Books

 

"You have to forget about technique. The further you progress along the path, the fewer teachings there are. The true Path is no Path." -Ueshiba Morihei O-Sensei


Following the Martial Path illuminates the lessons learned in the martial arts, which transcend techniques of attack and defense. It is a journey of self-discovery, originating in physical training and leading to the spiritual dimensions. Walther G. von Krenner, trained with numerous talented and famous martial arts practitioners, including Gene LaBelle, Hal Sharpe, Tohei Koichi, Takahashi Isao, and Aikido founder Ueshiba Morihei O-Sensei. Explaining good times and lessons in humility, Following the Martial Path is von Krenner's account of his martial art journey.

This book stresses the connection between Zen, art, and martial pursuits. Besides conveying the important lessons learned throughout decades, Following the Martial Path contains calligraphy, artwork, and invaluable photographs (of Aikido founder Ueshiba Morihei and others) that have never before been published. In addition, it contains lectures given by the founder of Aikido that have not previously been published.

"Walther's quest for the true meaning of Budo is presented in many tales throughout the book. Some are classical, others personal. Such tales are both entertaining and enlightening. Walther makes the key point that a martial artist should be an artist in the broadest sense: a student of literature and poetry, and (in his case) a practitioner of such disciplines as calligraphy, painting, shakuhachi playing, sword connoisseurship, and tea ceremony." From the foreword by John Stevens, author of The Way of JudoAbundant Peace, and Sacred Calligraphy of the East

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Walther G. von Krenner has been training in the martial arts and Zen for more than 50 years. He currently teaches in Kalispell, MT. Ken Jeremiah has been training in Aikido and related arts since 1997, and he has written numerous books. He resides in Narragansett, RI. Foreword author John Stevens has written numerous books including The Way of Judo, Abundant Peace, and Sacred Calligraphy of the East.


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Can Sacred Numerology Really Earn You Money?


Numbers are the ruler of forms and ideas, and the cause of gods and daemons.” –PYTHAGORAS

MAKING MILLIONS: A 500-YEAR-OLD KABBALIST’S GUIDE TO CONQUERING CHANCE is the translation of an anonymous book apparently written to assist readers while selecting numbers that are likely to emerge in lottery drawings worldwide. Some methods were passed down by Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa (1486-1535) and Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463-1494). Others came from astrologers and alchemists like Rutilio Benincasa (1555-1626), and Zarathustra (c. 660-583 B.C.E.), while some are credited to sibyls, who were said to preside over oracles at such places as Delphi and Dardania in Greece, and Erythrae in Ionia. Alongside the translations are lengthy notes and supplementary information provided by the translator to facilitate readers’ understanding. This first English-language translation (of an exceptionally rare text) will appeal to anyone who plays the lottery, and to anyone who is interested in numerology or ancient religious practices.

ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR: Ken Jeremiah has written numerous books and articles, and he has translated various works from Spanish, Italian, and Japanese. He currently lives in Narragansett, RI.

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Atemi: The Thunder and Lightning of Aikido revisits the source of the art by teaching the striking methods that made Ueshiba’s techniques so effective.


This is the most comprehensive text on striking in Aikido, and it begins with the notion that strikes should not be disregarded in modern dojo. It explores the common (yet mistaken) notion of atemi as a secondary aspect of Aikido, and argues that such an idea is incorrect, since O-Sensei’s own teachings reveal that striking is the very core of the art.

The authors describe through brilliant and specific examples and clear photographs, how atemi is used in Aikido pins and throws while still keeping with the physical philosophy of the art. The journey continues as they then demonstrate how Ueshiba Morihei and some of his most important students viewed atemi and technique as one, instead of separate aspects of the art.

The text is divided into three sections: Shodan (beginner’s level), Chudan (intermediate level), and Jodan (advanced level). The final chapters suggest ways that O-Sensei taught his students how to develop internal power, which can be channeled into Aikido’s powerful strikes. Atemi: The Thunder and Lightning of Aikido presents a thorough explanation of O-Sensei’s teachings and suggests that many practitioners have only scratched the surface of the art’s true nature.

WALTHER G. VON KRENNER has been practicing Aikido and other martial arts for more than half a century.  He trained with Ueshiba Morihei and other well-known instructors, and has written several books about martial arts and East Asian art, including Aikido Ground Fighting.  A Zen practitioner and accomplished artist, he currently resides in Kalispell, Montana, where he continues to train and teach.  KEN JEREMIAH is a writer and translator.  He currently lives in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

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A Guide to Identifying lions, unicorns, and other real and imaginary creatures in East Asian art.


