Brief History
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Brief History
Judo was founded in 1882 in Japan by a young scholar named Jigoro Kano (1860-1938). Kano wanted to develop a system of physical education suitable for the newly emerging Japanese public educational system. He derived judo from the ancient art of jiu-jitsu. The system he developed is based on two key principles: maximum efficiency and mutual welfare. It aimed to teach how to subdue without injuring the opponent. According to Kano, “Judo is a teaching for life itself and with it we learn to overcome the pitfalls and obstacles of everyday living”. The school where he taught his first students in Tokyo, called Kodokan, is regarded as the world center of judo. Every year it attracts thousands of judokas of all ages and skill levels.
Spread of Judo
The first dojo (judo school or club) in Canada was opened in Vancouver in 1924. Judo Canada, the official national governing body for the sport, was incorporated in 1956. Today an estimated 30,000 Canadians participate in judo programs in approximately 400 clubs across Canada.
BRIEF KODOKAN JUDO HISTORY
- 1860 Birth of Jigoro Kano, founder of Judo
- 1881 Kano graduated from Tokyo Imperial University (M.A. in Political Science and Literature) Studied Jui-Jitsu under various masters and then created a safe, scientific sport called Kodokan Judo
- 1882 Kano founded the Kodokan Judo Institute at Eishoji Temple in Tokyo on a 12-mat area with a handful of students
- 1889 Kano traveled to Europe as an attaché of the Ministry of Imperial Household
- 1889 Aboard an ocean liner, Kano threw a huge Russian man who had wanted to test him. As the Russian came down head first, Kano placed his hand under the Russian’s head to save him from a hard knock on the deck.
- 1885 Kano became Principal of Tokyo Higher Normal School
- 1902 Kano sent Yamashita, 10th dan to teach Judo in the United States and to teach President Roosevelt
- 1905 Kano represented the Ministry of Education in China.
- 1908 Judo was adopted in all schools and universities in Japan
- 1911 Kano became the first president of Japan Physical Education Society – hence often called ‘Father of Japanese Sports’
- 1938 Kano died at sea while returning from Cairo International Olympic Conference “The doctors had a name for the disease but a heart heavy and broken from the shattering of his 1940 Tokyo Olympic dreams probably contributed to his sudden death. He bravely tried to maintain a cheerful attitude on his Seattle visit, but not even a bland smiling countenance could hide the disappointment within … “ but the dictators and war lords are in the saddle, and maybe little Jigoro Kano’s last breath on the ocean liner was a sign of relief at escaping from a crazy world ” – Seattle Post Intelligencer 1938
Written by John Hatashita, Yodan