The origins of judo trace back to the combative martial arts practiced by samurai warriors, but the sport itself emerged in late 19th-century Japan through the work of Kano Jigoro, a slight intellectual who remains widely revered in the country, br.de reported. A new audio documentary explores how Kano developed the sport.
Origins in Samurai Combat and Late 19th-Century Reform
Before Kano founded the discipline, individual samurai clans practiced diverse unarmed combat systems.
Kano established his foundational school, the Kodokan, in Tokyo, marking the official birth of modern judo.
Voices Shaping the Historical Narrative
The audio feature, authored by Jenny von Sperber for Bavarian Radio, incorporates insights from several leading sports historians and researchers specializing in martial arts history. Wolfgang Dax-Romswinkel, who studied sports history, a judo-kata world champion, and coach, contributes technical perspective on how traditional forms, or katas, preserve the core principles established by the founder. His work includes detailed analyses published by the North Rhine-Westphalian Judo Association.
Maja Sori-Dovál, a sports scientist at Tsuda University in Tokyo, examines the cultural evolution of the practice both within Japan and internationally. Alongside her, Hans Joachim Teichler, a former professor of sports history and sports science at the University of Potsdam, provides broader historical context regarding the institutionalization of sport and international sports politics.
Academic Documentation and Further Resources
The broadcast draws upon extensive academic literature, including Andreas Niehaus’s detailed dissertation on the life and work of Kano Jigoro, published by Ergon Verlag, as well as Teichler’s research on international sports policy. Listeners and researchers seeking further information can access the complete radio manuscript through the Bayerischer Rundfunk archives or listen to the full episode on ARD Sounds.
