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The following is a transcript of an essay (or speech? its origin is not stated) by Kanō Jigorō regarding the “true spirit of jūdō”. It is one of the last Kanō made in English, this time to the Japan Times & Mail, a long published English language newspaper printed for the foreign community in Japan. It is not clear if Kanō shihan wrote this or dictated it for transcription.
The added endnotes are to explain some aspects that may not be clear to casual observers.
The Japanese terms were originally without italics or capitalization, so edited for clarity.
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******* COPYRIGHT 2024 Lance Gatling and The Kanō Chronicles© *********
The Japan Times & Mail – Aug 17, 1936
True Spirit of Judo
By Jirogo Kano
The Superintendent of the Kodokwan[i] When I was still young, I learned various types of “jujitsu“.[ii] However, I found it difficult to discover the fundamental principles that decide as to which is the correct method because the teaching of each type was different. Thereupon, in order that I might find out the fundamental principle somehow or other, I began to study seriously. And, in the course of time, I was able to succeed in discovering it. What is this fundamental principle? It is to let our spirit and bodies work most effectively in order to accomplish our purpose, whenever we wish to throw others down, or cut, push, or kick others. Having found out this principle, I put my whole effort to studying various tricks[iii] of time-honored jujitsu of different types according to it……
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