THE STORY

The history of Judo goes way back to the middle ages of Japan. Find out how it became the great martial art that is today through a brief and (comical) history.
LET’S GO BACK TO THE TIME OF THE SAMURAI…

1532 was the very beginning of Japan’s martial art forms, including jujitsu.

For the next several hundred years the samurai practiced and refined the martial arts.

This doesn't look humanly possible!

Jujitsu was the only self defense martial art that did not involve any weapons.

Wouldn’t weapons make combat easier though?

Of course, but that’s what made jujitsu so awesome! Samurai could defend themselves anywhere anytime without heavy armor or swords!

And guess what?

Judo doesn’t involve weapons either! Judo was actually derived from jujitsu.

WEEEEE! .......

Blank stare from Joe.

Okay...I guess I’ll take over from here. The man who derived Judo from jujitsu was Professor Jigoro Kano. He founded the Judo Institute in 1882.

Professor Kano was a short, slender and weak child, just like me! But he learned how to use his opponent’s strength to his benefit. He proved that being small does not limit one’s physical abilities.

Doe says: Joe is a beast! He can take me down in an instant! I don’t know how he does it. Joe say :Haha yes. Well I can explain...

Professor Kano created Judo around "maximum efficiency and minimum effort".

This concept is known as "Seiryoku Zen’yo". Professor Kano used the most efficient techniques from jujitsu and added some of his own when developing Judo.

Professor Kano made many changes to jujitsu in order to establish Judo as a competitive sport.

He omitted the more dangerous techniques so that Judo could be a safe sport for everyone.

Doh says: It doesn’t matter how old you are... Joe says: ...Or what size you are. Judo is for everyone!

Today Judo is enjoyed by more than 400,000 men, women and children. There are many reasons for learning Judo. Judo provides exercise, relaxation, sport, an interesting challenge, balance, coordination, self-protection and self-confidence. Judo offers a fellowship unlike other sports, and develops a keen desire to coordinate mind and body. Sheer weight, height, strength, and age are not the governing factors of your abilities.

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