Kodokan
Categories: Martial arts stubs
The Kodokan Institute (講道館) is the headquarters of the Judo World. It was established by Jigoro Kano the founder of judo in 1882 and is now located in an 8 story building in Tokyo, Japan. It was a derivative of Jujutsu which is an art of either attacking or defending using one's own body.
The Kodokan Institute offers classes for those who want to master Judo. The program is authorized as a non-regular school by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Its courses include the theories and practice of Judo, and matters of general education. The course is divided into two; a general course for novices, and special courses for those who have completed the general course or its equivalent.
The Kodokan also issues ranks and many judo black belts around the world become Kodokan members and have their ranks registered with the Kodokan.
The Institute was founded with only nine disciples. The growth of Judo in its early years is demonstrated by the growth of the Kodokan itself:
* 12 mats (May 1882 Eishoji Temple) * 10 mats (Feb. 1883 Jimocho, Kanda) * 20 mats (Sept. 1883 Shihan's house, Kojimachi) * 40 mats (Spring 1887 Mr. Shinagawa's house, Kojimachi) * 60 mats (April 1890 Hongo-ku, Masaga-cho) * 107 mats (Feb. 1894 Koishikawa-cho, Shimotomisaka-cho) * 207 mats (Nov. 1897 Koishikawa, Shimotomisaka-cho) * 314 mats (Jan. 1898 Otsuka Sakashita-cho) * 514 mats (Dec. 1919 1-chome Kasuga-cho, Bunkyo-ku) * 986 mats (March 1958 2-chome, Kasuga-cho, Bunko-ku)