The Art of Peace
![The Art of Peace [Book]](http://www.aikindo.com/images/The_Art_of_Peace.jpg "The Art of Peace by Morihei Ueshiba")
The Art of Peace (Book)
“You do not have to be an Aikido practitioner or martial artist to appreciate the inspiring messages presented in Ueshiba’s words. Ueshiba believed that the real way of the warrior is based on the compassion, wisdom, fearlessness, and love of nature, and thus his teachings are not strictly for the warrior, they are for the human race.”—Qi Journal
“This book is a ‘must’ for all students of O’sensei’s philosophy and hence—I would say—for all Aikidoka.”—Aikido Today
Book Description
The real way of the warrior is based on compassion, wisdom, fearlessness, and love of nature. So taught the great Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969), founder of the Japanese martial art of Aikido. Aikido is a disciple Ueshiba called the “Art of Peace.” It offers a nonviolent way to victory in the face of conflict, and he believed that Aikido principles could be applied to all the challenges we face in life—in personal and business relationships, as well as in our interactions with society. These succinct and pithy teachings are drawn from his talks and writings. The collection is compiled by the renowned modern Aikidoist John Stevens, a disciple of Ueshiba.
Rock and Roll Aikido Techniques
by Dave “Rock and Roll wishes it could forget me” Shaw
The following techniques are modern variations of some of the classical Aikido techniques, utilizing some crossover from the budo of Rock and Roll. These are merely a sampling, further exposition of this approach (preferably done with loud music and lots of alcohol) should yield a set of techniques that is nearly limitless. Please feel free to add your own at any time.
Born to be Wild Irimi Nage – Begins with uke trying to kick-start nage’s motorcycle, with nage approaching from the front, slightly to one side. As uke comes down on the starter, nage steps in and applies atemi to uke’s midsection. Uke will normally double over, then start to straighten back up, at which point nage applies a strong sokumen irimi nage, forcing uke off the back of the bike. Read more
Aikido History
Morihei Ueshiba, founder of aikido.
Aikido was created by Morihei Ueshiba (14 December 1883-26 April 1969), referred to by some aikido practitioners as O sensei (“Great Teacher”). Ueshiba envisioned aikido not only as the synthesis of his martial training, but also an expression of his personal philosophy of universal peace and reconciliation. During Ueshiba’s lifetime and continuing today, aikido has evolved from the koryu (old-style martial arts) that Ueshiba studied into a wide variety of expressions by martial artists throughout the world.
Initial development
Ueshiba developed aikido primarily during the late 1920s through the 1930s through the synthesis of the older martial arts that he had studied. The core martial art from which aikido derives is Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu, which Ueshiba studied directly with Takeda Sokaku, the revivor of that art. Additionally, Ueshiba is known to have studied Tenjin Shin’yo-ryu with Tozawa Tokusaburo in Tokyo in 1901, Gotoha Yagyu Shingan-ryu under Nakai Masakatsu in Sakai from 1903 to 1908, and judo with Kiyoichi Takagi (Takagi Kiyoichi, 1894-1972) in Tanabe in 1911.
The art of Daito-ryu is the primary technical influence on aikido. Along with empty-handed throwing and joint-locking techniques, Ueshiba incorporated training movements with weapons, such as those for the spear (yari), short staff (jo), and perhaps the bayonet (juken). However, aikido derives much of its technical structure from the art of swordsmanship (kenjutsu).
