The Way of Judo: A Portrait of Jigoro Kano and His Students

According to his profile at Amazon.com, “John Stevens lived in Japan for thirty-five years, where he was a professor of Buddhist studies at Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai. Stevens is a widely respected translator, an ordained Buddhist priest, a curator of several major exhibitions of Zen art, and an aikido instructor. He has authored more than thirty books and is one of the foremost Western experts on aikido, holding a ranking of 7th dan Aikikai.” The Way of Judo is one of his newer books. He previously wrote about professor Kano in his 1995 book Three Budo Masters, also reviewed at this site.In an interview with the publisher, Mr. Stevens explained his reason for writing the book: “Since I have written books on three of the other most important martial artist masters of the 20th century -- Tesshu Yamaoka (kendo), Awa Kenzo (kyudo), and Morihei Ueshiba (aikido) -- I felt it imperative to write a book on Jigoro Kano, the founder of Kodokan judo, to round out the picture.”The book contains a preface, followed by five chapters: 1. The Public Career of Jigoro Kano; 2. Kano, the Man Himself; 3. The Challenge of Creating Kodokan Judo; 4. Kano and His Students; and 5. The Teachings of Jigoro Kano. The book ends with a lengthy Resources section listing books upon which Mr. Stevens relied, and other material that may be of interest to readers.I thought it funny that in the Resources section Mr. Stevens writes the following about his book Three Budo Masters: “the chapters on Funakoshi and Ueshiba are all right, but the one on Kano is not good and has been completely superseded by this biography.” I thought the Ueshiba material was partly fantasy, but the other sections were solid.I liked The Way of Judo for several reasons. First, the Resources section at the end of the book is fabulous. It is a roadmap for additional Kano research and has helped my work. Second, the book devotes considerable attention to professor Kano’s students. All martial arts die without students, so this material showed how judo survived its founder. Mr. Stevens explained in his Shambhala interview that “one of his students established the Black Dragon Society, two of his students were elected prime minister, two of them became the richest entrepreneurs in the country, and one of them taught judo to a United States president… [M]any of the Chinese students who were taught at Kano's academy were very influential on Chinese history, yet this is a detail that is virtually unknown. For example, Mao's father-in-law had been a student of Kano's in Japan, and he taught Mao some of Kano's educational theories. Mao wrote a paper on Kano's ideas.”Third, Mr. Stevens includes details that most readers would want to know, but that might not appear elsewhere. For example, on pages 1 and 2 Stevens writes: “the name Kano means ‘production of delightful sake.’ Kano’s father’s original name was Mareshiba Shogenji (1813–85). The Shogenji family served as the hereditary keepers of the Hie Shrine in Omi. Mareshiba chose to become a Confucian scholar rather than a Shinto priest. He was hired as a home tutor in the Chinese classics for the Kano children. Mareshiba ended up marrying Sadako, one of the daughters, and then being adopted into the Kano family, thereafter assuming the name Jirosaku. Five children were born to Jirosaku and Sadako, three boys and two girls. Kano was the last child. His birth name was Shinnosuke. Later, he was called Jigoro (‘fifth child of Jiro’).” As a researcher I appreciate this attention to detail and explanation for non-Japanese-speaking readers. Did you know that professor Kano’s birth name could have easily been Mareshiba Shinnosuke?I have very few concerns with this book. I only found a few minor issues. For example, Mr. Stevens writes on page 18 that “Even though Kodokan judo was established in 1882, for many years afterward his system was called “Kano ryu jujutsu” or simply “jujutsu” in many quarters. Actually, in the first year of the Kodokan’s existence, Iikubo was still giving lessons to Kano and his students, so the emphasis was on Kito ryu jujutsu, not Kodokan judo, because there was no such thing yet. Kano wrote that it was not until 1877 that the technical base for Kodokan judo was formulated.” Professor Kano started training in jujutsu in 1877, so this is a typo.I greatly enjoyed reading The Way of Judo. It’s simply the best English-language biography of professor Jigoro Kano available. It spends the right amount of time leading the reader through professor Kano’s life. However, it also explains how he founded and grew judo. It then explains key students and associates. Most unusually, compared to other books, it spends time talking about the sort of person Kano was. The book is one of the few I’ve found that names his children and shares a few words about each. On page 70, Stevens shares with us some of Kano’s habits: “He was not interested in dealing with trifling details. He ate the same thing every day for lunch so he wouldn’t be bothered by having to decide what to order. He always carried an umbrella so he wouldn’t be troubled about whether or not to take one with him.” I highly recommend reading The Way of Judo, especially if you are a judoka or related martial arts practitioner. I read the Kindle edition and just bought a paperback copy to display in my library.

