LINDA HOLIDAY first moved to Japan in 1973 to receive instruction
from the first generation of Aikido teachers. She was one of the
first Westerners to study Aikido in the remote, mystical Kumano
region of Japan, where she became a close student and personal
interpreter of Motomichi Anno Sensei. A 6th degree black belt, she
has taught Aikido professionally since 1976 and founded the
nonprofit organization Aikido of Santa Cruz in 1982, where she
continues to serve as its chief instructor.
MOTOMICHI ANNO is one of the highest-level teachers of Aikido in
the world. Born in 1931, he is one of the few remaining members of
a generation of Japanese master-teachers who received direct
instruction from the founder of Aikido. Anno Sensei received his
8th-degree black belt in 1978 and has been a senior teacher at the
Kumano Juku Dojo for over forty years, serving as its chief
instructor for the past nine years. In 2009, Anno sensei received
the prestigious Distinguished Service Award from the Japan Martial
Arts Association for his lifetime dedication to teaching Aikido.
Deeply rooted in traditional Japan, Anno sensei is an international
teacher who has a remarkable ability to convey the heart of Aikido
to people of different culture's He continues to live on his family
homestead in the countryside of western Japan, and teaches in
Japan, the United States, and Europe.
“This book is a treasure of wisdom from the heart of a true
peacemaker, offering a tangible experience of interbeing as well as
practices we can use every day to cultivate well-being and
compassion.” —THICH NHAT HANH, Zen master and author of Peace Is
Every Step
“The sublime life and teachings of Morihei Ueshiba are
authentically presented in Journey to the Heart of Aikido through
the lifelong training of Motomichi Anno as well as Linda Holiday’s
amazing dedication and research. As one who studied with the Master
in his tiny nightly class right after World War II, I am overjoyed
that the essence of what I witnessed and learned in Japan’s
countryside sixty-five years ago is now available to the public in
the Western world.” —KAZUAKI TANAHASHI, author of Brush Mind;
co-translator of Aikido by Kisshomaru Ueshiba, under the direction
of Morihei Ueshiba
“Entertaining, insightful, at times humorous, but always
compelling… Linda Holiday’s Journey to the Heart of Aikido is a
monumental work that documents the teachings of Aikido master
Motomichi Anno, a direct student of the art’s founder, Morihei
Ueshiba. Over the years, Linda has become intimately
acquainted with the culture of Japan to a level few foreigners
attain. I wholeheartedly recommend Linda Holiday’s book to every
aikido practitioner and martial arts aficionado. It is a complete
package that will not fail to inform and inspire, and is surely
destined to become a classic.” —STANLEY PRANIN, editor of Aikido
Journal
"Few remain - among them Anno Sensei, now 82 - who experienced O
Sensei's teaching firsthand and felt his celebrated fusion of
irresistible control and harmless, illuminating spirit. As the
founder's direct students dwindle with time, aikido teachers
everywhere share concern for perpetuating the truthful transmission
of his vision...As [Holiday] relates in the opening of the book, it
was at a dojo - a practice hall - in the rural Kumano district,
where O Sensei had lived and frequently taught, that she and a few
other young Americans immersed themselves in aikido with teachers,
including Anno Sensei." —San Francisco Chronicle
“Linda Holiday shares her journey with us, with honesty and
clarity. As the story unfolds, step by step her quest becomes
clear; she devotes herself as a student of Hikitsuchi Sensei, and
then Anno Sensei becomes her mentor. Through his teachings, Anno
Sensei guides us with a benevolent smile and the deepest humility
to ‘the heart of Aikido.’ His reflections on all aspects of
practice are very rich and will surely answer all the questions we
may ask. Journey to the Heart of Aikido is also a beautiful
testimonial to fidelity: that of student to teacher, and
teacher to O-Sensei.” —CHRISTIAN TISSIER, Aikido seventh dan
shihan, Paris, France
“Aikido’s founder, Morihei Ueshiba, established Aikido as a way of
harmony, an art of peace, a path of light. Motomichi Anno, one of
the last remaining direct disciples of the founder, and his student
Linda Holiday have devoted their lives to preserving Morihei’s
legacy. Journey to the Heart of Aikido presents Anno Sensei’s
simple, yet profound teachings, together with an inspiring account
of his life and his experiences with the founder. This is a rich,
valuable book, lovingly put together in the true spirit of Aikido.”
—JOHN STEVENS, Aikido seventh dan; author of Invincible Warrior, a
biography of Morihei Ueshiba
“An extraordinary and important contribution not only to the
literature of Aikido but to the larger world of the martial arts as
well. This intimate and penetrating look into the development
of Aikido reveals a sacred world of power, vision, and harmony.
Linda Holiday has deftly crafted a historical narrative that allows
us to see the inspiration of the founder of Aikido, embodied in one
of his direct students. As the Aikido community evolves, this book
will be a guidepost along the way. It’s a classic.” —RICHARD
STROZZI-HECKLER, PHD, author of The Leadership Dojo and In Search
of the Warrior Spirit; chief instructor, Two Rock Aikido;
co-founder, Tamalpais Aikido.
“Today there are few instructors who can speak from personal
experience about the founder of Aikido. I read with great interest
Motomichi Anno Sensei’s portrait of the founder, and his
impressions of O-Sensei’s instruction and personal character,
interwoven with his own reflections on a lifetime of practice.
Linda Holiday’s experiences practicing Aikido at the Kumano Juku
Dojo in the 1970s also make for a truly fascinating story.”
