Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 613.71
EAN num: 9780394714264
ISBN number: 0394714261
Label: Shambhala
Manufacturer: Shambhala
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 198
Printing Date: April 12, 1984
Publishing house: Shambhala
Release Date: April 12, 1984
Sale Popularity Level: 827456
Studio: Shambhala
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
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.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
This book was written in the mid-1980's, and it is very well done and shows a great degree of technical ability by the author. The pictures are actually quite well done and I especially liked the comparison between the sword techniques and the open-hand techniques, which is demonstrated quite clearly, although I felt that the accompanying text could have been a lot better detailed than what it was.
A real shining point for me in this book was all the historical and other relevant information that the other provides at the beginning of this book. I learned a few things that I didn't know, and actually cleared up a couple of misconceptions that I had on a few others. Well done!
Like many of my other reviews of various martial arts books, the only complaint that I really have, and it is a standard complaint for most martial arts books regardless of the subject, is that the author attempted to cover too many subjects in one book and as a result, didn't spend quite enough time on full explaining any of the techniques. Let alone all of the ones demonstrated and discussed in the book. There was more than enough "wasted space" in the book that could have been used to provide more detailed information, but alas it wasn't. This may have been due to the actions of the publisher more so than the author.
This book would not be a waste of money by any means, but a much better buy for your dollar would be this book; Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere: An Illustrated Introduction, or even this one; Dynamic Aikido (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior).
Shawn Kovacich
Martial Artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.
Rated by buyers -
Out of quite a few books about Aikido that I own this is the one I return to most often. What sets it apart from other books is the demonstration of fundamental aikido techniques both with and without bokken. It concentrates on a small, but representative number of techniques. These are explained very well. Quality counts more than quantity. I have used the book to devise training lessons.
Rated by buyers -
This book was actually recommended to me by a black-belt, Aikido student and I have never regretted it's purchase. I tend to study sword-styles, and Aikido offers several movements based on sword-fighting principals (as well as actual sword-fighting based on old samurai movements).
It also has a bit on the history of Aikido, breathing, meditation, the life of Ueshiba Morihei (the founder of Aikido) and a glossary of Japanese terms. The rest of the book is mostly dedicated to movements. All in all, this is a must-have for anyone even remotely interested in Aikido.
Rated by buyers -
It's by far one of the best books i've ever read on Aikido. This books shows all the basics of classique aikido.
Great book with very nice pictures.
Rated by buyers -
One of John Steven's early works that I am aware of on aikido, is also one of the better ones that I have acquired. The excellent photographs of the various techniques, which blend in the principle of swordmanship and spiritual elements of aikido are unmatched. These photos and the large page format are a leap from the martial arts books of the sixties and seventies. Ideally I would have liked to have seen a similar format follow-up book authored by John Stevens that takes more advantage of his knowledge of Eastern philosophy as can be experienced through aikido, but the other books he has written are good additions to read along with Aikido: The Way of Harmony. If you are looking to be introduced to aikido or want to give a gift that encompasses the art from the elementary to the advanced, this would be my pick. Stevens avoids getting to heavy on the Japanese terms and philosophy that might scare of the beginner. The sad part about the book is knowing that Shirata Rinjiro recently passed away.
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