外国婦人の日本趣味柔道 / 日本写真保存センター

Judo

Judo is a sport whose beginnings stem from Kobudo (an ancient martial practice). It was founded by Jiroro Kano. Judo’s popularity has spread overseas and is a popular Olympic event.

Judo is now known as a world-class sport. However, judo’s beginnings stem from an ancient martial practice called Kobudo, which is also known as ‘Yawara’ or ‘Jiu-jitsu’.

During the Meiji and Showa eras, Jigoro Kano (1860-1938), who was instrumental in the spread of competitive sports and Olympic participation in Japan, founded judo in 1882 at Eishoji Temple in Shitaya-ku, Tokyo-shi (now Taito-ku, Tokyo). The dojo (training hall) is called ‘Kodokan’. After several relocations, it is still the world’s judo headquarters.

Following WWII, judo’s popularity spread overseas. The first World Judo Championships were held at the Kuramae Kokugikan (Stadium of National Sports) in 1956.

In 1960, judo was added to the list of official events at the 57th International Olympic Committee General Assembly.

The internationalization of judo was due to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. In addition to judo becoming an official event, Antonius Johannes Geesink, who was regarded as the ‘Dutch Giant’, had defeated Japan's champion Akio Kaminaga in the final match of the open-weight division. This remarkable feat had won him the gold medal and triggered the internationalization of judo.

At that time, Anton had raised his hand to stop a Dutch team official, who was happy with the victory, from climbing on to the tatami mat. It was reported as a symbol of the courtesy of judo’s internationalization.

Judo has continued to spread all around the world, with around 200 countries and regions participating in the International Judo Federation.

Related People, Things and Events

Men’s judo was adopted as an official sport at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. Women’s judo was included at the 1992 Barcelona games.
Visually impaired athletes compete in Paralympic judo matches. Adapted rules include referees’ announcements of “hajime” to signal the start of a match.
Sumo is a type of wrestling where Rikishi (wrestlers) fight each other in a dohyo (sumo ring). Sumo has a long history, going back to the Kofun era, which can be seen in Haniwa (unglazed pottery) shaped in the form of Sumo wrestlers. In the Nara era, Sumo was contested as an agricultural divination ritual in the imperial court – it reached its peak during the Edo era.
Japanese athletes also competed in the marathon at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, which prompted the internationalization of judo. One won a bronze medal in the marathon.
Judo and swimming are both official Olympic sports.
Baseball was also an official sport at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, which prompted the internationalization of judo.
Jigoro Kano established the Dainihon Sports Association with the aim of promoting national athletics. Gymnastics, which was first introduced to the military in the Meiji era (1968 –1912) and spread through school education, can be said to be part of this.
The autograph of Jigoro Kano, who worked to promote judo, is included as an example of a contemporary educator’s autograph.

Books

Letters and Books by Jigoro Kano

横山健堂著,講道館
嘉納治五郎の肖像。
嘉納治五郎
ウィーンで開かれたIOC総会に出席した嘉納が、昭和8（1933）年の6月に現地から永田東京市長に送った手紙
嘉納治五郎
嘉納が亡くなる1ヶ月前に、貴族院議員で当時日本体育協会会長であった下村宏に宛てた書簡。加納は死の直前まで1940年の「幻の東京オリンピック」招致に向けて奔走していた。
嘉納治五郎講述,講道館文化會編輯,講道館文化會
嘉納治五郎講述,講道館文化会
棚橋一郎, 嘉納治五郎述,哲学館
嘉納治五郎, 亘理章三郎著,金港堂書籍
嘉納治五郎, 亘理章三郎著,金港堂書籍
嘉納治五郎, 亘理章三郎著,金港堂書籍
嘉納治五郎, 亘理章三郎著,金港堂書籍