Google’s doodle for October 28, 2021, illustrated by Los Angeles, CA-based artist Cynthia Yuan Cheng, marks the 161st birthday of Professor Kano Jigoro, known as the father of Judo. Kano was a Japanese educator, athlete, and founder of judo.
Judo literally means “the gentle way” and represents the Japanese martial art form built on principles of “justice, courtesy, safety, and modesty.” Kano invented Judo in 1882 and saw it as “a way to bring people together, even while throwing opponents to the mat.”
Kano was born in 1860 in Mikage (now part of Kobe) and moved to Tokyo with his father at the age of 11 years. In Tokyo, he learnt Jujutsu from Jujutsu master and former samurai Fukuda Hachinosuke. He created Judo during a match of Jujutsu by removing the most dangerous techniques in Jujutsu. Judo is based on Kano’s philosophy of “Seiryoku-Zenyo” which means maximum efficient use of energy and “Jita-Kyoei” which means mutual prosperity of self and others.
In 1882, Kano opened his own ‘dojo’, a martial arts gym in Tokyo, and developed Judo for years. He welcomed women in the sport in 1893. His dojo is now known as the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo. The institute is now the centre for the judo community across the world.
Kano has many honours entitled to his name including the First Order of Merit and Grand Order of the Rising Sun and the Third Imperial Degree. Kano was also the first member of the International Judo Federation (IJF) and was inducted on its Wall of Fame in May 1999.
He is also known for his contribution as the Director of primary education for the Ministry of Education from 1898 to 1901 and as the President of Tokyo Higher Normal School from 1900 to 1920. He is also credited to make Judo and Kendo part of the Japanese public school programs in 1910.