The Spirit of Aikido

Long available in paperback, The Spirit of Aikido will now be published in a hardcover edition, with new photos and a preface by Moriteru Ueshiba, the third and present Aikido Doshu (headmaster) and the author’s son.

Aikido—a modern Japanese martial art unique in its synthesis of classic forms with a well-defined spiritual base — offers a key to the art of living naturally and unselfishly in a complicated world. This book explains it in reference to the founder's philosophy of mind — and action. In addition, the history of aikido's prewar development as a noncompetitive new martial art is described in the context of its international role.Kisshomaru Ueshiba became master of the Aikido World Headquarters in 1948, and in 1967 was named chairman of the Aikikai Foundation, the principal aikido organization in Japan and overseas. He was formally appointed his father’s successor in 1969. Kisshomaru Ueshiba was the author of the books The Art of Aikido and A Life in Aikido; and was the co-author of Best Aikido. He also wrote the introduction to Budo by his father, Morihei Ueshiba. Kisshomaru Ueshiba died in 1999.