If we proceed from Japanese sources Judo’s technical arsenal is a combination of different specialization techniques of Japanese double events that deeply rooted in feudal Japan. These double events were a part of martial arts and served to train emperor’s warriors.

There is evidence that during the reign of Emperor Nara back in 710-784 grandiose tournaments in Sumo wrestling were held, but unlike Sumo as we know it today, contestants wrestled in their every day clothes.

In XI-XII centuries, Eroigumi and Kataiugumi, wrestling in military garments were widely spread.

Together with refinement of double-event techniques forms of training developed which later formed basis for the training system. Thus, e.g. jujutsu is already mentioned in XIV century, while in XVI century it has developed into another martial arts system. Tournaments were held in the imperial court. From that time on Jujutsu is another technique for physical and spiritual development.

Practically at the same period kitorius, kiosinrius and tensinsinrius schools were opened. By XIX century about 100 Jujutsu schools were active in Japan. There were special sanctuaries at schools so the training hall (doje) itself, where Confucius’ teachings, Buddhism and Sintoism were taught, was believed to be a sacred place. Each school worked out its dogmas, ceremonials and rituals for training.

Dr. Jigoro Kano (1860-1938), a greatest educator and coach, founder of Judo, came to Kyoto as a child. He studied at Naritacugaki and Ikue boarding schools. He was a weak child and he made a decision to master the jujutsu technique. After enrolling at Keise vocational school which later became the Tokyo Imperial University, Jigoro Kano started training at Tensinsinio Widaobi wrestling hall under coaches – Fukado Khatinosuke and Iso Masatomi. Later he continued practice at Kitoriu school with Ikubo Tsunetoshi. With great diligence the young man analyzed manuscripts on Jujutsu and zealously studied wrestling techniques paying greatest attention to smallest details.

In 1882 Kano was appointed an inspector and instructor at privileged Gakisiu vocational school. This gave his the possibility to refine the achievements of individual Jujutsu schools, unite them and form a strict system. Later in Sitai district in Tokyo in one of temples he opened a wrestling hall. At first there were only 12 tatamis in the hall but gradually it developed and today it is the Kodokan - Institute of Modern Judo.

Kano borrowed the best from Kitoriu Tensinsinriu and other old schools, e.g. kata, the form of technique demonstration was completely borrowed from Kitoriu school.

Kano strongly believed in the platform of old Jujutsu schools “Gentleness (flexibility) will defeat brutal force and evil”, Kano also made Judo more rational and refined. Even today his methodology of training wrestlers is actively used all over the world.

The devastation of the WW2 staggered the development of Judo but already in 1947 Judo schools started to spring up all over Japan. In 1948 the first Championship in Judo took place in Japan and shortly after that Judo Federation of Japan was founded and in London - the European Judo Federation. The first World Judo Championship was held in Japan in 1956

In March 1958 a new 7-storey building was constructed in Bumkiu district in Tokyo to house a new Kodokan centre. There were 5 small and medium-sized halls and the biggest Judo hall in the world, scientific-research centre for Judo, other supporting facilities and organizations. In 1959 Judo was officially accepted as Olympic sport and included in the program of XVIII Tokyo Olympic Games and ever since the XX Munich Olympic Games Judo has been the Olympic sport.

Kano said that Judo is the “gentle way to effectively use body and soul”. Essence of Judo is mastering the art of self-defense and combat by way of incessant training of body and fostering the will.

Training in Judo helps develop physical capacities to perfection to improve health and use personal potential to the full.