Kanō Jigorō

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Lore & Background

Kanō Jigorō was born to a sake-brewing family in the town of Mikage, Japan (now within Higashinada-ku, Kobe). His father Kanō Jirōsaku was an adopted son who worked as a lay priest and senior clerk for a shipping line. Kanō's mother died when he was nine, after which his father moved the family to Tokyo. As an adolescent, Kanō stood 1.57 m (5 ft 2 in) and weighed only 41 kg (90 lb). He was frequently bullied at Ikuei Academy due to his small size and intellectual nature, to the point other students sometimes dragged him out to beat him up. A family friend, Nakai Baisei, showed Kanō a few jūjutsu techniques by which a smaller man might overcome a larger opponent, sparking his interest. Despite his father's discouragement, Kanō eventually gained permission to train. He matriculated at Tokyo Imperial University in 1877 and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy in 1882. During university, he sought jūjutsu teachers, first studying Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū under Fukuda Hachinosuke, then Iso Masatomo, and later Kitō-ryū under Iikubo Tsunetoshi. Iikubo issued Kanō a formal menkyo certificate in Kitō-ryū in October 1883. Kanō founded judo in the early 1880s, and his teacher Iikubo initially came to support his teaching at the Kodokan two or three times a week. Eventually Kanō began defeating Iikubo in randori by applying the principle of breaking the opponent's posture before throwing.

Reader's Guide

Kanō Jigorō's significance lies in his creation of judo, which became the first Japanese martial art to achieve Olympic status and global recognition. His pedagogical innovations—black and white belts and dan ranking—became standard in many martial arts. As the first Asian member of the International Olympic Committee (serving from 1909 to 1938), he officially represented Japan at most Olympic Games held between 1912 and 1936 and served as a leading spokesman for Japan's bid for the 1940 Olympic Games. His professional roles included serving as director of primary education for the Ministry of Education from 1898 to 1901, and as president of Tokyo Higher Normal School from 1900 until 1920. He was the educational founder of Nada Middle High School in Kobe. Kanō also helped Gichin Funakoshi and other masters introduce and systematize karate in Japan, and promoted swimming, athletics, weightlifting, and other forms of physical education. He was a high member of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai and played a key role in making judo and kendo part of Japanese public school programs. His official honors included the First Order of Merit and Grand Order of the Rising Sun and the Third Imperial Degree. Kanō was inducted as the first member of the International Judo Federation Hall of Fame on 14 May 1999.

Did You Know?

• Kanō stood only 1.57 m (5 ft 2 in) and weighed 41 kg (90 lb) as an adolescent, and was frequently bullied at Ikuei Academy.
• Kanō learned the 'fireman's carry' throw (kataguruma) from a book on western catch wrestling and used it to defeat a senior student.
• On 5 August 1879, Kanō participated in a jūjutsu demonstration for former U.S. president Ulysses S. Grant at the home of Shibusawa Eiichi.
• Kanō was the first Asian member of the International Olympic Committee, serving from 1909 to 1938.
• Kanō's cousin Kenji Kanō founded one of the first western boxing clubs in Japan.