FREE THE HEART OF AIKIDO: THE PHILOSOPHY OF TAKEMUSU AIKI PDF Morihei Ueshiba,John Stevens,Hideo Takahashi | 144 pages | 15 Jul 2013 | Kodansha America, Inc | 9781568365145 | English | London, United States Morihiro Saito - Wikipedia Saito's practice of aikido spanned 56 years, from the age of 18, when he first met aikido founder Morihei Ueshibauntil his death in In the Japanese schools at that time, the martial arts of kendo and judo were taught to students, and Saito chose to study kendo. In the years immediately following the end of World War IIthe carrying The Heart of Aikido: The Philosophy of Takemusu Aiki weapons of any kind, as well the practice of martial arts, was prohibited by the GHQ. After a short time, his work with the Japanese National Railways transferred him to Iwamaand he was forced to find other martial arts training. Thinking judo would be a useful complement to his kendo and karate skills, he began training at a judo dojo in Ishioka. In the The Heart of Aikido: The Philosophy of Takemusu Aiki ofhowever, Saito heard stories about an "old man doing strange techniques up on the mountain near Iwama. By Julythe GHQ-imposed ban upon the practice of martial arts had forced Morihei Ueshiba into an official "retirement" from practice for several years. It was at this time, at the age of 18, that Saito joined Ueshiba for training, which already included then live-in students Kisshomaru UeshibaKoichi Toheiand Tadashi Abe. This early training was quite brutal, but after persevering for several years, Saito became one of Ueshiba's closest students. Much credit is given to the fortuitous work schedule Saito had with the Japanese National Railways, where Saito worked 24 hours on, 24 hours off. As a result, Saito had the unique opportunity to train with Ueshiba in the practice of the sword and short staff, which occurred early each morning before the other students arrived. Training at the Iwama dojo consisted of a great deal of farmwork. The life of the full-time live in students consisted of prayer each morning before sunrise, two meals of rice porridge each The Heart of Aikido: The Philosophy of Takemusu Aiki, and training interspersed with copious amounts of work on the farm. As a result of Saito's 24 hours on, 24 hours off, position with the National Railway meant that he would train and live as a live-in student only every other 24 hours. Eventually, the other live-in students moved away, and when Saito returned from work, he would train alone with Ueshiba. Although other students such as Koichi Tohei trained with Ueshiba for more years than Saito did, Saito's work allowed him to train almost as an uchideshifor long periods as the only student. Before his death Ueshiba gave Morihiro Saito the responsibility of carrying on the teaching at the Iwama dojo and also the position of caretaker of the Aiki Jinja located in Iwama. Saito's instruction of aikido is particularly remembered for its emphasis upon the basics of aikido, and especially upon the relationship between the armed and unarmed aspects of the art. Kazuo Chibaa live-in student uchideshi of Ueshiba at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, recalled in particular the intensity of the training that occurred at the Iwama dojo. A large portion of the membership at Iwama Dojo consisted of local farmers, hard workers who spent all day in the fields. Altogether, it was quite an opposite culture from Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. Any members who came to visit Iwama Dojo from Hombu must have looked pale and weak from city living to Iwama members. Indeed, the Iwama students treated us from Hombu as such and challenged us vigorously. It was a matter of survival for members from Hombu Dojo, including Hombu uchideshi like myself. And Saito Sensei was on top of that mountain, which we had to climb with all our might. Apparently, this rigorous training with Saito, which Ueshiba would often observe, also included intense conditioning exercises, as well as general farmwork that students at the Iwama dojo were expected to assist with. Other students of Saito attest to his commitment to carry on Ueshiba's legacy, and to follow and preserve Ueshiba's teachings as Saito had learned them. He also advocated training to cope with the attacks of other martial arts, such as the kicks practiced in karate. According to Saito's son, Hitohiro Saito now HitohiraSaito believed that the basis of all empty-handed, sword, and staff techniques was the mastery of aikido's basic posture hanmi. Saito believed that once the correct posture was mastered, the next step was to develop a proper kiai sometimes translated as "spirit shout". The Heart of Aikido: The Philosophy of Takemusu