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Judo is many things: an art, a discipline, a recreational activity, an exercise program, a means of self -defense
or combat, a fun sport and a way of life.
Kodokan Judo was founded in 1882 in Japan when Jigoro Kano, at the age of 22,opened his first practice hall,the
Kodokan Judo Dojo inside the Eishoji Temple.
Teacher,professor,educator,sportsman,philosopher,
humanitarian,politician and shihan,these were the titles earned in one lifetime by Kano.
At 18,he began a study of Jujitsu and years later,he integrated what he considered to be the best of their
techniques and new and advanced principles into what is now the modern sport of judo.
Judo emphasizes throwing and grappling skills, throws using the arms, hips or legs and holds, strangles
and locks applied to achieve submission.
Judo is actually comprised of two words: JU, meaning gentle and DO, meaning way, " the gentle way".
Judo is also an excellent method of self defense and physical exercise and the variety of techniques and
principles makes it an excellent martial art and a way of life.
Within a few years of founding Judo,the numbers of students rapidly increased,from all over Japan,many having
left jujutsu masters.Eventually Judo displaced Jujitsu in Japan,although the word has survived overseas.
At a specially convened tournament on June 10th, 1886, at police headquaters,the judo system of training
proved its superiority conclusively against that of jujitsu by scoring twelve wins, two losses and one draw out
of 15 contests.This event was the turning point for securing public recognition of judo and establishing it on a firm basis.
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| Jigoro Kano teaching Judo |
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| Kodokan training (old photo) |
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| JIGORO KANO -JUDO FOUNDER |
The first american to study seriously at the Kodokan was professor Ladd of Yale University,who went to the
Kodokan in 1889.Kano taught Ladd judo theory and technique.
In 1902,Yoshiaki Yamashita,one of Kano's students and the first 10th Dan was the first man to teach
judo in the United States teaching for seven years at Harvard University,the Naval Academy and the White House.Yamashita's
pioneering effort brought him many distinguished students,including Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States,his
son and the grandson of Robert E.Lee.
By 1908,the Kodokan had a total of 13 Americans members studying in Japan.In 1932 Professor Kano visited
United States and four judo Yudanshakai ( Black Belt Association ) were formed and became directly affiliated with the Kodokan
in Tokyo,Japan.After World War II,judo training grew considerably in United States and many judo organizations were founded
(United States Judo Associstion (USJA) and United States Judo Federation (USJF).
Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964 in Tokyo and now is an important part of the Olympic Games being one
the sports most watched and followed.
Today judo in United States has many schools all over the country ,and is practiced actively principally
in Seattle,Florida,Southern California,NorthernCalifornia,Washington and Hawaii.
Judo is practiced all over the world and is considered the martial art with the higher number of participants,over
8 million judoka.
American judo has world and olympic medallists.Judo has come a long way,so do you want to
be part of judo history?Want to be a champion?DO JUDO AND HAVE FUN!
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"Judo is not merely a martial art but rather the basic principle of human behavior.When that basic principle is applied
to defense against attack or applied as physical education in randori at the dojo, these are the applications of that pronciple
of judo,but are only one aspect of judo -it is wrong to assume judo ends in the dojo"
"Judo is not what many people believe it to be; that is to say, judo is more than a fighting art practice at the dojo,the
basic meaning of judo is quite different,and is universal and profound"
Jigoro Kano.
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