Spreading outside of Japan

In 1889 Jigoro Kano left Japan to tour Europe . He wanted to learn about Western educational methods and at the same time promote his Judo, which had already been introduced in Japan as an obligatory class. Around 1890, at the request of several high British naval authorities, a demonstration in Judo was given for some 60 naval attaches. The spectators were enthusiastic and became the first goodwill ambassadors in Europe .

All over Japan subdivisions of the Kodokan emerged. The Japanese military command opened Schools for the soldiers. The spread of Jigoro Kano's ideas steadily continued. One of his best pupils was sent to America in 1903 where he opened a School, which in no time rose to immense popularity. President Theodore Roosevelt was among those to visit the School. At the Kodokan they still keep the letters of gratitude to Jigoro Kano from the president.

Up to1909 Jigoro Kano had used all his own income from teaching, giving lectures as well as doing translation and correctional work on his pupils. Due to the high number of pupils he could no longer afford to continue to do this. He therefore charged submission fees for new pupils as well as exam fees. In 1909 Jigoro Kano also took a seat on the Olympic Committee, which he kept until his death.

Western European branches of Kodokan were established after 1938. Professor Koizumi was send to England by Jigoro Kano, where he opened a Judo School in London known by the name Budokai. Professor Hanno Rhi left for Germany and from there to Switzerland . Professor Kawaishi was assigned France to work in. Judo as taught in The Netherlands is according to the system of this Professor Kawaishi.