Jigoro Kano

Jigoro Kano (1860 - 1938) learned jujutsu by studying with many masters, but was frustrated because he felt many of the techniques were inconsistent or not as effective as they could be. He applied sound scientific principles to all the techniques, improving many, disregarding others.

Kano was also interested in improving people’s health and their spiritual well-being and so his new art also reflected two other important principles:
Seiryoko zenyo - make good use of your energy
Jita kyoei - mutual welfare and benefit

Kano recognised that the purpose of physical education was to make the body strong and healthy. By their very nature, sports are competitive, and their objective has never been to foster balanced physical development or good health. Inevitably some muscles are overworked and others are neglected.

Kano called his new art judo - the gentle way, to reflect that it was much more than just fighting or sport - which is only suitable for those in the prime of their life.