Excellent book! Cano was an inspirational man.

Well researched and a must for any judokas library. In fact I would suggest that any martial artist read it. Not an instructional book at all but does clearly show the jujitsu-judo relationship. Myths that we judokas love are challenged. For example, the underlying fact that cannot be dismissed or swept under the "tatami" if that judo at its technical heart is a method of studying forms of jujitsu--however Kano created the systematic method of study and grouped it under Kodokan Judo. The beauty of Kano's eclectic system was its ability to absorb contents from different martial systems.and the thoughts that detractors offer up as to judo's combat effectiveness are similarly disposed of especially the sporting aspect which is very detailed. Plus, understanding the beginning of the "black-belt" mentality (Kano created the ranking system) is certainly one of them. It took me about thirty years of study and advancement into higher levels to appreciate this genius of thought.. Realizing that Kano was an educator, a thought and probably an atheist, or most certainly agnostic versus a mystic or a warrior (although a descendant of such stock) is critical. It is honest and well worth the read that incorporates the politics and thoughts of Japan in the 1870s.

The story of Jigoro Kano is very fascinating to read and his life was indeed inspiring to many influential people in the early 20th century in Asia. I loved the part where his philosophy on efficiency in martial arts as well as everyday life was discussed in detail and how he worked tirelessly as an educator to instill this upon his students. A great man and a great story. Definitely worth the read and a fascinating take part of history to enjoy!

I have written four books concerning taekwondo and have delved deeply into the art's technical aspects, history and culture. Yet, I realize to truly comprehend the martial arts, one needs to read further afield. I decided to read The Way of Judo for one. It is a completely enjoyable book, so revealing of Jigoro Kano, his history and philosophies. I strongly urge anyone interested in the martial arts to engage with this book. Stevens did a wonderful job!

This book is excellent fantastic had to buy one for my dad as well. I have been in judo since I was five years old ( now age 45) and this is an excellent insight into the spirit of JUDO!! LOVE IT!

Great book, Fast shipping....Thanks

Should be mandatory reading for those about to take their first degree black belt test in Kodokan Judo.

Muito bom.

Even though there are aspects of the way the book is written and laid out which I would like to see improved, the number of stories, and the details about Kano's life, make 'The Way of Judo: A Portrait of Jigoro Kano and His Students' a 'must have' for me.Kano's 'Mind Over Muscle' is an even better 'must have', in my opinion.

Professor Stevens did a lot of academic research while in Japan to write this book, using the Kodokan libraries and archives as well. Here you will find the historical truth about Kano, his life and his martial arts career, the good sides and the negative sides as well without the usual lies, legends and praise. After reading two dozens of books about Kano and Judo there is no doubt, that this is by far the best one - it should by obligatory to read for all Judo-black belts.

La storia del professor Kano è raccontata in modo egregio, sono presenti molti spunti per approfondire in sede separata e anche la parte finale dedicata ai suoi studenti, l'ho trovata molto piacevole. Assolutamente da avere per ogni Judoka

Judo is one of the most wonderful sports you could ever hope to enjoy. Kano Jigoro's life is worth studying because of his ability to keep the baby and throw out the bath water. There is also a danger that he is not placed in his cultural and historical context and that what he taught is not approached in the same spirit he approached jiu jitsu. The founder of judo was rational and applied critical thinking to what he was taught. He respected tradition with out holding it in too much reverence. Biographical information helps protect us from the curse of reverence, which is ironically undermines the very critical thinking that made him s great.