Jûdô stems from jujutsu, which is grappling techniques that were developed during the Japanese middle ages. Sometimes it was referred to as yawara. Ju or yawara means "gentleness" and jutsu means "technique." This name was adopted because jujutsu is physical techniques by which one may control an opponent without going against the strength of an opponent but by utilizing an opponent's strength. This theory of gentleness and principle of ju was essentially the same and could be used whether the warrior or stiff heavy armor or not.

After the 16th century various jujutsu schools were created, such as the Takeuchi School, Sekiguchi School, Yoshin School, Ryoishinto School, etc. Schools generally declined gradually after the 1868 revolution in Japan. It was at this time that the Tokugawa Shogun was defeated and a constitutional monarchy was born. Later a small young man by the name of Jigoro Kano entered the department of literature at the Tokyo University. Although he was mentally brilliant his concern was to conquer his physical weakness in order to become a useful in the future. Thus, he became interested in the art of jujutsu in spite of its declining importance. Professor Kano studied Tenshin Shinyo Ryu jujutsu from Hacinosuke Fukuda and then Masatomo Iso, and Kito Ryu jujutsu from Tsunetoshi Iikubo.

In 1882, Dr. Kano opened a dojo, which he named the Kodokan and started to train students. The dojo was a small room of less than 400 square feet within the Eisohoji Zen Temple in Tokyo. In time promising students, that respected and trusted Professor Kano, came to study at the Kodokan. Among these students were Sakujiro Yokoyama, Gisho Yamashita, Shire Saigo Tsunejiro Tomita, and others whose names are well known by the present day public of Japan. The jujutsu instructors were living hand-to-mouth at that time and did not listen to Professor Kano's principles, but instead they attempted to oppose to him. Many times Professor Kano and his students were challenged with unreasonably methods of combat by the old fashioned jujutsu.

Professor Kano became the principal of the Tokyo University of Education and later became a senator. Meanwhile, the Kodokan moved to different locations, in order to accommodate the increasing number of students as Jûdô became more popular. Today, the Kodokan is located in Kasuga-cho, Bunyoku, and Tokyo, Japan. The main dojo consists of 500 mats and there are many smaller dojos where students from all over the world receive training. The mottoes of the Kodokan are Seiryoku Zen'yo (maximum efficiency) and Jita Kyoei (mutual prosperity). Jûdô is a development of mind (good character), body (healthy and in harmony with the mind), and spirit (maintaining a good, healthy attitude about learning and applying the principles to every aspect of life).

Okuri Judo Club