Mitsunari Kanai was a significant figure in the spread of Aikido in the United States, particularly in the Boston area.
Having moved to the United States in 1966, Kanai Sensei played a significant role in shaping how Aikido was taught in America. His teachings were instrumental in the early development of Aikido organizations like the United States Aikido Federation (USAF).
His approach was less about Americanizing Aikido and more about teaching “World Aikido” — an Aikido that transcends national boundaries, maintaining the essence of the art as intended by Ueshiba.
The Life of Mitsunari Kanai Sensei
Kanai Sensei (1939–2004) was one of the last direct students (uchi-deshi) of Morihei Ueshiba, also known as O Sensei, the founder of Aikido, with whom he began studying at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo in 1958.
Moving to the U.S. in 1966 as a 4th dan, Kanai Sensei founded the New England Aikikai in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This dojo became a central hub for Aikido in the region. He was instrumental in shaping Aikido’s growth not only in Boston but across the United States and Canada, teaching seminars extensively.
Kanai Sensei was one of the founders and served as the Technical Director of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF), influencing Aikido’s technical and philosophical dissemination in America. He contributed to the early development of Aikido in Canada, through his involvement in the Canadian Aikido Federation (CAF), where he taught seminars. Eventually, Kanai reached 8th dan and was recognized as a Shihan (master teacher).
This lineage of martial arts is characterized by a commitment to the traditional aspects of Aikido as taught by Morihei Ueshiba, combined with Kanai Sensei’s unique interpretations and technical developments. His influence is still felt through the ongoing practices and teachings of his students and their dojos.
Kanai’s approach to Aikido was marked by several qualitative differences that distinguished his teaching and practice from other styles or interpretations of Aikido.
Kanai Sensei Aikido: A Unique Teaching Style
Mitsunari Kanai, an influential figure in the spread of Aikido in the United States, brought a distinctive approach to his teaching and performance of Aikido that was shaped by his direct training under Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. Below are some qualitative and stylistic differences noted of the aikido performed and taught by Kanai Sensei.
Emphasis on Tradition with Modern Application
Kanai Sensei focused on the technical precision of traditional Aikido technique as taught by Morihei Ueshiba. However, he was adept at applying these techniques in a way that was relevant to modern contexts, ensuring that his students could understand the techniques’ practicality in self-defense scenarios.
He maintained a strong connection to the purity of Aikido as taught by O-Sensei, focusing on the spiritual and philosophical aspects rather than the commercialization of the art.
Reflecting his belief in the principles of life energy, his teachings often included discussions about “Ki” and the importance of harmony and non-resistance, which are central to Ueshiba’s vision of Aikido as a path to peace.
Due to this belief, his style was often described as having a “soft” yet powerful quality, where the movements seemed almost effortless due to the precise blending of energy and motion.
Dynamic Movement and Flow
Kanai Sensei’s Aikido was known for its dynamic flow. He encouraged students to execute techniques with fluidity and circular motion, emphasizing the blending of movements rather than direct confrontation. This approach made his Aikido not only visually engaging, but also effective in absorbing and redirecting an opponent’s energy.
His teaching was meticulous; he paid close attention to the details of each movement, from footwork to hand positioning. This focus helped in building a strong technical foundation among his students, which was essential for mastering the art.
Recognizing that every student has a different physical build and capability, Kanai tailored his teaching to accommodate these differences. He was known for his ability to teach Aikido in a way that could be effective for both large and small practitioners, ensuring inclusivity.
Integration of Weapons Training
Kanai Sensei was not only an 8th dan in Aikido but also deeply involved in Iaido, the art of drawing the Japanese sword; he integrated weapons training (Jojutsu and Kenjutsu) into his Aikido curriculum more than many other teachers might. This dual practice not only enriched the understanding of Aikido techniques but also highlighted the interconnectedness of empty-hand techniques with weapon work.
His approach emphasized the principles of body movement derived from these weapon arts. This integration was evident in how he taught the use of the bokken (wooden sword) and jo (staff) as extensions of taijutsu (body techniques), which can be seen in his seminars and writings where he discussed the philosophical connection between the sword and body movements in Aikido.
