Master Kano Jigoro

Popularly believed to be the father of modern sports in Japan, and founder of Judo, Kano Jigoro was born on 28 October 1860. As a small, weak child he fell victim to local bullies on a regular basis and this eventually drove him to learn the techniques to strengthen his body in order to defend himself. At this time jujutsu was flourishing in the cities and Jigoro was looking forward to moving to Tokyo, not only to enrol in the university but to study the art of jujutsu.

His appetite for improvement and knowledge of the art eventually led him to Hachinosuke Fukuda, a master in the Tenjin-Shinyo School of Jujitsu. The teachings of Fukuda concentrated on free-style fighting techniques (randori) until a certain level of proficiency was reached when instruction would be given in the formal exercises (kata).

Although Fukuda died suddenly a year later, Jigoro continued to train vigorously under Masatomo Iso, an elderly instructor who was well known for his excellence in kata. His dedication was rewarded: by the time he was 20 he was instructing his own group of students, and at 21 he had became a master in Tenjin-shinyo-ryu jujitsu. His next move was to the Kito School of Jujutsu where he continued his training under Tsunetoshi Iikubo. All the while he was gathering knowledge of techniques used in other martial arts, and even began to reform jujutsu based on scientific principles – incorporating combat training with mental and physical education.

In 1882, with nine of his private students from the Kito-ryu, Kano Jigoro established his own dojo in Eishoji Temple. During these early years, the students were instructed by the Kito-ryu master, Iikubo, two or three times a week. Gradually, through Jigoro's system of training, the transition from jujutsu to judo was being established. Some believe the turning point was the day that Iikubo was defeated for the first time by Jigoro, through his application of kuzushi (off-balancing methods).

Within the next two years the Kodokan laws were established, Jigoro declaring it was "a new system for physical culture, mental training and winning contests – this I call Kodokan Judo". It was 1909 before it became an official foundation. Judo had now become a way of life for Jigoro, although there was great rivalry between students of jujutsu and judo. However, with the respect that Jigoro commanded in his popular sport, and as a teacher, judo eventually reigned supreme and by 1892 there were over 100 students practicing judo at the Kodokan. Throughout this time Jigoro had managed to hold down a full time teaching job, establish and run his own judo school, and become a family man but in 1894 he decided to hand the management of the Kodokan over to the Kodokan Council.

Despite his devotion to judo, Jigoro had a keen interest in all sports and, in 1911, he founded the Japan Athletics Association. He also became Japan's first member of the International Olympic Committee. About this time the Judo Teachers’ Training Department was set up. A decade later the Kodokan Dan Grade Holders Association was established, and in 1932 the Judo Medical Research Society was formed.

Continuing to teach kata well into his old age, Jigoro finally passed away in May 1938 struck down by pneumonia. But that is not quite the end of the story. In 1952, a long term dream of Kano Jigoro was realised when the International Judo Federation was established.