(from the dust jacket) From February 1961 to March 1962, I traveled in Hawaii and California where I tried to popularize Aikido. I was happy to learn that my first volume in English on Aikido had attracted a large number of readers among those who were practicing the art as well as many others. At the same time, many persons asked me, 'Would you bring out on your next visit here a handbook to enable us to explain briefly what Aikido is and what its salient features are? We ourselves understand Aikido techniques and principles but we have difficulty in explaining them to others. This book is the answer to those request. The purpose of Aikido lies not in trying to make people strong in the arts of self-defense but in helping them learn the eternal truths that form the basis of Aikido and manifest themselves in Aikido practice. Aikdio helps the individual to attain the greatest heights of human personality, cleanse his mental and spiritual environment and help to make the world a brighter place in which to live. I shall be happy if this book can in some measure help the reader in attaining the objectives of Aikido. About the author... Born in Tokyo in 1920. In 1932, he became a pupil of Judo and continued it until he entered the Headquarters Dojo (Arena) of aikido. No sooner was he greduated from the Keio University; Course of Economics, then he enlisted for military service to take part in the war in Central China. During the battles at various fronts, he always made an effort to train himself to understand Aiki so as not to be mentally influenced under the hail of bullets. After World War II, he returned to Professor Uyeshiba's Dojo where he applied what he had gained at the front lines to the Aikido arts, devoting himself day and night to intense training. In 1952, he was conferred the 8th rank, then in May, 1960, the 9th rank, the highest in Aikido. In 1953, 1955, and 1959 he went abroad to the United States, and while at Hawaii, he was made an Honorary Captain of teh Honolulu Force. In the early part of 1961, he accompanied Professor Uyeshiba to the United States, and stayed for some time in Hawaii, California, and elsewhere to give instructions regarding the arts of Aikido. He is at present the chief instructor at the Headquarters of Aikido in Tokyo, Japan. Contents Foreword What is Aikido? Principles of Ki The One Point The Arts of Aikido Professor Morihei Uyeshiba About the Author

This is Tohei Sensei's second book. In the first chapter he teaches us what Aikido is. The 2nd chapter he explains Ki and then the one point. The rest of the book explains the technical side of Aikido, complete with photos. Tohei Sensei takes us through each technique with both explanations and photo's. this is one of the best book on Aikido I have thus far read. ( )