Spiritual and Ethical Emphasis on Shin (Spirit/Mind)
Beyond the physical techniques, Kanai Sensei emphasized the moral and ethical dimensions of Aikido. His classes included discussions on how Aikido principles could be applied to daily life, promoting values like patience, humility, and respect.
Kanai often articulated that Aikido was not just about physical techniques but also about the confrontation of two minds or spirits. He stressed the importance of understanding the opponent’s intentions and harmonizing with them, reflecting Aikido’s principle of non-violence and conflict resolution through understanding and redirection of force, rather than direct opposition.
His methodology included not just physical training but also mental and emotional conditioning. He was known to encourage meditation, breathing exercises, and other practices to cultivate mind-body unity.
Influence from Japanese Culture
His teaching style retained a strong Japanese cultural influence, which included etiquette, respect for hierarchy, and the ceremonial aspects of dojo life, adding a layer of discipline and tradition to the practice.
Kanai Sensei frequently spoke against nationalism in martial arts, however, promoting Aikido as a universal practice. His teachings were imbued with his reflections on life, art, and the human condition, often discussing how Aikido training could lead to personal growth and harmony with the universe.
Innovative Pedagogy
Kanai Sensei was innovative in his teaching methods, using various drills, kata variations, and interactive teaching techniques to convey concepts. His seminars were particularly noted for their educational value and depth.
These qualitative differences made Kanai Sensei’s Aikido not just a physical discipline but a comprehensive martial art that encompassed mind, body, and spirit. His approach helped in shaping a vibrant Aikido community in the northeast region of the United States, which continues to evolve while maintaining the core values and techniques he imparted.
Overall, Kanai Sensei’s Aikido was marked by a synthesis of traditional Japanese martial arts principles with a profound philosophical depth, emphasizing the spiritual over the physical, and unity over division. His legacy is evident in how Aikido is practiced and taught in many dojos, especially those connected to his lineage through the New England Aikikai and the broader Aikikai network.
Kanai Sensei’s Legacy
After Kanai Sensei’s passing in 2004, his teachings have been preserved through the dojos he established, the students he trained, and through various memorial seminars and events. His emphasis on technical purity and philosophical depth continues to influence Aikido globally.
Kanai Sensei’s senior students have continued his legacy by operating various dojos. Notable dojos include New England Aikikai in Cambridge, continuing under his direct lineage. Framingham Aikikai, Boston Aikikai, Aikido Tekkojuku of Boston, and Aikikai Tanshinjuku of Boulder, Colorado are all currently run by his senior students.
His students also established or were instrumental in Aikido clubs at prestigious institutions like Harvard University, MIT, and Tufts University, ensuring the art's presence in academic settings.
Notable instructors include Kei Izawa at Aikikai Tanshinjuku, Yasumasa Itoh at Aikido Tekkojuku, Vu X. Ha at Boston Aikikai, Matt Bagedonow at MIT Aikido Club, and others have carried forward his teachings, maintaining the lineage's integrity.
Kanai Sensei Aikido Offered at One Dojo
In February of 2000, Kei Izawa Sensei, 7th dan, founded Aikikai Tanshinjuku. Izawa Sensei’s journey with Aikido began in 1969 at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan, where he trained under the late Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba. O Sensei passed away just a week after Izawa Sensei started his training.
In 1976, Izawa Sensei relocated to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he continued his studies under Mitsunari Kanai Shihan, then 8th Dan at New England Aikikai. Over the years, he also trained with several notable instructors at Hombu Dojo, including the esteemed Osawa Sensei and the third Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba.
Izawa Sensei has shared his expertise widely, teaching at New England Aikikai as well as in the United Kingdom and Germany. Since 1995, he has been a respected member of the Aikido Council in Tokyo, Japan. More recently, he served as Chairman of the International Aikido Federation (IAF), a role he held from 2008 until 2023.
Beyond teaching, Izawa Sensei translated the biography “A Life in Aikido,” authored by the second Doshu, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, and published by Kodansha International.
Most recently, Kei Izawa published a book entitled, Balance in Motion, wherein he draws on his curiosity, appreciation, and deep understanding of Japanese culture—encompassing movement, clothing, footwear, and etiquette—to delve into this gap and highlight the cultural roots of Japanese body movements and their social context, which are intrinsically woven into the essence of Aikido.
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