“Aikido Densho is an 80-page training manual featuring some 200 photos of
the techniques taught by Morihei Ueshiba during the Aiki Budo period”

We are pleased to announce the publication in ebook form of an almost totally unknown training manual compiled by Kanemoto Sunadomari, Morihei Ueshiba’s biographer. Kanemoto Sunadomari was from a family of devout Omoto believers and was the elder brother of Kanshu and Fukiko Sunadomari. He began his training in an earlier form of aikido in 1928 after observing a demonstration by Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba in Ayabe.

Kanemoto maintained a long relationship with Morihei that lasted until the end of the latter’s life. In 1969, he published the first biography of Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei after having conducted research for many years and gathering documents with the assistance of his siblings. Kisshomaru Ueshiba cites passages from Sunadomari’s book in his later biography of his father published in 1977.

Aikido Densho is an 80-page training manual featuring some 200 photos of the techniques taught by Morihei Ueshiba during the Aiki Budo period starting from the the late 1920s through the 1930s. Given the time frame of Kanemoto’s study under Morihei Ueshiba, the techniques covered in this manual reflect an early stage in the development of Morihei’s art. As such, this technical volume warrants a thorough study along with such documents as the Noma Dojo photos series and the 1938 training manual “Budo.”


The book from which the scan has been made is in new condition and the photos are clear and in high resolution. The text is entirely in Japanese and aikido students will easily be able to follow the flow of techniques from the illustrations.

Price: $3.99
Pages: 80
File size: 5.8 mb
Dimensions: 7″ x 10″