Jigoro

Jigoro Kano (1860–1938) was a Japanese educator and the founder of Judo, a modern martial art and sport. Born in Mikage, Hyōgo Prefecture, he pursued higher education while studying various forms of jujutsu. He sought to create a system that could be practiced safely in education and sport, combining physical training with moral and intellectual development.

In 1882 he established the Kodokan in Tokyo, the central dojo where Judo was taught and refined. He organized a formal curriculum, introduced a ranking system with kyu and dan levels, and developed techniques that emphasized efficiency and safety over brute force. Kano named his martial art “Judo” (the gentle way) and framed it around two guiding principles: seiryoku zenyo (maximum efficiency, minimum effort) and jita kyoei (mutual welfare and benefit).

Under his direction, Judo disciplines were standardized, and the art spread internationally, aided by Kano’s efforts to promote physical education and international exchange. He also contributed to education policy and held positions in teacher training and higher education in Japan; later in life he traveled to promote Judo worldwide.

Kano died in 1938 in Tokyo, but the Kodokan and the sport of Judo continued to grow. Judo’s status as an Olympic sport was established in 1964, and Kano’s legacy endures in the sport’s emphasis on discipline, balance, and respect.