Beginning of Kodokan

In 1882, at the age of 22, Jigoro Kano opened his own school in Tokio named KODOKAN. “Kodo” means “proclaiming the truth” and “ Kan ” means “gathering”. Teaching came naturally to Jigoro and in the name of his school he mentioned his goal.

He taught Jujitsu according to his own beliefs, which was based on the wisdom of his teachers but yet again very different. Full of energy and with a strong will he pursued his eagerness to learn new things.

Sometimes traveling for days visiting other teachers he learned the secrets from other Jujitsu schools and improve his own techniques. In the end Jigoro Kano reached a height unheard of in Judo in those days. The Kodokan was originally located in four rooms of the Eishoji temple. The largest of the rooms, 4 by 6 meters was used as Dojo.

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