This guide to identifying lions, unicorns and other creatures real and fanciful in Chinese and Japanese artwork explains how these and other animal depictions were introduced to the East, and how their portrayals changed over time. Tracing the lion's early use in Mesopotamian art and its cultural symbolism in Greece and Rome, this study includes stylized foxes, tigers, badgers and cats, as well as fanciful creatures like dragons, humanoid birds, water imps, demons and other chimerical beasts. Stories and descriptions are provided along with numerous photographs and drawings, making this work an invaluable resource for art collectors and anyone interested in East Asian culture and history.

Walther G. von Krenner has worked as an artist, art dealer, and curator since 1960, specializing in Chinese and Japanese works. He lives in Kalispell, Montana. Ken Jeremiah has written extensively about spiritual and religious phenomena. He lives in Narragansett, Rhode Island, and runs tour groups to Japan, Italy, and other countries yearly.

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McFarland & Co., Inc.

 

Eternal Remains: World Mummification and the Beliefs that make it Necessary provides a comprehensive introduction to bodily preservation in worldwide cultures.  It is unique, as it focuses on the religious and spiritual beliefs that necessitated the practice. 


Mummies, whether they were naturally or artificially preserved, fascinate the living.  Their existence causes humans to ponder the past, and to consider their own inevitable deaths.  While researching the reasons behind mummification, it becomes clear that despite apparent cultural differences, human beings are alike.  Their ideas concerning life and death are also similar, if not downright the same.  From indigenous tribes in the Americas that smoke dry their leaders, to Europeans who preserve and then dismember holy bodies, the underlying reasons are universal.  Eternal Remains begins with an introduction to the scientific processes of decay and the way in which such decomposition is halted.  Cultures worldwide initially found bodies naturally preserved.  Then, they used natural methods to mummify their dead.  In time, this simple process became more elaborate, and techniques of evisceration and embalmment developed.  Eternal Remains contains chapters about mummies in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia, which provides a worldwide perspective, all the while concentrating on the reasons behind the practice.  The final chapters concentrate on modern methods of preservation, and the options humans have for their own bodies.  These include cryogenic freezing and becoming an Egyptian-style mummy.  After readers gain an understanding of mummification worldwide and the various beliefs that required the practice, they are led to ponder the ultimate significance of it all.  The final conclusions formed are sure to inspire all, providing a new way to consider death and its relationship to life. 

Dr. Ken Jeremiah has written extensively about history, religion, and critical thinking. His previous books include Remnants of a Distant Past, Christian Mummification, Living Buddhas, Aikido Ground Fighting, and If the Samurai Played Golf...Zen Strategies for a Winning Game. He teaches world language and comparative religion courses, and currently resides in Narragansett, RI.

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The only book about Aikido grappling and submission techniques, Aikido Ground Fighting contains previously unpublished lectures and photos of the founder, Morihei Ueshiba.

Aikido Ground Fighting: Grappling and Submission Techniques is a unique look at the roots of Aikido and a provocative glimpse into its future, exploring how traditional standing techniques can be adapted and used when the fight goes to the ground. Written by Walther von Krenner—a direct student of Aikido founder Ueshiba Morihei —along with Aikido instructors Damon Apodaca and Ken Jeremiah, this book remains steadfastly true to the founder’s teachings while presenting innovative applications for ground fighting, a practice often omitted from modern Aikido training. Beginning with a thorough investigation into the pillars and principles of traditional Aikido, the authors address the history of suwari-waza or kneeling practices, which are then used as the basis for further ground techniques. With never-before-published pictures of Ueshiba as well as step-by-step photographs clearly demonstrating techniques, Aikido Ground Fighting is an essential book for any student of Aikido and a useful supplement for martial artists of other disciplines looking to enhance their training.

WALTHER VON KRENNER has been studying martial arts and other Japanese traditions since 1957. He is a direct student of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, and was inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2000. He currently teaches aikido in Kalispell, Montana, and writes for the French and German versions of Aikido Journal. KEN JEREMIAH has been training in aikido for 14 years, and he has written extensively about Japanese Buddhism and other spiritual phenomena. DAMON APODACA is the chief instructor and founder of Santa Fe Budokan, located in New Mexico. A practitioner for over 36 years, he is ranked as 6th-degree black belt (Rokudan) by the Aikido World Federation, Hombu Dojo.