—HIROSHI IKEDA, Aikido seventh dan shihan; chief instructor,
Boulder Aikikai
“The teachings of Aikido are truly universal, and thus this book is
for everyone. Anno Sensei's lifelong journey along the path of love
and harmony is an inspiration to us all. I praise Linda Holiday for
her dedication in bringing this treasure to the world, as I know it
will help guide countless readers on their path to personal and
global peace.” —BRANT SECUNDA, shaman and healer in the Huichol
tradition; author of Fit Soul, Fit Body: 9 Keys to a
Healthier, Happier You
“Journey to the Heart of Aikido offers a portrait of the founder
born of Anno Sensei's deep love and close contact with O-Sensei. He
retells many wonderful stories and shares profoundly important
teachings received directly from the founder. This is an invaluable
resource for all Aikidoists and for other martial artists as well …
a book I am planning to read many times over, to let its rich
wisdom sink in.” —ROBERT FRAGER, PHD, Aikido seventh dan; founder,
Sofia University; president, Western Aikido Association
“Linda Holiday writes with devotion and a pure heart. Journey to
the Heart of Aikido inspires greatness through humility,
dedication, and self-responsibility. Through Linda's personal story
and the teachings of Anno Sensei, I feel that I have been
introduced to the living flame of the lineage of Aikido burning
bright.” —TAMI SIMON, founder and publisher, Sounds True
“For over forty years I have endeavored to understand how O-Sensei
was able to manifest love in response to aggression, both on and
off the Aikido mat. This book is a gift for all who wish to
develop greater spiritual understanding of Aikido, its universal
application, our potential to embody the principles, and the
amazing abilities of its founder.” —WENDY PALMER, author of The
Practice of Freedom: Aikido Principles as a Spiritual Guide and The
Intuitive Body: Discovering the Wisdom of Conscious Embodiment and
Aikido
“A truly exceptional and vibrant Aikido book…a must-read book for
everyone who is interested in the origins of Aikido and the
spiritual foundations of the art. Through the words of her
teacher, Anno Sensei, Linda Holiday brings to life O-Sensei’s
lifelong quest to create a peaceful martial art. Reading Journey to
the Heart of Aikido is like traveling through time and space to
meet with the founder of Aikido and step into his world of sincere
physical and spiritual determination and practice, inspired by the
sacred nature in Kumano. This book is a treasure.” —JAN NEVELIUS,
Aikido sixth dan shihan, Vanadis Aikido Dojo, Sweden; author, Vaken
Vila
“Brilliant, illuminating … Journey to the Heart of Aikido is aptly
named. Linda Holiday opens our eyes to the light that shines on the
path.” —FRANK DORAN, Aikido seventh dan shihan; chief instructor,
Aikido West Dojo
“Those who read this book will not only be rewarded with a deep
understanding of what Aikido is, but will be entertained and moved
by Anno Sensei’s personal and ongoing journey to go deeper into
Aikido’s essence.” —MARY HEINY, Aikido sixth dan, Seattle,
Washington
“The flow of universal knowledge from O-Sensei through Anno Sensei
to Linda Holiday … Read this book and enjoy that inspired journey.”
—ROBERT NADEAU, Aikido seventh dan shihan, direct student of
O-Sensei
“This is a long-awaited account of Aikido’s development in Kumano’s
mysterious mountains. The simplicity with which Aikido’s positive
message is articulated here may stir many people looking for
meaning in life to seek an answer in the practice of Aikido.
Everyone will benefit from reading Journey to the Heart of Aikido.
It may well help us all to transform the ravages of a materialistic
world.” —SUSAN PERRY, PHD, Aikido sixth dan, author of Remembering
O-Sensei; co-chief instructor of Musubi Dojo, California
“Linda Holiday’s clear, poetic translation of Anno Sensei's
teachings provides a wonderful resource for those of us wishing to
better understand the words of Aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba. The
founder’s spiritual philosophy of love and unity is embodied in a
martial practice that can appear antithetical to it. Yet Anno
Sensei’s interpretation of the founder’s teaching embraces the
paradoxical nature of Aikido and makes the principles alive and
accessible to us. Anno Sensei's humility, compassion, and wisdom
are ever apparent. Journey to the Heart of Aikido brings to us the
fruit of a heart-to-heart transmission of the Way.” —DARRELL BLUHM,
Aikido sixth dan shihan; chief instructor, Siskiyou Aikikai,
Oregon
“What a great story. Well told, tender in places, with a genuine
warmth and depth … and so inspiring. It is a tale of humanity, not
just a martial art. It will reach out and touch everyone.” —HANS
GOTO, Aikido seventh dan; founder and chief instructor, Bay Marin
Aikido
“Journey to the Heart of Aikido resonates with the truth of the
Oneness of us all. Even readers unfamiliar with the art of Aikido
will feel and recognize it. The most important thing for our world
community is recognizing and valuing the connection that we have
with all beings—a connection that the founder of Aikido talked
about, and that Motomichi Anno teaches from his own heart. Linda
Holiday, writing with a magic reminiscent of Aikido itself, is able
to express this high level of teaching in this remarkable
book. I will keep it as a frequent reference.” —DANIELLE
SMITH, Aikido sixth dan; chief instructor, Aikido of Monterey
“Journey to the Heart of Aikido takes the reader unhesitatingly
into Aikido's demand that we completely envelop our opponent's
heart with love. A remarkable book, in which a ‘lineage of love’ is
precisely transmitted.” —KIMBERLY RICHARDSON, founder and chief
instructor of Two Cranes Aikido, Seattle, Washington
“Journey to the Heart of Aikido is a richly deserving of
all the accolades in the section titled, “Praise for Journey
into the Heart of Aikido...The book is chock full of fantastic
color and black & white photographs that alone would make the book
a must have for an Aikido or martial arts library." —PAUL REST, 3rd
degree black belt; one of the founding members of the Western
Aikido Association
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