Father of modern Japanese Martial ways.
Jigoro Kano was born on October 28, 1860, With his family, he moved to Tokyo in 1871. There was a time when Japan was subjected to a series of political and cultural changes. The Tokugawa Shogunate had collapsed and imperial rule was restored. When even the samurai wearing of swords was prohibited in those years (1876), this also meant the decline of the martial arts. Many Ju-Jitsu masters had to search for new activities. He began budo training at the age of 17, in the dojo of Hachinosuke Fukuda, a master in the Tenjin-Shinyo School of Jujitsu, who had been recommended by Dr. Yagi. Fukuda stressed technique over formal exercises, or kata. His method was to give an explanation of the exercises, but to concentrate on free-style fighting in practice sessions. Jigoro Kano’s emphasis on “randori” in Judo undoubtedly found its beginnings here under Fukuda’s influence. The Kodokan’s procedure of teaching beginners the basis of Judo, then having them engage in randori and only after they had attained a certain level of proficiency, teaching them the formal kata, came from Fukuda and a later sensei named Iikubo. Jigoro instructed 20 or 30 students, starting with kata and then moving on to free fighting. By the time he was 21 years old in 1881, Kano had become a master in Tenjin-shinyo-ryu jujitsu. Dr. Kano found that each of the various Jujitsu schools had techniques of merit, but no one school gave him compete mastery. Also, at this time in Japan, the Jujitsu schools had a reputation of having aggressive, thuggish students, who would use their techniques in an antisocial way. This led Dr. Jigoro Kano to found the Kodokan Judo in 1882. It combined a compilation of what was best of the Jujitsu techniques, not just a dangerous martial art, but a new system of physical culture and mental training that would benefit each student’s whole like, and that of society as well.
The first Kodokan Judo dojo was a modest 12-mat (about 12 x 18 foot) room in Eisho Temple, where Dr. Kano lived. There were only nine students the first year. In the year 1886, the Chief of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Board was interested in choosing a form of physical conditioning for his police officers. He admired the tenets of the new Kodokan Judo, but like many others, felt that its practical merits had never been proven in combat. To settle this matter, a tournament was held between the Kodokan Judo and the Totsuka School of Jujitsu, the school with the greatest martial arts reputation. Each side sent 15 men. With the Chief of Police looking on, Kodokan members won 13 matches, and drew two! No Kodokan Judo member was defeated. At that time, the Kodakan taught forms of Aikido, Kendo, Bujuitsu, Karate. Jigoro Kano always thought in terms of Judo. To him, a kyudoka was a Judoman using a bow and arrow and a kendoka was a Judoka with a sword.
From 1876, Jigoro Kano attained a doctorate degree in Judo, a degree equivalent to the twelfth dan, awarded to the originator of Judo only. He constantly worked to ensure the development of athletics and Japanese sport in general, and as a result is often called the ”Father of Japanese Sports”. In 1935 he was awarded the Asahi prize for his outstanding contribution to the organizing of sport in Japan during his lifetime. Martial arts did not appear out of nowhere, fully formed, in the mind of the father of Japanese martial arts. Dr. Kano was appointed to Minister of Education of Japan preparing Japan for its history of world war II. Dr. Kano stated that all Close-quarter fighting systems came from the samurai. The uniforms that Dr. Kano designed, the ranking system he installed, the foundation of all modern Japanese martial ways evolved. Dr. Kano sent his students out to help all the other martial arts of Japa, of which were in danger of dimise. Jigoro Kano’s Bujutsu students laid the foundation of Judo, Kendo, Kyudo, Karate, Aikido, Iaido, Jodo & many others.
He also learned techniques from other schools know, sought other teachers on and dealt with the study of “Densho”, the secret written records of the martial arts. When pooling all the advantages of the best techniques of various schools, as well as by adding your own ideas, he came to the creation of systems, suitable both for physical and mental training, as well as for carrying out of competitions Kano called this system “Kodokan JUDO “. He said: “What I teach is not just Jitsu - art or technique course I teach Ju-Jitsu, - but it is,” DO “(way or principle) what I want to pay special attention.”. For this reason, he borrowed the term “Ju-Do” from a single school when he was needed, the “Jikishin-Ryu”. In order to distinguish his system from the Jikishin-Ryu, he called it, which is taught at the Kodokan Judo Kodokan JUDO (= Kodokan hall to the study of the “Path”).
At the age of 22, he refers in May 1882 his first dojo in Eisho Temple (12 tatami). This meant the founding of the Kodokan. Among his first students Tomita Tsunejiro, Higuchi Seiko, Arima Junshin, Saigo Shiro included, inter alia, At the same time J. Kano was a lecturer at the Gakushuin School, the school for aristocratic in Tokyo.
The following years were very turbulent. Often his students were challenged by other (still existing) Ju-Jitsu Ryu to fight. But every Kano Shihan was able to prove the superiority of his system. Benefited from Kano while his fighters also set free-fight standards. Two of his students were particularly feared: Saigo Shiro (in novels better known as Sugata Sanshiro) with his special technique “Yama-arashi” and Yokoyama Sakujiro, known as “devil” Yokoyama. Jigoro Kano repeatedly made aware of the strong moral and educational value of his art. So he formulated his thoughts on the following leitmotifs in judo “Be Ryoku Zen ‘Yo” and “Jita Kyoei”: “Turn away your energy for good” and “well-being for all.”