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Random House

Blue Snake Books

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The Compelling Idea that Disrupts the Ancient Alien Theory and History as We Know It:

REMNANTS OF A DISTANT PAST explores the possibility that UFOs are not piloted by aliens, but by humans. There is more evidence to support this theory than there is to support the idea that extraterrestrials pilot such craft. Remnants of a Distant Past explores this possibility and provides information about sightings in the famous Bermuda and Pacific Triangles. It also explores the possibility of active underwater cities, advanced ancient civilizations, and the cyclical nature of time. This book offers a new way to interpret existing evidence: a way that might change forever the common view of UFOs and extraterrestrial visitations.

Dr. Ken Jeremiah has written extensively about history, religion, and critical thinking. He resides in Narragansett, R.I.

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This is the only book that presents East Asian philosophy as a tool that can be used to train both the mind and body in golf.

This is the only book that describes how to use Zen and other East Asian practices in order to improve the physical techniques of golf. Japanese martial artists, such as the samurai, trained in Zen in order to control the movements of their bodies. Through such training, they eliminated excess movement, resulting in greater speed and efficiency. Eliminating excess movement also served to increase their consistency. These same practices can be used to play better golf. Applying the concepts of Zen and the martial arts to the game of golf will help players to eliminate extraneous movements, resulting in greater consistency, increased confidence, and overall proficiency. The techniques found in Zen and the Japanese martial arts can also have a profound influence on the mental aspects of golf. If the Samurai Played Golf... combines the philosophical and spiritual teachings of samurai warriors and Zen monks, and interprets them for use by golfers and other athletes. It is the only book that presents East Asian philosophy as a tool that can be used to train both the body and the mind in golf.

DR. KEN JEREMIAH is a PGA golf professional and a martial art instructor. He currently resides in Narragansett, RI.

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Filled with abundant research, many pictures, and some controversial ideas, this is the newest book to explore Christian mummification:

Although the mention of mummification immediately brings to mind the ancient Egyptians, the Roman Catholic Church has long used the practice to preserve notable members of its faith. In Italy alone, more than 300 preserved bodies appear on display in churches and cathedrals--the mummified remains of saints, priests, martyrs, and other high-ranking Roman Catholic officials. This study explores the history of Roman Catholic mummification, which continues to this day in the use of New Kingdom Egyptian mummification procedures on popes. It explores various types of mummies, the connections between the Catholic Church and Egyptian religious practices, and the veritable cult that has arisen in Italy surrounding the saints whose bodies are preserved. By examining this unusual practice from both scientific and cultural perspectives, this work sheds light on a relatively unstudied aspect of the Roman Catholic faith.

KEN JEREMIAH has written extensively about spiritual and religious phenomena. He lives in Narragansett, RI, and runs tour groups to Japan, Italy and other countries yearly. 

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The only book about the subject of Japanese self-mummification in English:

Northern Japan is home to an ancient, esoteric tradition of self-mummified Buddhist monks, little known to the outside world. Long after death, these ascetics continue to be revered as Living Buddhas. This first English-language work on the subject recounts the process by which these monks starve themselves for a decade, bury themselves alive with only a small breathing tube, and meditate until death. After three years, the mummified body is exhumed and displayed. The biographies of various monks are presented within, as is an examination of the religious beliefs involved, an amalgamation of three distinct religious traditions. Also explored in the role of asceticism in religion, and beliefs about life and death shared by the Buddhist sects involved in self-mummification.

KEN JEREMIAH teaches Japanese and other languages, and leads tour groups to Japan yearly. He lives in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

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Learn to speak a foreign language the fast and easy way:

Many high school and university students find foreign language classes difficult. Although learning a language is a natural process, students study languages inefficiently and they lack effective strategies for language learning. Foreign Language Made Easy is designed to make studying a foreign language an easy and enjoyable experience. The best techniques for foreign language success are explained in a simple format that anyone can follow. Effective techniques for note taking specifically designed for the foreign language classroom are addressed, as are successful methods to learn grammatical structures and effectively increase vocabulary. The last sections of Foreign Language Made Easy are language-specific, and include the most common languages taught in the United States, such as Latin, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, German, Japanese, and Chinese. Common errors are explained, and simple techniques are presented that will help students to succeed. Everyone can learn a foreign language. By following the suggestions presented in this text, even students who previously found learning a foreign language difficult will meet with success.

Ken Jeremiah has studied five different languages in the United States and abroad. He currently teaches Spanish, Italian, and Japanese at the secondary level in Rhode Island.

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