| Judo is based on the movements of Ju-jitsu. | | | | gentle art". |
| The origins of Ju-jitsu can be traced back | | | | |
| two thousand years, though it is probable | | | | "Judo" is the word commonly used now |
| that the forms practised then were more like | | | | throughout the world, and the principles of |
| modern Japanese Sumo wrestling than Judo as | | | | Dr. Kano have had a lasting effect on the |
| we know it. | | | | movement. There is a very high tradition of |
| | | | good behavior and helpfulness amongst |
| Some historians think that Ju-jitsu | | | | students. |
| originated in China and came to Japan about | | | | |
| 1645, but there is evidence that it was known | | | | Judo's beginnings in the United States are |
| in Japan long before this date. The reasons | | | | rather hazy, but it is believed that the |
| for the growth of Ju-jitsu were: (1) the need | | | | sport was brought to America by President |
| for warriors to have a means of self-defense | | | | Theodore Roosevelt who, upon witnessing an |
| on occasions when they were forbidden to wear | | | | exhibition, was so impressed that he |
| their swords, and (2) the tradition that a | | | | immediately imported a Japanese instructor |
| warrior should be able to overcome a person | | | | from whom he took lessons. Today there are |
| of lower rank without the use of weapons. | | | | many Judo clubs in the U.S., though most of |
| | | | them are unaffiliated with the main |
| In the middle of the eighteenth century, | | | | organization, the Judo Black Belt Federation. |
| however, feudalism declined in Japan, and | | | | |
| with it the martial arts. Ju-jitsu masters | | | | In Britain, an early school to be established |
| were forced to close their schools for lack | | | | was The Budokwai, set up in London in 1918, |
| of pupils, and the art might have been lost | | | | by Mr. G. Koizumi. Mr. Tani became the Chief |
| altogether, but for a Dr. Jigoro Kano. He was | | | | Instructor there. Before World War I there |
| at that time a student at the Tokyo Imperial | | | | were about forty clubs in Britain affiliated |
| University, and became interested in Ju-jitsu | | | | to that school, and of course a number of |
| because he was of small stature and he had | | | | independent schools as well. Judo became so |
| heard that Ju- jitsu tricks would enable | | | | popular after the war, however, that a larger |
| people like him to hold their own in combat | | | | organization was necessary, and the British |
| with bigger people. Kano studied under | | | | Judo Association was founded in 1948, with |
| various masters, selecting those tricks which | | | | The Budokwai and its affiliated clubs as |
| he thought most valuable for his own study. | | | | early members. In the past twelve years about |
| | | | four hundred clubs have become affiliated to |
| In 1882 he opened his own school, The | | | | this organization. |
| Kodokwan, in Tokyo. As he progressed, Kano | | | | |
| came to see that Ju-jitsu was more than a way | | | | The popularity of Judo as a sport throughout |
| of defense against attacks; it was a way of | | | | the world today is so great that it has been |
| life that developed the intellect and the | | | | recognized by the Olympic Committee for |
| spirit. Kano selected those movements most | | | | inclusion in the Olympic Games. Judo provides |
| suitable for practice as a sport from the | | | | a great way to remain healthy and at peace. |
| many he had learnt, and he called the system | | | | If this subject peaks your interest, I |
| he compiled "Judo" as distinct from | | | | strongly suggest you look int oit further, as |
| "Ju-jitsu". "Judo" means "the gentle way", in | | | | you may find it to be a positive influence in |
| distinction to "Ju-jitsu", which means "the | | | | your life. |