There are more than 1,000 different forms of martial arts scattered around the world and dating back more than 2,000 years ago. When the martial arts started and where no one really knows. In our western culture we can date the development of martial arts such as archery and wrestling to ancient Greece. However there is evidence that martial art training dates to Babylonian times.

In the far east development of the Oriental martial arts is a bit more obscure. It is generally accepted that the martial arts developed its roots in ancient China among the monks who used weaponless fighting techniques to protect themselves. It is not known which type of unarmed techniques were used first, but it is clear that specialization was the custom. Combinations of different forms of fighting were unknown. Despite the ruling classes wanting to keep unarmed combat techniques secret, through commerce and migration, the martial arts spread from China throughout the east. The earliest chronicle concerning the martial arts is the Nihon Shoki which discusses Japanese wrestling and dates back to 720 AD. Since then, the martial arts have developed into a variety of systems that were the precursors of today's modern martial arts. Despite the development of many types of weaponry, unarmed combat remains a skill practiced all over the world.


The origin of Japan's martial arts is vague, and what we know of it, is more legend than truth. However, the takenouchi-ryu martial art system founded in 1532 is considered the beginning of Japan's jujitsu forms. The system's founder taught jujitsu in a structured and methodical manner.






kano5 Judo History


In the seaside town of Mikage, near Kobe, Japan, Jigoro Kano was born on October 28, 1860. In 1871, Kano's family moved to Tokyo.








In 1886, because of rivalry between jujitsu schools and Judo, a contest was held to determine the superior art. Kano's Judo students won the competition easily, thus establishing the superiority of Judo, its popular principles and its practical techniques.


Starting in 1889 Kano left Japan to visit Europe and the U. S. He traveled abroad a eight times to teach Judo and several times to attend the Olympics and its committee meetings. Often in the face of extreme hardship, several of Kano's students devoted their lives to develop Judo in foreign countries.






By 1910 Judo was a recognized sport that could be safely engaged in and in 1911 it was adopted as a part of Japan's educational system. In the same year, the Kodokan Judo Instructors' Training Department, Kodokan Black Belt Association and Japan Athletic Association were formed. Beginning with the fifth Olympiad in Stockholm, Kano attended every Olympic Game and International Olympic Committee meeting and became a leading figure in international sport.


jujitsu1921 Judo History
Judo in Europe in 1921 — osotogari, osotomakikomi, seoinage

In 1921 the Judo Medical Research Society was born.


In his lifetime, 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.

Apart from being an innovator and administrator, Kano was also a skilled player as testified to by a high-ranking Judoka who, when asked about his experience in competing against Kano, said, 'It was like fighting with an empty jacket"!'









523800-President-Ford Judo History America's first introduction to Judo was in the late 1800's. In 1904, Yoshitsugu (Yoshiaki) Yamashita, one of Kano's students, traveled to the US and taught this Japanese sport to Theodore Roosevelt and West Point cadets. Although many local clubs and regional associations developed, attempts to organize Judo on a national basis were not successful. During the early 1930's Judo was taught at several colleges in California. In 1932 Kano lectured on Judo at the University of Southern California. In this same year four US Judo associations were formed and later became recognized by the Kodokan as representatives of American Judo.



American Judo received a further boost in the early 1950's when General Curtis Lamay required its teaching to US Air Force personnel in the Strategic Air Command. In 1953 Judo was officially recognized as an AAU sport and national tournaments have been held since.

Kano made drastic changes in ancient jujitsu to suit the needs of his time; the acceptance of change is inherent in Judo. Everything about this martial art encourages us to make changes as required. In today's globalization of people and economy, Judo will undergo tremendous change. Its adaptability lends itself to the changing needs of society and the individual.



…..Chinese proverb


The author of this page is Phil Rasmussen and it is provided here by Neil Ohlenkamp, Encino Judo Club, USA. Copyright © 1999/2003. Last modified August 11, 2003.