JUDO, A BRIEF HISTORY:



                                                    Professor J. Kano circa 1900

Judo is a physical education activity started in Japan in the late nineteenth century (1882) by a leading Physical Educationalist of the time, Profession J. Kano. Being steeped in the ‘Self Help’ philosophy of English philosophers of that period, which was so popular in that epoch of Japanese history - such as J.S. Mill and Bentham. Kano intended using judo through its physical training to turn its participants into useful and worthwhile members of Japanese post Restoration society. Developing Judo from his own experience in “martial arts” Kano took the best from disciplines including Jujitsu as a basis for the skills to be used in this new sport of judo. Since those early days Judo has progressed into a popular international sport, featured in the Olympics since 1964. Judo’s objectives are still very much relevant today.



                                                                                       K. Inoue circa 2000

This is only a very brief history. We intend working in more detail as we get time-
up dates to follow. In the meantime, have a look at our "rogues' gallery" of judo figures of interest:-



JUDO FIGURES OF HISTORICAL INTEREST

The first for us to put up on the site must be the famous "avant garde" artist Yves Klien.


He was a very keen Judo man. Went to Japan to study, in about 1952/3 with the intention of getting his fourth Dan. This was while my Father was there and they struck up a friendly relationship which lasted the rest of Klien's life. Klien became a very important man in the art world. He was a member of the Zero group in Germany, although he himself was French. It could be said he really started the whole modern conceptual art movement. His pictures were very abstract and were usually blue (like in the picture-he 'made' his own colour for his paintings "Klien International Blue") or gold. He used women's bodies, flamethrowers and gold leaf (very thin gold stuck onto the surface) for his pictures. He also did a lot of what is often known as 'performance art' these days. This is a picture of his famous "Leap into the Void" work.   
                                                                                                                    
Unfortunately he died very young at 34, in 1962. If you want to know more about him follow the links....

Another very interesting and important figure in the history of Judo was my Father's teacher, Mr. T. P. Leggitt (look at the link on the link page).



He was a very intelligent man, was a Chess Grand Master, a concert pianist among many other things, he wrote many books on Zen Buddism and was a very cultured man. Judo wouldn't be what it is today if it wasn't for this man.



The President of Russia, Putin, is also a famous Judo player. He has practised in Japan. See if you can find anything else about Putin's Judo.


                                                                                                                              

Inoue Kosei (remember Japanese people have their family names first) has just retired, a couple of years ago, after winning three World Championships and Gold Medal in the Sydney Olympics. His Judo is considered by many people around the world as the best for many years. It certainly is beautiful to watch. There's a lovely three DVD boxset just out from Fighting Films on Kosei's Judo - bit late but a good Christmas present...?

Have a look at a short film of him on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzdP2rjjt6I&feature=email

See how he keeps trying to throw his opponents. You don't have to copy his throw but copy his attitude - keep trying, working, don't give up!



AND FROM THE BBC!!

Steve Backshall,

famous for his CBBC "Deadly Sixty" programme is also a 'Black Belt' at Judo.