Mitsugi Saotome

from cover

Mitsugi Saotome has devoted his life to teh study andtesaching of Aikido, a martial art of peace and beauty. He is apersonal disciple of Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei, the art's founder.

From 1960 to 1975, Saotome Sensei taught at Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo. In 1975, he left Japan to come to the United States, where he founded Aikido Schools of Ueshiba-an international Aikido organization whose headquarters is Aikido Shobukan Dojo in Washington DC.

Saotome Sensei's previous books include Aikido and the Harmony of Nature (Shambhala Publications) and The Principles of Aikido (Shamphala Publications). He is also featured on six videos produced by Aikido Today Magazine: The Principles of Aikido, The Sword of Aikido, Two Swords of Aikido, the Staff of Aikido, Takemusu Aiki, and Oyo Henka.

Contents

Wood & Stone
Cloth
Paper & Ink
Living Things… (mehr)

(from cover)

'Aikido teaches a simple secret: the development of a better life is dependanet on bettering yourself. Aikido offers no miracles except the miracle of yur own existence and your human potential. Remember that you are a part of the universe. To ruin your life or waste it is to ruin a piece of the universe. With your birth you hold the key that opens the door to heaven. The most important duty in each person's life is to use that key and to make his or her life a manifestation of the heaven that it lies within oukr power ot create.'--Mitsugi Saotome

Mitsugi Saotome-a principle 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 of 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.

Mistugi Saotome is currently master instructor of the Washington, DC, Aikidai. He also travels to associated dojos of the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba throughout the country, as well as to Europe to lead seminars and training camps.

Contents

Editor's Note, Achnowledgment
1 Introduction
2 Practicing Basic Techniques: Training Mental Attitude and Vision
3 Musubi
4 Ukemi
5 The Sword and the Spirit of Ikkyo
6 Techniques from Shomenuchi
7 Techniques from Yokomenuchi
8 Techniques from Katadori
9 Techniques from Munetsuki
10 Techniques from Katatedori
11 Techniques from Ryotemochi
12 Techniques from Kosadori and Ushirowaza
13 Advanced Techniques
14 Budo: The Original Principle of Aikido
15 The Meaning of Study
16 Aikido as Explained by the Founder and Doshu
17 Mirror of the Spirit: The Aikido Dojo
18 Lectures by O Sensei
19 The Hakama and Its Meaning
20 Beginning the Journey Toward Awakened Consciousness
21 Aikido: Finding Its Future in Its Past
Glossary, About the Author… (mehr)

'Aikido and the Harmony of Nature' reveals the profound philosophoical and ethical principles embodied in the art of Aikido and relates those pinciples to the laws of nature. It is among the clearest, deepest, and most inspiring books ever written on Aikido or, for that matter, on any martial art.'-Susan Perry, Editor-in-chief, 'Aikido Today Magazine' Here is a unique approach to the teachings of the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, as interpreted by his direct student for fifteen years. Mitsugi Saotome examines the spiritual philosophy of the founder, the warrior ideals of feudal Japan as the basis of his martial arts philosophy, and the scientific principles underlying the philosophy of Aikido technique. The author shows that the physical movement of Aikdo is the embodiment of principles of the spirit. Negative force is not countered with aggression but is controlled and redirected through the power and balance of spiral movement. This is the shape of Aikido and the dynamic shape at the foundaiton of all energies of existence. Aikido movement can only be understood from its roots in universal law and the processes of nature. The sincere practice and study of Aikido deepens our appreciaton for the perfection of nature's balance and brings us back into harmony with our environment, other oepple, and ourselves. Abundantly illustrated with the author's drawings, diagrams, and calligraphies, as well as photographs demonstrating Aikido techniques, the book also offers a history of Aikido, personal anecdotes about the Founder, and translations of several of his lectures. Mitsugi Saotome Sensei is the founder and the chief instructor at the Aikido Shobukan Dojo in Washington, DC.

