Professor Jigoro Kano
Founder of Judo
Born in Mikage, October 28, 1860
Professor Jigoro Kano earned his degree in Literature in 1881 and continued his education with a degree in Philosophy. Professor Kano was a leading educationalist and a prominent figure in Japan.
Judo came from the ancient Japanese art of Jujitsu. Both of these systems deal with hand-to-hand combat. With Judo, you do not over power your opponent with strength, but you use skill and flexibility to let your opponent over power him/herself. You become soft and pliable, winning by yielding. Conserving energy by balance and movement. Judo means gentle way.
Professor Kano did not study the arts to show physical prowess or superiority. He studied to learn how to live in peace with the people around him. Professor Kano studied Jujitsu under many different masters. Through these studies, Professor Kano developed the main principle of Judo - Seiryoku Zenyo meaning maximum efficiency in mental and physical energy. It has been shortened to maximum efficiency with minimum effort. He believed one should use the energy of the other person to defeat the aggressor. The second principle is Jita Kyoei - mutual welfare and benefit. He called this system Kodokan Judo.
Professor Kano founded his Kodokan (school to learn the way), in Tokyo, Japan in 1882. Judo training emphasizes four things: Mental, Moral, Character and Physical Development. Today Judo is starting to get the recognition that it deserves. |
