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The Way of Judo: A Portrait of Jigoro Kano and His Students
A martial arts biography of the legednary founder of judo, Jigoro Kano, and the colorful coterie of disciples who wanted to carry on his legacy
Kodokan judo, one of the most well-known martial arts in the world today, was originated by Jigoro Kano (1860–1938), a martial artist and career educator who developed the art after studying several types of jujutsu, sumo, and Western wrestling. Openness and refinement were hallmarks of his personal and professional style, and he relentlessly searched for the best way to practice, teach, and perform techniques.
This biography shows how Kano saw judo as a vehicle not just for self-defense, but for physical, spiritual, and moral development as well. His teachings clearly emphasize his ideal of judo as a way of self-cultivation that leads to physical health, ethical behavior, and ultimately a better society. Kano was a tireless activist who promoted the practical application of judo’s principles in all realms of life—in one’s personal behavior, for education, in work, for economic benefit, and in both the local and international political arenas.
Kano’s students were a colorful, sometimes notorious bunch, and this book reveals how several went on to become famous—or infamous—in their own right. They include a prime minister of Japan, the leader of the Communist party in China, a famous novelist, a spy, high-level military leaders, and a media mogul, among many others.
Kodokan judo, one of the most well-known martial arts in the world today, was originated by Jigoro Kano (1860–1938), a martial artist and career educator who developed the art after studying several types of jujutsu, sumo, and Western wrestling. Openness and refinement were hallmarks of his personal and professional style, and he relentlessly searched for the best way to practice, teach, and perform techniques.
This biography shows how Kano saw judo as a vehicle not just for self-defense, but for physical, spiritual, and moral development as well. His teachings clearly emphasize his ideal of judo as a way of self-cultivation that leads to physical health, ethical behavior, and ultimately a better society. Kano was a tireless activist who promoted the practical application of judo’s principles in all realms of life—in one’s personal behavior, for education, in work, for economic benefit, and in both the local and international political arenas.
Kano’s students were a colorful, sometimes notorious bunch, and this book reveals how several went on to become famous—or infamous—in their own right. They include a prime minister of Japan, the leader of the Communist party in China, a famous novelist, a spy, high-level military leaders, and a media mogul, among many others.
240 pages, Paperback
First published June 11, 2013
21 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
John Stevens
87 books30 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
John Stevens (1947- ) is a Buddhist priest and Aikido teacher.
John Stevens (1947- ) is a Buddhist priest and Aikido teacher.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 17, 2020
I can't remember when I picked this up but I found it on my bookshelf while looking for a different book. In my teens and 20s, judo was my sport so this was nice and nostalgic for me. I'd heard a bunch of the anecdotes before but didn't mind.
It's pretty shallow, almost a list of facts and tidbits. It mentions how Kano (in addition to founding Judo) modernized the education system in Japan but we don't learn anything about that, beyond it being mentioned from time-to-time. Same with his contributions to sport in general and the Olympic movement in Japan.
We get exactly one paragraph discussing his children and relationship with them.
I would have liked more analysis too. It's said a few times that Kano saw Judo as a way of training people to be ideal citizens and humans in the Confucian sense and that he emphasized that Judo was not to learn how to fight and beat people up. It was to improve your character. Yet in the chapter discussing Kano's prominent, direct students we keep hearing about how nearly all of them were continuously getting into street brawls and Kano had to bail them out of jail on many occasions. What did he think of that? Did he feel like his teaching was a failure? Likewise, Kano didn't want Judo to become a competitive sport but competitions existed almost from the beginning and later in life he apparently lamented that, but once again it's mentioned once and then never talked about.
Fun, quick read but I would have liked more meat.
It's pretty shallow, almost a list of facts and tidbits. It mentions how Kano (in addition to founding Judo) modernized the education system in Japan but we don't learn anything about that, beyond it being mentioned from time-to-time. Same with his contributions to sport in general and the Olympic movement in Japan.
We get exactly one paragraph discussing his children and relationship with them.
