Jigoro Kano: The Founder of Judo

In the transition from the feudal era of the Samurai to the modern sporting arena, no figure looms larger than Jigoro Kano (October 28, 1860 – May 4, 1938). A Japanese educator and martial artist, Kano transformed the disparate, often fractured schools of ancient Jujutsu into Judo—a unified system of physical, mental, and moral pedagogy.

Through his tireless work on the International Olympic Committee and his tenure as the Director of Education for the Ministry of Education in Japan, Kano elevated martial arts from a combat necessity to a global cultural phenomenon. It was under his leadership in the 1910s that Judo and Kendo were officially integrated into the Japanese public school system, forever changing the landscape of physical education.

The Scholarly Warrior

Kano’s approach to martial arts was deeply academic. He sought to distill the "maximum efficiency" of combat while removing the elements that were too dangerous for regular practice. He refined his vision under the tutelage of several masters of the old schools:

• Fukuda Hachinotsuke (Tenjin Shinyo-Ryu)

• Iso Masatomo (Tenjin Shinyo-Ryu)

• Iikubo Tsunetoshi (Kito-Ryu)

His prolific writings—including The Contribution of Judo to Education and Mind Over Muscle—argued that the discipline of the dojo should serve as a blueprint for all phases of human activity.

In His Own Words: The Philosophy of Judo

Jigoro Kano believed that the ultimate goal of martial arts was "Mutual Welfare and Benefit." He viewed every match and every argument as an opportunity for growth and truth-seeking. Below are the core principles that guided his life and the development of Judo:

“It is not important to be better than someone else, but to be better than yesterday.”

“Nothing under the sun is greater than education. By educating one person and sending him into the society of his generation, we make a contribution extending a hundred generations to come.”

“To ask may be but a moment's shame, not to ask and remain ignorant is a lifelong shame.”

“Judo is the way to the most effective use of both physical and spiritual strength. By training you in attacks and defenses it refines your body and your soul and helps you make the spiritual essence of Judo a part of your very being. In this way you are able to perfect yourself and contribute something of value to the world. This is the final goal of Judo discipline.”

“Face your fear, empty yourself, trust your own voice, let go of control, have faith in outcomes, connect with a larger purpose, derive meaning from the struggle.”

"In an argument, you may silence your opponent by pressing an advantage of strength or of wealth, or of education. But you do not really convince him. Though he is no longer saying anything, in his heart he still keeps to his opinion, the only way to make him change that opinion is to speak quietly and reasonably. When he understands that you are not trying to defeat him, but only to find the truth, he will listen to you and perhaps accept what you tell him.”

“If there is effort, there is always accomplishment.”

“Paradoxically, the man who has failed and one who is at the peak of success are in exactly the same position. Each must decide what he will do next, choose the course that will lead him to the future.”

“Walk a single path, becoming neither cocky with victory nor broken with defeat, without forgetting caution when all is quiet or becoming frightened when danger threatens.”

“Before and after practicing Judo or engaging in a match, opponents bow to each other. Bowing is an expression of gratitude and respect. In effect, you are thanking your opponent for giving you the opportunity to improve your technique.”

A Living Legacy

Jigoro Kano’s influence remains unmatched. By securing Judo’s place in the Olympics and the classroom, he ensured that the "Gentle Way" would survive the end of the Samurai era to become a sanctuary for millions seeking self-perfection.

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*This article was written by Justin Hagen and abridged, edited and restructured with Open AI. The original article can be found in its entirety within Justin Hagen's book Shodai-Soke: 101 Quotes, Anecdotes & Precepts From the Founders of Modern Japanese Martial Arts available on Amazon HERE

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About the Author

Justin Hagen is a martial artist, educator, and Japanese ukiyo-e–inspired woodburn artist who has dedicated his life to the intersection of combat tradition, history, and visual art. A martial arts practitioner since 1994, Justin also holds a B.A. in History (East Asian Studies) and an M.Ed. from DeSales University, where his graduate research focused on the impact of martial arts on student behavior.

Currently a Pennsylvania public school educator and an instructor of Kyokushin Karate, Taekwondo, and Kickboxing in Hatfield, PA, Justin is also a contributor to Black Belt Magazine. He is the author of several works, including Intent: The Path of the Warrior and Shodai-Soke: 101 Quotes, Anecdotes & Precepts From the Founders of Modern Japanese Martial Arts. Through his writing and art, he continues to explore the timeless discipline, ethics, and personal development found within the warrior’s path.