The Father of Judo: A Biography of Jigoro Kano (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior) [Hardcover]

Brian N. Watson (Author), Yukimitsu Kano (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Bushido--The Way of the Warrior | Publication Date: October 16, 2000

This biography offers an in-depth look at the life of Jigoro Kano (1860-1938), the founder of Judo and the driving force behind the Olympic event practised by millions worldwide.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... effectively puts across Kano's many achievements." -- Graham Dwyer, The Daily Yomiuri

"... provides considerable detail on early judo competitions and a chronology of judo's development." -- Japan Quarterly

About the Author

Brian N. Watson was born in Middlesbrough, England, in 1942. He trained in judo at the Renshuden and the Budokwai in London, gaining a 2nd dan, and later at Chuo University, Tokyo. He was formerly a Special Research Student at the Kodokan, Tokyo, where he gained a 4th dan. A university lecturer and translator, he is English correspondent for the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, and is married with two daughters.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha International (JPN) (October 16, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770025300
• ISBN-13: 978-4770025302
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,939,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Warm and Fuzzy, February 4, 2001

By 

Peter Claussen (Brookings, SD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Father of Judo: A Biography of Jigoro Kano (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior) (Hardcover)

I was disappointed with the lack of scholarly research in this book. There are only six references listed, none of which are Kano's original writings. For someone as important in the modern Olympic movement as the author depicts Kano, there must be some of Kano's work extant. The author provides a large number of quotes and conversations, several from letters Kano wrote, but does not provide sources for this. Most of the conversations seem stilted and forced. I can't say I gained much insight into Kano's philosophy and the development of Kodokan judo.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Close, but..., January 26, 2005

By 

L. J. Butler (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Father of Judo: A Biography of Jigoro Kano (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior) (Hardcover)

Available for 5 years now, one can still pick up a First Edition copy in most book stores. Mr. Watson does a fine job at basically presenting Kano Jigoro to a public that is especially starved of information about the man and his many accomplishments, on and off the mat.

However, from the perspective of good biography and as an historical work, it does not go nearly deep enough into Kano's life and, frustratingly so, can (and does) leave the reader with more questions than answers about this remarkable man's life.

That said, there is so very little that has been written about Kano that I grudgingly rate it at 4 stars. For this reason alone, I think it belongs on the library shelf of any self-respecting judoka. Mr. Watson, however, could have given this subject a much more extensive treatment.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good start, September 1, 2001

By 

J. Webb (Dallas, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Father of Judo: A Biography of Jigoro Kano (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior) (Hardcover)

For most judo students, this will provide an excellent introduction to the founder of judo. Prior to this, there was very little available on the life of Jigoro Kano and the majority of judo students only knew Kano from a question sure to be on the promotion test and perhaps a picture in the practice hall. I, for one, would like to see Brian Watson go back to his notes and provide us with a much more detailed tome.