- Paperback: 223 pages
- Publisher: Shambhala; 1 edition (July 22 1989)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0877734097
- ISBN-13: 978-0877734093
- Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 1.5 x 28 cm
- Shipping Weight: 699 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#748,623 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #55 in Books > Sports > Individual Sports > Martial Arts > Aikido
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Product Details |
Product Description
Review
"With the able assistance of editor Irene Wellington, Saotome has developed a series of clear and useful essays on how the traditional skills and habits of mind developed by the martial ways can be put to positive uses. . . . Saotome teases new meaning out of ossified terminology—or more to the point, restores original meaning to crusted-over concepts. And it is in such sections that the inherently fluid nature of thought rooted in the ideogram is most clearly conveyed."— In These Times
Product Description
Mitsugi Saotome—a principal student of Morihei Ueshiba, the Founder of Aikido—explains the philosophy and practice of the popular martial art, which emphasizes harmony and peaceful resolution of conflict. Over one thousand photographs illustrate the basic principles and techniques, including the use if the wooden sword, the wooden staff, and "empty hand" techniques. The reader is given guidance in the proper physical, mental, and spiritual attitudes with which to approach this practice and in ways to apply the wisdom of Aikido to everyday life. Also included are lectures by the founder himself.
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Above average,
By
This review is from: Principles of Aikido (Paperback)
I really enjoy this book. It's very well written. Just be sure you know your Aikido terminology because you will find yourself going back to the glossary often. There are many photos, however, more photos would have been nice. Some of the important in-between movements are left to the imagination, which could cause some confusion. But, it is a BOOK after all. Maybe a video featuring the same moves would better exemplify the techniques. There is some unintended humor here too. The somewhat egotistical sensai/author (who must ALWAYS be the nage and NEVER portrays the Uke, even after he exhaustively explains how important it is to be a good Uke) uses his daughter in several of the photo examples. Despite it's glaring weaknesses, I really like this book and would not part with it. It has a permanent place in my martial arts reference library. If you buy it, I don't think you will be disappointed.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Belongs on any Aikido Bookshelf,
By Saket Kulkarni (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Principles of Aikido (Paperback)
As the title states, this book is about the "Principles of Aikido". Saotome Sensei concisely yet clearly explains his personal view on the philosophy of Aikido and his insights into its spiritual nature. His account is insightful and yet very down to earth.Saotome Sensei takes his time to introduce the reader to the correct mentality of executing technique before introducing the techniques themselves. He has cleverly grouped the various armed and unarmed techniques by the principles they demonstrate, thus showing the reader the common thread between a variety of techniques and situations. This book will probably not be helpful to the beginning Aikido student, although the introductory sections give an excellent account of what Aikido is and what its philosophy and aims are. "The Principles of Aikido" is a must-read for Aikido practitioners who have two or more years experience behind them and is a veritable treasure-trove of insights. I have re-read it many times and each reading has, and continues to, cast a new and refreshing light on my training.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Belongs on any Aikido Bookshelf,
By Saket Kulkarni (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Principles of Aikido (Paperback)
As the title states, this book is about the "Principles of Aikido". Saotome Sensei concisely yet clearly explains his personal view on the philosophy of Aikido and his insights into its spiritual nature. His account is insightful and yet very down to earth.Saotome Sensei takes his time to introduce the reader to the correct mentality of executing technique before introducing the techniques themselves. He has cleverly grouped the various armed and unarmed techniques by the principles they demonstrate, thus showing the reader the common thread between a variety of techniques and situations. This book will probably not be helpful to the beginning Aikido student, although the introductory sections give an excellent account of what Aikido is and what its philosophy and aims are. "The Principles of Aikido" is a must-read for Aikido practitioners who have two or more years experience behind them and is a veritable treasure-trove of insights. I have re-read it many times and each reading has, and continues to, cast a new and refreshing light on my training.
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