of the art of brush and ink in Japan, China, India, and Tibet. This beautifully illustrated book covers such topics as the history and spirit of Eastern calligraphy, the art of copying religious texts, the biographies of important Zen calligraphers, and practical instructions on materials and techniques for the contemporary student. No knowledge of the languages discussed is required for the reader to appreciate the study of this ancient practice. John Stevens lived in Japan for thirty-five years, where he was a professor of Buddhist studies at Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai. Stevens is a widely respected translator, an ordained Buddhist priest, a curator of several major exhibitions of Zen art, and an aikido instructor. He has authored over thirty books and is one of the foremost Western experts on Aikido, holding a ranking of 7th dan Aikikai. Stevens has also studied calligraphy for decades, authoring this classic Sacred Calligraphy of the East. Other John Stevens titles that are likely to be of interest include The Philosophy of Aikido, Extraordinary Zen Masters, and The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei.

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Extraordinary Zen Masters: A Maverick, a Master of Masters, and a Wandering Poet by John Stevens (2013-02-28)

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(The Philosophy of Aikido) Author: John Stevens published on (February, 2013)

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Zen Bow, Zen Arrow: The Life and Teachings of Awa Kenzo, the Archery Master from Zen in the Art of Archery (Paperback) - Common

(Here are the inspirational life and teachings of Awa Kenz...)

Here are the inspirational life and teachings of Awa Kenzo (1880-1939), the Zen and kyudo (archery) master who gained worldwide renown after the publication of Eugen Herrigel's cult classic "Zen in the Art of Archery" in 1953. Kenzo lived and taught at a pivotal time in Japan's history, when martial arts were practiced primarily for self-cultivation, and his wise and penetrating instructions for p...

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Abundant Peace

( Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), the founder of Aikido--who...)

Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), the founder of Aikido--whose name means "abundant peace"--was undoubtedly the greatest martial artist who ever lived. As John Stevens, the author of this penetrating biography puts it, "even if we accept every exploit of all the legendary warriors, East and West, as being literally true, none of those accomplishments can be compared to Morihei's documented ability to disarm any attacker, throw a dozen men simultaneously, and down and pin opponents without touching them." How did the diminutive master--barely five feet tall--attain this uncanny power? In Abundant Peace, John Stevens tells the real story behind Morihei's achievement, illuminating the man and his message in a way that will delight and stimulate the reader. Focusing on the how and why of Morihei's career, Stevens describes the people, events, and ideas that influenced his lifelong spiritual quest, which culminated in the unique teachings of Aikido. Illustrated with photographs of Morihei in action and filled with revealing anecdotes about his life and times, the book also offers a valuable discussion of the Founder's conception of Aikido as a path of harmony and love, unifying mind and body, self and others, man and the universe. John Stevens lived in Japan for 35 years, where he was a professor of Buddhist studies at Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai. A widely respected translator, ordained Buddhist priest, curator of several major exhibitions of Zen art, and an aikido instructor, he has authored more than thirty books and is one of the foremost Western experts on aikido, holding a ranking of 7th dan Aikikai

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Secrets of Aikido by John Stevens (1997-02-11)

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Training with the Master: Lessons with Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido

(Through an extraordinary collection of photographs, Train...)

Through an extraordinary collection of photographs, Training with the Master depicts the training methods and daily life of Morihei Ueshiba, the Founder of the martial art known as Aikido, or "the way of harmony." The photographs presented here were all taken in 1967 when Morihei was eighty four—at the summit of his career as a spiritual seeker and when the flower of his teaching was in full bloom. Most of these photographs are being made available to students for the first time. The first part of the book, "On the Mat with the Master," is a detailed photographic record of Morihei instructing his students. These photographs offer a precious opportunity for readers to see what it would have been like to train with the Master himself. The photographs in part two, "The Master Teaches the Way," depict Morihei in everyday life—entering a room, sitting in a relaxed yet dignified manner, chatting easily and joking with students, making a serious point, taking refreshment—manifesting the Way of Harmony naturally in all his actions. Part three, "The Art of Peace," contains the essence of Morihei's philosophy distilled from his collected talks. Also included is a short biography of Morihei as well as a section of suggestions for further reading for those who wish to have more detailed information on Morihei's life and teaching.