I would have liked more analysis too. It's said a few times that Kano saw Judo as a way of training people to be ideal citizens and humans in the Confucian sense and that he emphasized that Judo was not to learn how to fight and beat people up. It was to improve your character. Yet in the chapter discussing Kano's prominent, direct students we keep hearing about how nearly all of them were continuously getting into street brawls and Kano had to bail them out of jail on many occasions. What did he think of that? Did he feel like his teaching was a failure? Likewise, Kano didn't want Judo to become a competitive sport but competitions existed almost from the beginning and later in life he apparently lamented that, but once again it's mentioned once and then never talked about.
Fun, quick read but I would have liked more meat.
September 4, 2023
A concise biography of one of the most influential martial artists of all time. This biography is full of interesting anecdotes and helps to flesh out the life and ideas of someone every judoka recognizes but may not really know. I think that it was a fairly engaging read and there were lots of interesting tidbits and facts that made it enjoyable. I also liked that it delved more into the philosophy and ideas of Kano. As such, I think that it is a pretty good introduction to Kano's life and the history of judo. However, I did have several issues with the book. First, there are virtually no citations throughout the course of the book which makes it difficult to know which sources the author is using and how reliable they are. Martial arts history is already filled with hearsay and outlandish tales and the lack of citations and a good bibliography does not help this aspect. The resources section is quite good in providing readers with further readingls depending on what aspects of the biography they were interested in, but it is not a good substitute for a bibliography. The second issue is that I thought the section on Kano's students was hit or miss and a bit overwhelming. There are so many students discussed and some only get a paragraph or two written about them, making it difficult to keep track of all the names and making many of the shorter biographies forgettable and somewhat pointless. I think that a better approach would have been to favour quality over quantity and select a few key students (e.g., Mifune, the Four Kings, Kosaki, Shimida, etc.) and give them a more fully developed biography as opposed to taking the shotgun approach that the author did. The final issue was that I think the book could have used a bit more editing as it was repetitive at points, some of the sentences were awkwardly phrased, and the structure of the book was a bit odd at places. Despite these issues, I found it to be a worthwhile read and would recommend it to people interested in Kano and the history of judo or martial arts more generally.
December 5, 2024
Awesome.
September 17, 2019
Helps place Kano, his students, and the Judo movement in historical and political context, and traces their relationship to other forms of martial arts. A quick read, but well-researched.
May 15, 2021
This was very enlightening and informative. I appreciate the comprehensive research about Jigaro Kano.
February 6, 2024
"The Way of Judo: A Portrait of Jigoro Kano and His Students" offers a comprehensive exploration of the life and teachings of Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo, alongside insights into his influential students. The book delves into the philosophy, training methods, and cultural impact of judo, shedding light on Kano's vision and the evolution of the martial art.
One notable aspect highlighted in the book is Kano's emphasis on judo as a means of personal development, rather than mere physical combat. Through meticulous training and adherence to principles such as seiryoku zenyo (maximum efficiency) and jita kyoei (mutual benefit), Kano sought to cultivate not only skilled fighters but also individuals of moral character and social consciousness. This resonates with the author's observation of Kano's dismissal of religion from judo practice, underlining his commitment to a holistic approach focused on self-improvement.
The text also delves into Kano's relationships with his students, revealing both his rigorous discipline and profound mentorship. The anecdotes shared, such as Kano's interactions with Tomita and Saigo, offer valuable insights into his teaching methods and the transformative impact he had on his disciples. Additionally, the book explores the diverse paths taken by Kano's students, ranging from competitive athletes to educators and social activists, showcasing the breadth of judo's influence beyond the confines of the dojo.
A central theme explored in the book is the tension between tradition and innovation within judo. While Kano advocated for the preservation of Kodokan judo's core principles, some of his students, notably Maeda, sought to push the boundaries of the martial art, incorporating techniques from other disciplines and embracing a more pragmatic approach to combat. This tension is mirrored in the author's reflections on the effectiveness of certain judo techniques in real-life situations, prompting critical questions about the balance between tradition and practicality in martial arts training.
Overall, "The Way of Judo" offers a compelling narrative that blends historical biography with philosophical inquiry. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, the author provides readers with a deeper understanding of Jigoro Kano's legacy and the enduring relevance of judo as both a physical discipline and a path to personal growth. This book is a must-read for martial arts enthusiasts, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of tradition, philosophy, and human development.
