By Morihei Ueshiba
(Translated by John Stevens)

The Art of Peace distills the profound wisdom of Ueshiba Morihei, founder of Aikido, through poetic reflections compiled by aikido expert John Stevens. This slim yet powerful book combines Ueshiba’s philosophy of harmonizing strength with compassion, blending martial arts with a pursuit of peace. Each page offers a meditation on resilience, humility, and the surprising power of gentleness, often paired with Ueshiba’s expressive calligraphy. More than a martial arts manual, The Art of Peace invites readers to explore the deeper principles of aikido and the art of living well, offering insights that resonate long after the last page.

“This small, elegant book is filled with the wisdom and artistry of a great man. This collection of Morihei Ueshiba’s sayings and poetry resonates with deep meaning, making this a gem of a book. The book itself is of very high quality—compact and well-bound, with clear print and beautifully reproduced images of Ueshiba’s calligraphy. A CD of the book, read in a clear, calm voice, is also a very nice inclusion. It is an important collection for the reflective artist, and practically applicable to those intent on living a grounded, sensitive life.”—Journal of Asian Martial Arts