Book Review: The Philosophy of Aikido

John Stevens. Kodansha International, 2001

John Stevens is a well known author of over 30 books on Aikido, Buddhism, Zen and Asian culture. He is also a Professor of Buddhist studies and an Aikido instructor.

The book has a foreword from Moriteru Ueshiba, Aikido Doshu, and is divided into 2 parts. Part one theory and part two practice.

The theory section covers 5 key areas namely:

  1. Essential principles
  2. Aikido nature and health
  3. Aikido as tantra
  4. Aikido and art
  5. Aikido and Global Society

The book has crisp photography with extremely good linkage of Aikido photos to other cultures and religions. Whilst it is a small book; only 131 pages it does give a “different view” of Aikido.