Enlightenment Through Aikido (Paperback)

by Kanshu Sunadomari (Author) "The martial arts must be the path that brings our hearts into oneness with the spirit of Heaven and Earth to complete our mission in..." (more)
Key Phrases: takemusu aiki, enemies into enemies, enemies under heaven, Morihei Ueshiba, Manseikan Aikido, Aiki Manseido (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Aiki is love. It is the path that brings our hearts into oneness with the spirit of the universe to complete our mission in life by instilling in us a love and reverence for all of nature."
- Moihei Ueshiba, the Founder of Aikido

Product Description
Prior to World War II, Kanshu Sunadomari was a direct live-in student of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. This book collects short articles drawing on 60 years of study. They feature quotes from the founder along with the author's personal interpretations of how Aikido can promote inner tranquility and help foster world peace.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books; illustrated edition edition (April 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556434871
• ISBN-13: 978-1556434877
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #931,859 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent philosophical perspective., July 5, 2006

By	Aikido Book Guy - See all my reviews

This is the only English translation of substantial size done on the works of Sunadomari Sensei. This is not a technical book in any fashion, but a collection of spiritual and philosophical anecdotes. Good to have if you are interested in "that side" of Aikido.

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, February 14, 2009

By	Eric T. Schiro "pathfinder" (Medford, OR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was not sure what I was getting in the purchase of this book. I skimmed through it before sitting down and reading it. I think it is a great book if you are practicing Aikido or just would like to learn more about Aikido.
Sunadomari, breaks up each chapter talking about what he has learned and sees how the humanrace is destroying earth and ourselves due to selfishness and greed. He further goes into explaining how each individual should strive to better themselves and to find purpose in life.
I feel he is on the right path to help mankind and teaching us to realize how we behave.
The only draw back that I did not care much for was Sunadomari frequently talks about God in Christianity. At first I thought he was talking about all of heavenly Gods and the gods within ourselves to do the right thing but further reading he does come across like he is preaching God. I just expected more Eastern Philosophy.
This is my opinion and I am wrong most of the time.

3.0 out of 5 stars Best out there, but not perfect., October 16, 2006

By	Wayne Wilson (Astoria, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Basically, this book is a collection of Sunadomari's writings in his dojo's own journal/monthly paper. This means there are a lot of repeated ideas and boring phrases like, "now that spring is here, it's time to think about..."
That being said, there is not nearly enough Aikido literature out there with this level of commitment to Aikido as a purely spiritual art. The author does engage the reader with the questions of what the ultimate mission and purpose of their life is, and what the ultimate mission of Aikido should be: Love. It needs to be read with a non-cynical mind, as it is very simple, straightforward, and from Sunadomari's honest and heartfelt perspective.

It is to a large degree inspiring. And until more works like this come out, I would buy this along with the writings of Ueshiba, as part of your Aiki-spirit library.