Quote:
Doug Walker wrote:
One more question. Do you think there is any current opposition to publishing the Noma photographs? For example, if the archive was still organized and ready to go to layout with maybe an introduction would a project like that get a green light from the family?
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The present Doshu has been unusually ready to publish translations of key books. The latest one to appear is
The Secret Teachings of Aikido, which is a translation by John Stevens of
Aiki Shinzui, a collection of O Sensei's articles published in the Aikikai's
Aikido Shimbun. Stevens also translated
Aikido Shintei, a large, illustrated book written by Kisshomaru Ueshiba. As I stated earlier, all the recent books have been published by Kodansha, which, I suppose, renews the connection with the Noma Dojo.
The present Doshu has also republished two early Japanese texts written by his father.
Aikido and
Aikido Giho were the originals of the English volume Aikido, which appeared around 1970. For this English edition the photographs were changed and the text edited. However, the Japanese originals give a very clear idea of Kisshomaru Ueshiba's aikido as it was immediately after the war.
As for publishing the Noma photo archive, when I meet Doshu again I will ask him.