Contents

Chapter 1 History of the Founder
Chapter 2 Kannagara No Michi
Chapter 3 Beginning of the Universe
Chapter 4 Perspective on Truth
Chapter 5 The Harmony of Nature's Justice
Chapter 6 The Justice of Nature's Harmony
Chapter 7 Aggression and the Evolution of Bujutsu
Chapter 8 Budo: The Education of Instinct
Chapter 9 Aikido Transmission of Truthk
Chapter 10 Ki and Kokyu
Chapter 11 Marubashi: The Elements of Reality
Chapter 12 The Training Process
Chapter 13 Education of an Uchi Deshi
Chapter 14 The Dojo: Spiritual Oasis… (mehr)

Mitsugi Saotome Presidentof Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
1937-Born in Tokyo. Resides in florida.
1954, October-joined the Kuwamori Dojo under the instruction of Doshu Kisshomaru and Seigo Yamaguchi.
1961, April-became an official uchi deeshi at Hombu Dojo under Aikido's Founder Morihei Ueshiba.
1975, May-came to America to spread the teachings of Aikido. Active in the USA, Canada, and France. Initially established Aikido Schools of Ueshiba as an independent organization. In January, 1988, ASU was officially recognized by the Aikido Hombu Dojo Federation.

Contents

Preface
One: The founding of Aikido
Morihei Ueshiba, the Founder of Aikido
Aikido is space science expressed as a martial art
The second aikido doshu, Kisshomaru Ueshiba Sensei
Preserving aikido's origins
Two: The universe as life giver-The womb of life
The eternally active universe
Emptiness is the origin of all form
The universe realizes itself in the generation of matter from emptiness
Aiki is the embodiment of universal law
Survival requires endeavor
Humanity's most important duty: Ensuring the coninuation and prosperity of life on earth
Discovering the agency of the universe within-The universe is the cause of animate life
From Geo-centric theory to a broad perspective based on organic life-How the universe is the irreducible agency of harmony
The phenomenon of life is driven by a greater order
The realization of divine love and the hidden secets of the martial arts comes through discovery of the wellspring of life
Three: The mission of the martial way
Martial discipline is the essence of culture
Culture is a product of martial discipline
Bushido is a practice, not an idea
The deeper meaning of budo
Martial training and etiquette
The warrior's mind
The history of Japan's warrior class
Military power during the warring states era
Martial order in the time of peace: Culture and the martial arts
The spirit of bushido as the driver of the Meiji Restoration
From bujitsu to budo
Oral teachings of the founder: The mission of the warrior
Four: Aikido as a martial art
Beyond technique
Oral teachings of the founder: the fulfillment of one's mission as bestowed by heaven
Oral teachings from the founder: Aikido and Iwatobirake
Oral teachings from the founder: Waza based on aiki are circular
Oral teachings from the founder: The internalization of wisdom, benevolence, and courage
Sword and empty-handed techniques as front and back of the same teachng
Absolute equanimity within relative existence
Five: Attunement to universal will-What is to be expected of aikido practitioners
The importance of ukemi
Irimi-tenkan: Entering into harm's way
Shu-ha-ri
Offense and defense as one
Humility and concern for others
Toward self-transcendence: Blending with the workings of nature
Rules and guidelines to be followed during training
The significance of training with weapons
Embodying the martial way as an everyday way of being
Observe the workings of heaven and earth
Building a world of beauty
Six: Discoveing the true nature of the world-Conversations with O-Sensei
Transcending individual consciousness
Growth through training and cultivation of mind
Man does not live to eat
Always ready and aware
All is to be found within
The quelling of one's aggressions
Finding value in training
Etiquette as a spiritual discipline
Human fallacy and the ability to use anything as a wapon
When self and universe become as one
Seven: Japan's place in the world
What it means to live in an International society
Imparting direction and confidence to the yonger generation
Indetermination and vagueness in Japaneses expression
Flexibility and the Japanese mind
Is learnng from example just imitation?
Awe of nature inspires consideration for others
The world of intuition that is beyond words
Bringing samurai consciousness back into the world of today
What the world can learn from the Japanese example
Epilogue: In a foreign land
The fruits of my ambitions
Aikido and grass root diplomacy
Two kinds of flowers
The perpetuity of the human lineage
About the author… (mehr)