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()(For the first time in English, LThe Essence of AikidooL presents the profound philosophy of Aikidoo in MoriheiLs own words, disclosing many of the arcane secrets of AikidoLs aims and methods. Considered by many to be the greatest martial artist and spiritual teacher of the twentieth century, Morihei provides a wealth of clues to the often puzzling nature of the inseparable link between the physical and spiritual aspects of Aikidoo, revealing the heart of the peaceful warriorLs art.@^Elegantly translated and compiled by John Stevens, translator of MoriheiLs LBudooL, the first half of LThe Essence of AikidooL presents the most comprehensive collection of the writings of Morihei Ueshiba ever published. Key concepts in Aikidoo philosophy, such as Lkototama (language of the spirit)L and Lmisogi (purification of body and mind)L are discussed at length, profusely illustrated with MoriheiLs mystical diagrams, spiritual poems, and fascinating calligraphy.@^For Morihei, techniques were the means to express the spiritual principles of Aikidoo, and in the second half of LThe Essence of AikidooL, John Stevens focuses on MoriheiLs techniques. Over two hundred hitherto unpublished photos of Morihei in action from his earliest days as a teacher of the martial arts to his last years as a master of Aikidoo complete this detailed survey of the true nature of Aikidoo.@^A major contribution to a field that until recently has remained elusive to Western readers, LThe Essence of AikidooL is an inspiring study of the spiritual and physical elements in Aikidoo, providing an important resource for martial arts practitioners and philosophy students alike.@Morihei Ueshiba, born in Western Japan in 1883, is the founder of the popular martial art of Aikidoo. After mastering classical styles of juudoo, kendoo,, and juujutsu, he created Aikidoo, based on the spiritual teachings of the Oomoto-kyoo religion. After the Second World War, Morihei established the Aikikai Foundation to promote Aikidoo throughout the world. Morihei died in 1969. The translator and compiler, John Stevens, is a professor of Buddhist studies and Aikidoo instructor at Tohoku Fukushi Daigaku in Sendai, Japan. He is the translator of Morihei UeshibaLs seminal work, LBudooL, and the author of several books on Aikidoo and Buddhism.) |