Jigaro Kano

    Judo has its roots in feudal Japan and the martial art of Traditional Jujitsu, which was practiced by the Samurai. Original Jujitsu included a large collection of techniques: punches, kicks, pressure point attacks, joint manipulation, grappling, throws, chokes, and many less scrupulous, yet effective tactics, such as eye gouging, groin strikes, and hair pulling. It was a complex, yet highly disorganized art.

    In 1877, Jigaro Kano took up the study of Jujitsu, studying under several renowned masters. Kano immersed himself in his studies, quickly becoming quit proficient at the art. However, Kano perceived several problems with the art as well. First, Jujitsu had no organized system of teaching; rather, techniques were taught haphazardly – more a collection of tactics and techniques, tricks proven on the battlefield. Second, and more importantly, there was no underlying principle to Jujitsu – just different collections of techniques that teachers knew.

    Kano pondered upon this, and came up with this principle: To make the most efficient use of mental and physical energy. Not to meet force with force, but to yield to your opponent’s force and then use their own strength against them. Any technique that fit this principle he kept – any that didn’t, he cast aside. Kano began organizing these techniques, and in 1882 founded the Kodokan, and with it, the art of Judo was born.

    One of the most important things that Kano did was bring back the art of sparring against a live opponent. Because of the dangerous and lethal manner of many of the techniques used in Jujitsu, live sparring was only done at a few schools, and only the most advanced students would participate. Most Jujitsu was taught strictly through kata. How then was a student truly supposed to learn to apply these techniques? Kano’s answer: Randori, which became the central training method of Judo. Kano believed that without continued practice against a live, resisting opponent a student would never be able to gain the proper physical and mental agility to cope with the rapidly changing situations in combat.

    However, many dangerous techniques still existed – how were students to practice at full strength against their partners without injury? Kano eliminated most of the most dangerous elements, focusing on throws and grappling techniques that when used correctly, would allow a training partner to “tap out”, yet used in a street situation would still snap an arm or choke an opponent into unconsciousness. This allowed students to practice at full strength, yet not cause harm to each other.

    Judo quickly gained popularity in Japan, replacing Jujitsu. Judo became so popular that classes were held in schools, and the art became an Olympic sport. It remains today one of the most popular grappling arts in the world.

    It is worthy of note to mention that the Jiu-jitsu popularized today is not the art from which Judo sprang. Actually, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has its roots in Judo - when Maeda, a top student of Jigaro Kano, moved to Brazil and there taught Judo to the Gracie family, among others. These later generations from Maeda created the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and named it after the more ancient art of Jujitsu.

Member of the Chi Yui Judo Association