One notable aspect highlighted in the book is Kano's emphasis on judo as a means of personal development, rather than mere physical combat. Through meticulous training and adherence to principles such as seiryoku zenyo (maximum efficiency) and jita kyoei (mutual benefit), Kano sought to cultivate not only skilled fighters but also individuals of moral character and social consciousness. This resonates with the author's observation of Kano's dismissal of religion from judo practice, underlining his commitment to a holistic approach focused on self-improvement.
The text also delves into Kano's relationships with his students, revealing both his rigorous discipline and profound mentorship. The anecdotes shared, such as Kano's interactions with Tomita and Saigo, offer valuable insights into his teaching methods and the transformative impact he had on his disciples. Additionally, the book explores the diverse paths taken by Kano's students, ranging from competitive athletes to educators and social activists, showcasing the breadth of judo's influence beyond the confines of the dojo.
A central theme explored in the book is the tension between tradition and innovation within judo. While Kano advocated for the preservation of Kodokan judo's core principles, some of his students, notably Maeda, sought to push the boundaries of the martial art, incorporating techniques from other disciplines and embracing a more pragmatic approach to combat. This tension is mirrored in the author's reflections on the effectiveness of certain judo techniques in real-life situations, prompting critical questions about the balance between tradition and practicality in martial arts training.
Overall, "The Way of Judo" offers a compelling narrative that blends historical biography with philosophical inquiry. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, the author provides readers with a deeper understanding of Jigoro Kano's legacy and the enduring relevance of judo as both a physical discipline and a path to personal growth. This book is a must-read for martial arts enthusiasts, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of tradition, philosophy, and human development.
January 20, 2021
A well-written book on the life of Jigoro Kano, the founder of the Japanese martial art of judo. What will come as a surprise to many is that Kano is also known as the father of modern Japanese education, being as much of a scholar as a master martial artist.
Kano was in fact a traditional Confucian scholar, and the ideals of Confucianism guided his morality, ethics and even judo. Judo was devised to be an effective martial art for self-defence whilst also protecting the practitioners during practice. That judo remains one of the most effective martial arts for self-defence to this day, despite Kano pruning and excising the most deadly and dangerous techniques to maintain the safety of its practitioners, is testament to Kano's insight.
Kano was in fact a traditional Confucian scholar, and the ideals of Confucianism guided his morality, ethics and even judo. Judo was devised to be an effective martial art for self-defence whilst also protecting the practitioners during practice. That judo remains one of the most effective martial arts for self-defence to this day, despite Kano pruning and excising the most deadly and dangerous techniques to maintain the safety of its practitioners, is testament to Kano's insight.
May 24, 2022
Very good book for who see judo not just as a sport...
November 16, 2025
Content is interesting but its more of an encyclopaedia than a good and easy book to read. Very detailed and factual.
February 20, 2014
The way of Judo starts by detailing the personal, political, and professional life of Jigoro Kano, the creator of Judo. The book then goes on to detail, after a thorough examination of Kano's martial training, the development of the curriculum used in the martial art. Later, the book goes over the colorful students that went through Kano's education system in Japan including several of the top leaders for Sun Yat Sen and many of the top leaders of revolutionary leftists including Mao's favorite teacher and father in law. It also has stories of how many of these people acted as spies as well for the government of Japan. It includes a chapter on how Judo developed and its history in challenge matches with other martial styles and its several losses to ground specialists as Kano hated the ground techniques. I personally was interested in this book since I have trained in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu for many years now which came to Brazil from one of Kano's students. The styles are very different in that Gracie Jiu Jitsu puts great emphasis on ground fighting and back's off a little from the throws. This book details some reasons why it had changed so much from the beginning to its state today. It also covered some of the overlap with Aikido as well. Overall a really interesting book and it really paints a nice biographical sketch of Kano and his art.
July 11, 2014
More like a 3.5. I enjoyed the insight into Kano sensei and his life, but the pages dedicated to his students dragged on just a little too long. Started to feel like filler.
May 27, 2015
Well research and interesting details about the history of judo.
March 28, 2023
A good biopic of the founder of Judo
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews