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