Jigoro Kano’s resume
Born on 28 October 1860 in Mikage
1877 started with Jiu-Jitsu Training [teacher Katagiri Ryuji]
1882 Construction of the first Judo school [Kodokan] on the grounds of the Eisho-ji Temple in Tokyo
1889 traveled to Europe and studied the educational opportunities
1891 married Sumako resigned from his position as professor of Gakushuin and was adviser to the Ministry of Education, Director of the “Fifth National High School” in Kumamoto
1893 became head of the library department of the Ministry of Education, was appointed head of the “first national high school”, became the head of the Tokyo University of Education
1897 resigned from his position as head of the College of Education and was re-appointed in October
1898 resigned as head of the College of Education down again became head of the department of elementary matter of the Ministry of Education
1901 was re-appointed as Director of the College of Education
1902 Establishment of a school for exchange students from China
1909 became a member of the International Olympic Committee
1911 became president of the Japan Athletic Association
1912. visited the Olympic Games in Stockholm
1920 resigned from his position as head of the college of education down again, the VII visited the Olympic Games in Antwerp
1922 resignation from the office of the President of the Athletics Association; He is Honorary President, the establishment of the Association of the Dan-carrier
1924 was appointed professor emeritus of College of Education
1928 attended the IX. Olympic Games in Amsterdam
1932 attended the Tenth Olympic Games in Los Angeles
1933 visited Europe to Tokyo as a place for the XII. Olympics propose
1934 attended the meeting of the International Olympic Committee
1936 attended the XI. Olympic Games in Berlin
1938 died on May 4, aboard the SS “Hikawa Maru” pneumonia. He was on his way home from Cairo, where the International Olympic Committee to carry out the XII. Olympic games in Tokyo had decided
Laid down on 23 April 1987 the Japanese Budo Association (Nippon Budo shingikai), defines the term “Budo” and the meaning of “Budo training.” The set up for that purpose “Budo Charter Committee” were well-known and official representatives from the following Budo disciplines: Judo, Kendo, Kyudo, Sumo, Karatedo, Aikido, Shorinji Kempo, Naginata and Jukendo (bayonet fencing).
The development of Kodokan can also be very well read on the number of tatami:
• 12 mats (May 1882 Eishoji temple)
• 10 mats (February 1883, Jimocho / Canada)
• 20 mats (September 1883, Shihan’s House, Kojimachi)
• 40 mats (spring of 1887, Mr. Shinagawa’s House, Kojimachi)
• 60 mats (April 1890, Hongo-ku, Masaga-cho)
• 107 mats (February 1894, Koishikawa-cho, Shimotomisaka-cho)
• 207 mats (November 1897, Koishikawa, Shimotomisaka-cho)
• 314 mats (January 1898, Sakashita Otsuka-cho)
• 514 mats (December 1919, 1-chome, Kasuga-cho, Bunkyo-ku)
• 986 mats (March 1958, 2-chome, Kasuga-cho, Bunko-ku)
Budo THE CHARTER
Budo, rooted in the spirit of warriors of ancient Japan, is an aspect of its traditional culture in which have been in a continuous historical and social development over the centuries developed the martial arts of the “jutsu” to “Do”. The basic idea of the following, according to the spirit and technique are one unit, Budo was developed and refined in the through discipline, seriousness, etiquette, training of technique and physical strength to the unity of mind and body is sought to a form. Modern Japanese have inherited these values and they play an essential role in the formation of the Japanese personality character. In modern Japan the budo spirit is a source of powerful energy and the satisfaction of individuals in. Today Budo is spread throughout the Far and enjoys an international interest. A persistence in an exclusively technically oriented education and a “Winning want at any price”, however, are examples of this that the essence of Budo is threatened. In order to prevent a perversion of art, we are encouraged to help us continually examine and strive to preserve this national heritage and to perfect. In the hope that the basic principles of traditional Budo permanently, they Budo Charter was written.
ARTICLE 1: PURPOSE
The purpose of budo is to cultivate character, enrich the ability to assess and decision and participation in physical and mental training utilizing martial techniques.
ARTICLE 2: KEIKO
In daily practice, one must constantly follow the rules of decorum, must remain true to the principles and resist the temptation to run a focused exclusively on technical skills training, rather than to strive for the unity of mind and technique.
ARTICLE 3: SHIAI
In a competition, and in the performance of kata, the Budo Spirit must reveal. Make the effort to the utmost! Victories with humility, take defeats willingly and show always an appropriate attitude!
ARTICLE 4: DOJO
The dojo is a sacred place for the training of our mind and body. Here discipline, proper etiquette and formality must prevail. The practice site must provide a quiet, clean, safe and serious atmosphere.
ARTICLE 5: TEACHING
To while teaching to be an effective teacher, a Budo master must always strive to cultivate the character and skills of its students and to promote the mastery of mind and body. He / she should not be fickle, or display arrogance of superior ability, but always show an attitude that is suitable as a model by winning or losing.
ARTICLE 6: DISTRIBUTION
When promoting budo one should follow traditional values and the essence of training, contribute to the utmost, to explore these traditional arts and maintain with an understanding of international perspectives.
Iaijo Dojo
Karate Judo Aikido
2217 Hwy 87E.
Billings, Mt. 59101
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