What Is Judo?

Judo has its roots in the martial art of ju-jitsu, which goes back many centuries in Japanese history. It was a brutish and often lethal method of self-defence and unarmed combat. Professor Jigoro Kano the founder of judo opened the Kodokan (literally translated as the school for studying the way), in Tokyo in 1882. Because of judo's effectiveness and popularity jealous ju-jitsu masters began to question his system; the matter could only be settled by arranging a tournament between the two systems. This was done in 1886 and the outcome was a totally victorious Kodokan. From that day judo schools were established in many countries all over the world. The first to open in Europe was the Budokwai in London, which still runs today. Gunji Koizumi founded it in 1918, he later became known as the father of British judo. In 1964 judo was included in the Olympic games, it was now regarded as a modern day Olympic combat sport. However, some followers still consider it very much an 'art form'. Kano said that judo is a teaching for life itself and with it we learn to overcome the pitfalls and obstacles of everyday living.