Dr. Jigoro Kano

This First Installment is about an insight into Dr. Jigoro Kano. Judo means the “Gentle Way”. Judo began in 1882 and Kano named his judo Kodokan. Dr. Kano’s judo spread rapidly internationally, and seventy-eight years later world competition began and in 1964 the first Olympics with Judo was held in Tokyo, Japan for men. Women’s Judo entered the Olympics officially in 1992 at Barcelona, Spain.

During the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, California Dr. Kano made the following comments in a lecture given at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles:

“During my youth I studied jujutsu under three famous masters. I learned a lot through this experience and decided to continue my studies with more vigor. In 1882 I established a private hall called the Kodokan. The name implies that the hall was a place for teaching a ‘way’ and ‘do’ implies a way of life. What I teach is not a technique (jujutsu) but a ‘way’. The principle of a ‘way’ is that it is applicable to other aspects of a judoka’s life. In other words, this principle is useful for improving one physically for strength and health. Judo is useful for spiritual and moral improvement intellectually. When used for the improvement of food, clothing, dwelling, social intercourse, business and so forth, Judo becomes the practice of life itself. This principle, which runs through these matters I have named ‘Judo’. Therefore the true meaning of Judo is the study and practice of mind and body. Judo is the model for daily life an work.”

The basic foundation of Kano’s thought is a judoka should be well educated and this cultivation of thought encompasses all aspects of a persons life. Therefore, a Judoka is not only physically in shape for competition and practice but is trying to perfect one’s own character. To constantly improve oneself physically as a judoka is important. However, to improve one’s own character is more important.