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Aikido: Way of Harmny

(Book by Stevens, John)

Book by Stevens, John

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The Philosophy of Aikido by John Stevens (2013-02-28)

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Budo Secrets: Teachings of the Martial Arts Masters by John Stevens (2002-11-12)

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Aikido: The Way of Harmony

(This definitive, profusely illustrated manual covers the ...)

This definitive, profusely illustrated manual covers the essential elements of the philosophy and practice of Aikido, the Japanese martial art that has been embraced by modern psychology and many Western bodywork therapies. Useful to the beginner and experienced practitioner alike, the book details the traditional methods and techniques of Shirata Rinjiro, of whom John Stevens is a principal student. Noted for the precise execution of a wide range of techniques and an emphasis on Aikido as a spiritual path, Shirata Sensei's teachings exemplify the way of the warrior: superior technical prowess combined with profound spiritual insight. In addition to photographs and descriptions of all the important Aikido techniques, Stevens recounts interesting and lively anecdotes about the history of Aikido and its founder, Ueshiba Morihei, who developed it from a martial art into a spiritual discipline. A biography of Shirata Sensei, complete with his reflections on sixty years of Aikido practice, is also included.

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The Art of Peace (Shambhala Classics) (Paperback) - Common

(Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, is renowned as one of the...)

Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, is renowned as one of the greatest martial artists of all time. After years as a soldier, a spiritual seeker, and a master of many martial traditions, he developed aikido as a way to cultivate peace and harmony in the world. The inspirational teachings gathered in this collection show that the real way of the warrior is based on compassion, wisdom, fearlessness, and

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Invincible Warrior by John Stevens (1997-09-30)

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Invincible Warrior: A Pictorial Biography of Morihei Ueshiba, the Founder of Aikido

(Invincible Warrior tells the fascinating story of the lif...)

Invincible Warrior tells the fascinating story of the life of Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), whose quest for the true meaning of warriorship lead to the creation of the martial art called Aikido, "The Art of Peace" Ueshiba-whose name means "abundant peace"-is considered by many to be one of the greatest martial artists who ever lived. His documented ability to disarm any attacker, throw a dozen men simultaneously, and down and pin opponents without touching them has accorded his life legendary status. Invincible Warrior presents the real story behind Morihei's achievement, illuminating the man and his message. Stevens describes the people, events, and ideas that influenced Ueshiba's lifelong spiritual quest, which culminated in the development of unique teachings of Aikido. Illustrated with two hundred photographs of Morihei in action and filled with revealing anecdotes about his life and times, Invincible Warrior also offers valuable discussion of the Founder's conception of Aikido as a path of harmony and love, unifying body and mind, self and others, humans and the universe.

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The Secrets of Aikido

(Aikido, the "Way of Peace," is a martial art aimed at har...)

Aikido, the "Way of Peace," is a martial art aimed at harmonizing the body and spirit with natural forces and universal laws. Stevens explores the hidden secrets and deeper dimensions of Aikido, especially its spiritual aspects as taught by its Founder, Morihei Ueshiba. Includes over 200 carefully selected photos, calligraphies, and other illustrations, including vintage photographs of the Founder himself.

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Zen Bow, Zen Arrow: The Life and Teachings of Awa Kenzo, the Archery Master from "Zen in the Art of Archery"

(Here are the inspirational life and teachings of Awa Kenz...)

Here are the inspirational life and teachings of Awa Kenzo (1880–1939), the Zen and kyudo (archery) master who gained worldwide renown after the publication of Eugen Herrigel's cult classic Zen in the Art of Archery in 1953. Kenzo lived and taught at a pivotal time in Japan's history, when martial arts were practiced primarily for self-cultivation, and his wise and penetrating instructions for practice (and life)—including aphorisms, poetry, instructional lists, and calligraphy—are infused with the spirit of Zen. Kenzo uses the metaphor of the bow and arrow to challenge the practitioner to look deeply into his or her own true nature.

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Zen Bow, Zen Arrow: The Life and Teachings of Awa Kenzo, the Archery Master from Zen in the Art of Archery by John Stevens (2007-03-31)

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John Stevens: Sacred Calligraphy of the East (Paperback); 2013 Edition

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