The Japanese Way of the Artist: Living the Japanese Arts & Ways, Brush Meditation, The Japanese Way of the Flower - Paperback

by H. E. Davey (Author)

Ikebana and tea ceremony, karate and calligraphy-all traditional Japanese arts and practices share certain ideals and techniques to achieve the same goals: serenity, mind/body harmony, awareness, and a sense of connection to the universe. This collection of three complete books provides H. E. Davey's unique insights into the rich universe of these Japanese spiritual, artistic, and martial traditions while introducing the reader to practical examples of two Japanese forms of "moving meditation" that exemplify the union of art and spiritual growth.

Living the Japanese Arts & Ways presents 45 essential principles-like wabi, "immovable mind," and "stillness in motion"-that are universal in the Japanese classic tradition. Revealing little-known, ancient, and powerful teachings that link all classic Japanese arts, it explains how they can beneficially transform your life. Living the Japanese Arts & Ways was the recipient of the Spirituality & Health magazine Best Spirituality Books Award.

Brush Meditation introduces beginners and non-artists alike to Japanese calligraphy, and shows how even the most elemental stroke of ink and brush reveals your physical and mental state. It's packed with amazing examples of the author's award-winning Japanese calligraphy.

The Japanese Way of the Flower examines practical methods for looking at nature and leads the reader through simple meditations as a prelude to learning how to create easy ikebana compositions.

This anthology contains an all-new introduction by the author. The entire text is complemented by diagrams, drawings, and photographs, plus information, resources, and glossaries of Japanese terms.

Author Biography

H. E. Davey is the Director of the Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts (www.senninfoundation.com), offering instruction in Japanese yoga, martial arts, healing arts, and fine arts. His introduction to the arts of Japan came via traditional martial arts. Since the age of five, he's studied jujutsu in the USA and Japan. He received a seventh-degree black belt and the title of Kyoshi from the Kokusai Budoin, a Tokyo-based international federation. Kokusai Budoin defines Kyoshi as a "Master's Certificate." He also serves on the elite Board of Directors of the Shudokan Martial Arts Association (www.smaa-hq.com), which has granted him an eighth-degree black belt.

In middle school, Mr. Davey began Shin-shin-toitsu-do, a system of Japanese yoga and meditation founded by Nakamura Tempu Sensei. He's the only member of Tempu-Kai, an organization established by Mr. Nakamura, who is a full-time professional instructor of Shin-shin-toitsu-do. He is also a member of the International Japanese Yoga Association in Kyoto and the Wakuwaku Honshin Juku in Osaka, and holds the highest level of teaching certification from these associations, which are devoted to meditation and the teachings of Mr. Nakamura. He's practiced in Japan and the USA under Nakamura Sensei's senior disciples, including Sawai Atsuhiro Sensei and Hashimoto Tetsuichi Sensei.

Mr. Davey's also received extensive instruction in Nakamura Sensei's methods of bodywork and healing with ki ("life energy"), which he teaches. He's furthermore received training in Hatha yoga and Pranayama breathing exercises in the tradition of Indra Devi.

Mr. Davey studied shodo, or Japanese brush writing and ink painting, for 20 years under the late Kobara Ranseki Sensei. Mr. Davey holds the top rank in Ranseki Sho Juku shodo and has exhibited on many occasions in Japan. He's received numerous honors in these exhibitions, including Jun Taisho ("Associate Grand Prize").

H. E. Davey's articles on Japanese arts and his artwork have appeared in numerous American and Japanese magazines and newspapers. He's the author of The Teachings of Tempu: Practical Meditation for Daily Life, Unlocking the Secrets of Aiki-jujutsu, Brush Meditation: A Japanese Way to Mind & Body Harmony, Japanese Yoga: The Way of Dynamic Meditation, Living the Japanese Arts & Ways: 45 Paths to Meditation & Beauty, The Japanese Way of the Artist, and The Japanese Way of the Flower: Ikebana as Moving Meditation.