The History of Judo

The Kodokan was founded in 1882 by the late

Prof. Kano who himself had established Judo.

Judo was derived from Jujitsu

which had many names and schools.

Jujitsu is an art for either attacking others

or defending oneself with nothing

but one's own body.

Prof. Kano adopted the superlative parts of

all the Jujitsu schools, got rid of precarious parts,

and established the new Kodokan Judo

based on his own insight and arrangement.

It started with only nine disciples and

a twelve-mat dojo.

The Kodokan Judo was recognized

in a few years to be excellent

since its students overwhelmed the

Jujitsu athletes at the Police Bujitsu Contest.

This really was the first step for its

future rapid progress.

Prof. Kano promoted judo as a physical exercise

from a wide national point of view.

Proceeding with the organization of

the Kodokan and enacting the regulations of Judo,

he became the first Asian member of

the International Olympic Committee

in 1909 and worked for the spread of Judo

world-wide.

Judo became an official event in the

Olympic Games of 1964, backed by Judo fans

and sport promoters all over the world.

It is now a very popular sport

almost anywhere in the world.