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Judo Memoirs of Jigoro Kano

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I have just finished reading an advance copy of Judo Memoirs of Jigoro Kano by Brian N. Watson (a frequent contributor to JudoInfo.com). It is expected to be available late in September and I will post a link as soon as it is. It is over 200 pages of text translated from published notes of an interview done with Jigoro Kano in the late 1920's by Torahei Ochiai. This material has been available in Japanese for many years -- it was first published in a series of articles in 1927 and 1928 in the monthly Kodokan Culture Council magazine Sako, and was re-published in 1992 in Kano Jigoro Chosakushu (Collected Works of Jigoro Kano) volume III. Only now you can read it in English and learn more about the founder of Judo, including his thoughts on a wide range of subjects.

It has a lot of early history of both the man and the Kodokan. A small sample of the section headings include:

Establishment of the Kodokan

Pain is a Good Teacher

My Study of Kito Jujutsu

The Inspiration for Seiryoku Zenyo

The Kodokan Oath

Correct Randori Posture

Competitive Judo

Kodokan's First Foreign Trainees

Kodokan Ascendancy

The Ideal Judo Instructor

Itsutsu no Kata

Purpose of the Judokai

Ju no Kata and Go no Kata

Benefiting Oneself and Others

I found lots of inspiration and information in the book. For example, the section Hardship Can be Good Medicine starts with "One thing difficult to comprehend for most people is that the attainment of confidence and a sense of contentment, which can result from mastery of the skills of judo, are to be achieved only after long years of strenuous practice against tough opponents."

The section Early Judo Instruction includes "It must be said, however, that the popularity of Kodokan judo was realized chiefly because judo enthusiasts had brought about a public awareness of its dual value as an excellent means of physical exercise and as a sporting activity."

The Kodokan keeps very tight control over the written work of Jigoro Kano. This leaves many of us starving for whatever original information is available. Thanks to Brian N. Watson for making this available in English. Mr. Watson also includes a nice essay of his own on the influence of judo on Japanese society. I enjoyed reading it and recommend it to all judoka.

The diary of Samuel Pepys has been likened to a spotlight that lit up events of English society in the 17th century. The work, Judo Memoirs of Jigoro Kano (Trafford Publishing) by Brian N. Watson, himself a Kodokan judo fourth dan and former special research student, does this also for the philosophy, methods and aims of Jigoro Kano, the "Father of Judo" - a remarkable man. The book allows us to enter Kano's mind and review his psychology, methods and goals involved in his creation - judo.

Most people on learning judo or learning of judo regard it, rightly so, as an enjoyable sport, some may have heard it described as a physical, mental, and yes, spiritual study. Few actually realize these latter potentials. This book may redress this.

In the book we learn of Kano's views on the importance of randori, judo katas, correct posture, contest judo and much general advice to judoka, but most importantly, a judoka's ethical, moral and intellectual responsibilities.

Watson has translated lectures by Kano over the years revealing to the English-speaking world, in detail, probably for the first time, Kano's aim in judo training summed up by his words: "The purpose of judo is to perfect oneself physically, intellectually and morally for the benefit of society."

The book contains a useful Glossary of terms and of personalities involved in the development of judo and a Bibliography for further reading. In Watson's "Afterword" are included potted judo biographies of Trevor Pryce Leggett, Donn F. Draeger and Noboru Murakami, all personally known to Watson and presented as men much influenced by Jigoro Kano's teachings.

This book is a must, not only for judoka but also for all dedicated budo practitioners. Serious minded kendoka will also find resonance in Kano's words in their own kendo philosophy, having been taught kendo is "the path of human development achieved through training in the principals and technique of the sword ".

In transforming the violent military techniques of jujitsu into the physical and mental system of judo, Kano truly "Wrought sword into Ploughshare".

John V. Clarke, Kendo 5th dan

Former Chairman, British Kendo Association.

To anyone interested in the history of judo, this is a unique account of the beginnings and purposes of judo, and the inspiration that came from Jigoro Kano. He believed that judo was not purely about fighting competitively, but above all, is about physical fitness and ability, with a spiritual essence. We seem to have lost some of this in today's world, where winning the competition is everything. I believe it should be in every judo player's library. Colin C. Draycott, Director of Ethics Commission, IJF, Vice President BJA

Brian Watson has done us all a major service in making available these memoirs of Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo and one of the giants of 20th century Japan. The title is unfortunately a bit misleading, however, in that Kano says little about the actual practice of Judo or his students. The strength of the volume lies in Kano's descriptions of his youth and training, development of Judo over many years, and his philosophy of the martial arts. This book should be on the bookshelf of every serious martial arts history student and every judoka.

For judo students in all degrees, for those who want more informations about Mr. Kano view of all points about Judo conception and goals, this is a precious book!!!

If you want to hear from the founder's point of view what randori is suppose to be read this book. It was a great investment and compliments the Kelly's Capers program of the USJA perfectly.

I too received an advance copy of the book from the Author and was very pleased to receive it.

As a non Japanese speaker, let alone reader; the writings of Jigoro Kano are a mystery to me. This book is a good starting point for any Judo student interested in understanding more about Judo.

The book is primarily words by Kano, but both his interviewer Torahei Ochiai and the author/translator Brian Watson add to the content.

This book is a brilliant starting point for anyone wanting to expand their Judo knowledge. The Glossary was a surprising gem, it has both word definitions and summaries about people and places in the book!