The History of Judo

Judo is a modern martial art and sport that was developed in Japan in the late 19th century. Its history is closely tied to the life and work of Jigoro Kano, who is often referred to as the founder of Judo. Here's a brief overview of the history of Judo:

Jigoro Kano and the Founding of Judo:

Jigoro Kano was born on October 28, 1860, in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. He was a physically frail child but was determined to learn traditional Japanese martial arts.

Kano began his martial arts training with jujutsu, a traditional Japanese martial art that focused on self-defence techniques using joint locks, throws, and strikes.

Kano, driven by a desire to modernise and reform the brutal and sometimes deadly techniques of jujutsu, embarked on a journey to create a new martial art. In 1882, he founded Kodokan Judo, which means "the school for the study of the way."

Judo was unique in that it emphasised the use of leverage and technique over brute strength, making it accessible to a broader range of individuals.

Development and Spread of Judo:

Kano continued to refine and codify the techniques of Judo, drawing on elements of jujutsu and his own innovations. He developed a grading system (kyu and dan ranks) to measure a practitioner's skill level.

Judo was introduced to the Japanese education system, helping to spread its popularity among young people.

The sport evolved over time, with a focus on competition and randori (sparring) becoming integral aspects of Judo.

Judo was first introduced to the world at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics as a demonstration sport and later became an official Olympic sport in 1964 when the Tokyo Olympics were held.

Judo's Philosophy and Principles:

Kano's vision for Judo extended beyond physical techniques; he also emphasised the development of character, ethics, and mutual respect among practitioners. This philosophy is encapsulated in the Judo principles of "jita kyoei" (mutual benefit) and "seiryoku zenyo" (maximum efficiency).

The moral code of Judo, known as "the way of gentleness" or "judo kyohan," stresses the importance of using one's skills responsibly and for the betterment of society.

Internationalisation and Modern Judo:

Judo gained international recognition and became a worldwide sport and martial art. It was introduced to various countries through international competitions and exchanges.

The International Judo Federation (IJF) was founded in 1951 to oversee and promote the sport globally.

Judo underwent rule changes and modifications to make it more suitable for competitive sport while maintaining its traditional values.

Today, Judo is practised by millions of people around the world, both as a competitive sport and as a means of self-improvement and physical fitness. It continues to be an Olympic sport and embodies the principles of respect, discipline, and mutual benefit that Jigoro Kano envisioned when he founded it over a century ago.