Jigoro Kano

Jigoro Kano was born in 1860 to a sake-brewing family in Mikage, Japan. He received an excellent education from his father, who was a senior clerk for a shipping line and a lay priest. He studied both traditional and Western subjects, and became fluent in English, German, and French. He also developed an interest in physical education and martial arts, especially jujutsu, which he learned from various masters. He found the existing styles of jujutsu to be too violent and impractical, so he created his own system based on the principles of maximum efficiency and mutual benefit. He called it judo, meaning "gentle way". He founded the Kodokan, the headquarters of judo, in 1882, and began teaching his students the techniques and philosophy of his art. He also introduced the use of belts and ranks to indicate the level of proficiency of judoka. He promoted judo as a way of physical, mental, and moral education, and as a means of self-defense and social service. He advocated the mottoes "seiryoku zenyo" (best use of energy) and "jita kyoei" (mutual welfare and benefit). Kano was also a distinguished educator and a pioneer of international sports. He served as the director of primary education for the Ministry of Education, and as the president of Tokyo Higher Normal School, where he introduced judo and other sports as part of the curriculum. He also founded the Japan Amateur Sports Association, and became the first Asian member of the International Olympic Committee in 1909. He represented Japan at most Olympic Games held between 1912 and 1936, and campaigned for Japan to host the 1940 Olympic Games. He also traveled around the world to spread judo and its values, and to foster friendship and cooperation among nations. He was honored with many awards and decorations, including the First Order of Merit and Grand Order of the Rising Sun and the Third Imperial Degree. Kano died in 1938 at the age of 77, while returning from an IOC meeting in Cairo. He contracted pneumonia on board the ship Hikawa Maru, and passed away peacefully. His body was cremated and his ashes were buried at the Yahashira Cemetery in Matsudo, Japan. His legacy lives on in the millions of judoka around the world, who practice his art and follow his ideals. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of martial arts and sports.