History of Judo

Kodokan Judo was originally derived from the ancient art of combat, jujitsu, which has been practiced in the Orient for over 1,000 years. It is believed to have been introduced to Japan in the mid 1600s by a Chinese, Chen Tsu U, whose lecture to three lordless samurai stimulated the development of jujitsu to a fine art. Originally, the objective of jujitsu was to kill or seriously injure the opponent, but with the advent of modern warfare it fell into disuse. Judo is a sport developed from jujitsu, utilizing its best techniques but eliminating the harmful throws and modifying others so that they can be practiced safely. Judo incorporates ethics into jujitsu; it is an art and science that is practiced as a sport to turn an opponent's strength against himself.

Kodokan Judo had its humble beginning in June 1882 in Tokyo, Japan. The first dojo (hall) founded by Dr. Jigoro Kano at Eishoji temple housed only 12 tatami (mats) and the judoka (students) numbered 9. Judo literally means "the gentle way" and the Kodokan, a hall to preach the way. Unlike jujitsu, judo was to embody mental culture as well as physical skills resulting in behaviour that would develop the student's personality. Professor Kano was aiming at the understanding and attainment of life concepts when in 1922 he formulated his principle of mutual welfare and benefit - jita kyoei.

Professor Kano defined the purpose of judo as the development of physical education (fitness) by training one's mind and body in the most efficient use of energy, not only in combat but also in everyday life. Judo is regarded as the harmonious development and eventual perfection of human character. In summary the three goals of judo are physical development, contest proficiency, and mental and moral development. In essence, the judoka should endeavor to become a valuable asset to his/her society.

 

The World of Judo

  • Judo as a Sport
  • Judo in Canada
  • Judo in Alberta
  • Judo in Calgary

Judo: "The way of gentleness".

The word "judo" shares the same root ideogram as "jujutsu": "j?" (?), which may mean "gentleness", "softness", "suppleness", and even "easy", depending on its context. Such attempts to translate ju are deceptive, however. The use of ju in each of these words is an explicit reference to the martial arts principle of the "soft method" ((??, j?h?). The soft method is characterized by the indirect application of force to defeat an opponent. More specifically, it is the principle of     More...

Judo in Canada made its debut on the west coast, when Japanese immigrants brought with them the fundamentals of the gentle art. Around 1914, Mr. Takagaki, then a 4th Dan, became one of the first teachers of judo. He opened a dojo, which was inaugurated by Master Kano himself. He later returned to Japan and reached the grade of 9th Dan.

Among the promoters of judo in Canada at that time were Messrs. Kamino and Sasaki, members of the Vancouver Kidokwan and     More...

The first judo club in Alberta was established in Raymond in 1943 with Yosh Katsuta as instructor and Yosh Senda as assistant instructor. That same year, a club was established in Picture Butte under the direction of E. Hashizume and H. Kuramoto. In the 1950s other clubs became established in Calgary by Hiro Kanashiro, in Lethbridge by Yosh Senda and in the northern part of the province at the University of Alberta by Ray Kelly and at the Edmonton Y.M.C.A. by Victor Hunt.     More...

The sport of Judo was established in Calgary in 1958 when Mutsuhiro (Hiro) Kanashiro opened a club on 8th Avenue where the Convention Centre now stands. This was the first formal club established in the city and is still in operation, though in a different location. Over the years a number of clubs have operated in Calgary at various times including S.A.I.T., The University of Calgary and the Y.M.C.A. The establishment of the Ishi Yama Judo Club under the direction of Mr. Paul Knoll in 1975 has further expanded judo in Calgary.

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