Judo is martial art born of 1800s Japan. Before Judo, there was jujutsu, an ancient Japanese martial art rooted in sumo and recorded as far back as 700s Japan. In the Samurai era of 1200 to 1,600, Jujutsu became widely adopted by samurais for close-quarter combat. After Japan modernized out of the samurai era, Jujutsu also went into decline.
In 1860, the founding father of Judo was born. Kano was a small child and experienced hardships because of his stature. Striving against his short comings, the young boy turned to martial arts and became a diligent student of Jujutsu under several Jujutsu masters. In his late teenage years, Kano began developing a new system of martial art combing elements of Jujutsu with other martial arts. In founding Judo, Kano believed that martial artists should learns to use their opponent’s aggressions and energy against them, so Judo sought to incorporate the techniques with maximum efficiency.
In 1882, at the age of 21, Kano opened his Judo dojo. Over the ensuing years, Judo would grow. In 1889, Jigoro visited Europe to introduce Judo outside of Japan. In a oft-known incident, it was said that on his voyage, a foreign made fun of him, Jigoro threw the man down but put his hand under the man’s head to prevent him from getting hurt. An episode demonstrative of the practical utility of Judo and its practitioner’s thoughtfulness for even one’s enemies.
In his life time, Jigoro dedicated his life to Judo and grew the martial art into a well recognized sport in Japan and abroad. Jigoro passed away in 1938, at sea during a voyage he made as a member of International Olympic Committee relating to Judo.
Yet, Judo would live on. Last than 20 years after his passing, Judo clubs sprang up across the world. Finally, in 1964, Judo was introduced as an Olympic sport when Tokyo hosted the 1964 Summer Olympic.
Today, As a competitive sport, Judo enjoys a far greater international viewership than even UFC/MMA. Practiced by more than 40 million people in over 180 countries, Judo has become one of the most widely practised martial arts in the world.
“For one thing, Judo in reality is not a mere sport or game. I regard it as a principle of life, art and science. In fact, it is a means for personal cultural attainment. “
Kano Jigoro