Aiki the beginning of the s, aikido students from outside Japan began traveling to Iwama to train under Saito. Later they would return to their native countries to teach what they had learned. There were also a small number of Japanese students of Saito who travelled abroad to teach Aikido, such as Takayasu-shihan. The kind of aikido that Saito's students do is often referred to as Iwama aikido or Iwama style. In Europe, Saito, along with many of his students, formed a dan- ranking network of dojos called Iwama Ryuwith ranks received directly from Saito rather than or in addition to those from the Aikikai although Saito never left that organization. Saito also awarded teaching certifications for Aiki-weapons bokken and jo internationally. Receipt of the full set of The Heart of Aikido: The Philosophy of Takemusu Aiki weapons certifications is considered the menkyo-kaiden. Saito Sensei also inspired many around the world to establish dojo that focus on Iwama Style Aikido. Some The Heart of Aikido: The Philosophy of Takemusu Aiki, like Aikido The Heart of Aikido: The Philosophy of Takemusu Aiki Fredericksburghave full-time uchideshi programs based on what Saito Sensei developed at the Iwama Dojo. Uchideshi can do short-term intensive studies short stay or long-term apprenticeships for a year or more to fully immerse in the training. Some of the Iwama Ryu network dojos joined Hitohiro while others including some of Saito's longest students chose to remain affiliated with the Aikikai. Hitohiro had already been the main instructor at Iwama dojo. Like the Aikikai Doshuhe does not claim a dan rank. This short list was chosen based on several criteria including: the rank of the instructor, how long they studied directly with Saito total time in Iwamahow long they were a student of Saito total time since becoming his student and how senior they are in their given region. This list shows the ranks Morihiro Saito personally awarded in his life under both the Iwama Ryu and Aikikai systems. Note: Morihiro Saito never awarded any 8th dan rankings. For some instructors the current rank is also shown, since some of them continued teaching through other organizations i. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Encyclopedia of Aikido. Archived from the original on Retrieved Aiki News. Aikido Journal. Aikido Silicon Valley. Evenas Sensei". Aikido Institute. Archived from the original on April 13, Retrieved April 9, Categories : births deaths Japanese aikidoka. Namespaces Article Talk. Views Read Edit View history. Help Learn to edit Community portal Recent changes Upload file. Download as PDF Printable version. Shihan9th dan. Patricia Hendricks current rank: Aikikai 7th dan. The Heart of Aikido: The Philosophy of Takemusu Aiki - Morihei Ueshiba - Google книги This book takes you deep into the heart of the spiritual teachings of Aikido in the words of Morihei himself. He speaks about the importance of self development through purification, kototama and breathing practices and explains why these are so important for our own spiritual awakening. By reading his words you gain valuable insights in how to practice and how to take your own current practice to a deeper place. This book is therefore a must read for any kind of spiritual practitioner or teacher no matter if it is Aikido or the system of Reiki. Below are just a couple of gems which can be found in this wonderful book,a book which you could read over and over again to get what he is really saying. The Heart of Aikido: The Philosophy of Takemusu Aiki yourself first, then work to purify the world, and that will help the world to progress. Rites and ceremonies must be performed with sincerity; otherwise they are empty. Sincerity is the fusing of love [of self] to love [of others]. Do not chase after many techniques; practice one technique at a time and make each technique your own. If we refine our understanding of kototama, and perceive how kototama functions, we can begin to comprehend existence itself. And not just in our own limited sphere, but The Heart of Aikido: The Philosophy of Takemusu Aiki entire cosmos, as mapped out in our ancient chronicles. As there is no concrete written material by Mikao Usui, the founder of the system of Reiki, it is very valuable to look at like-minded people from his era who were also teaching spiritual practices. This will help us to get a clearer idea of what was taught and practiced at that time in Japan and therefore creates a clearer picture of what the system of Reiki is about and how to take your Reiki practices a step closer to Japanese spiritual philosophies. Visit the Courses page to find a course near you. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.