Where does judo come from?
Quick answer
Judo comes from Japan. It was created in 1882 by educator Jigoro Kano, who founded the Kodokan school in Tokyo. Kano adapted techniques from older jujutsu styles into a safer sport focused on throws, holds and pins. The name means “the gentle way.” Judo became an Olympic sport at the Tokyo Games in 1964.
Key facts
- Origin
- Japan
- Founder
- Jigoro Kano (1860–1938)
- Founded
- 1882, Kodokan, Tokyo
- Olympic debut
- 1964 (men), 1992 (women, full medal event)
“The gentle way”
Ju means “gentle” or “yielding,” and do means “way.” Kano’s key idea was to use an opponent’s force and balance against them, rather than meeting strength with strength. His two guiding principles were:
- Maximum efficiency with minimum effort
- Mutual welfare and benefit, meaning judo should improve both the person and society
Judo vs jujutsu
| Jujutsu | Judo | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Combat techniques of samurai | Sport, education and self-development |
| Dangerous strikes | Included | Removed from competition |
| Training | Mostly set patterns | Live practice called randori (free sparring) |
The belt system
Kano invented the colored belt system, which many other martial arts later adopted. A black belt (shodan) marks a solid foundation, not the end of learning. In the Kodokan system, the highest ranks wear red belts.
Olympic judo
Judo debuted at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. In a famous upset, Dutch judoka Anton Geesink beat Japan’s champion in the open-weight category, showing the sport had become truly international. Women’s judo became a full Olympic medal event in 1992.
Japan has won the most Olympic judo medals of any country, followed by France.
How judo is scored
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ippon | A perfect throw or 20-second hold; wins instantly |
| Waza-ari | A good but not perfect technique; two make an ippon |
Players can also win by forcing a submission with an armlock or choke.
Judo around the world
France has more registered judo players than Japan, with hundreds of thousands of members. Paralympic judo is practiced by visually impaired athletes, who begin each match already gripping their opponent.
For where the modern Olympics began, see which country hosted the first modern Olympics.
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