Kodokan Judo

Judo is a practical self-defense art derived from Jujitsu practiced in Japan during the feudal era. Jujitsu was an art for unarmed combat, practiced by Japanese samurai.

As a weak child, Prof. Jigoro Kano learned Jujitsu to learn to defend himself against bullies. As he grew older, he saw how Jujitsu could be improved, and fashioned his improvements into what became known as Judo. In 1882, Kano established The Kodokan, which is viewed as the "home" of Judo.

In the beginning, the Kodokan had only nine disciples. The Kodokan become famous when its students resoundingly defeated Jujitsu atheletes at the Tokyo Police Bujitsu Content in 1886.

Prof. Kano proceeded to promote Judo globally, and became the first Asian member of the International Olympic Committee in 1909. Judo became an official event in the Olympic Games of 1964, backed by Judo fans and sport promoters all over the world. It is now a popular sport almost anywhere in the world.

Judo is primarily separated into Nagewaza (throwing techniques), Katamewaza (grappling techniques) and Atemiwaza (striking techniques).