The Kodokan Judo Institute (公益財団法人講道館), or Kōdōkan (講道館), is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community. The kōdōkan was founded in 1882 by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo, and is now an eight-story building in Tokyo.
The Kodokan Institute's main entrance
Statue of Kanō Jigorō at the institute
Judo is an unarmed modern Japanese martial art, combat sport, Olympic sport, and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally. Judo was created in 1882 by Kanō Jigorō as an eclectic martial art, distinguishing itself from its predecessors due to an emphasis on "randori" instead of "kata" alongside its removal of striking and weapon training elements. Judo rose to prominence for its dominance over established jujutsu schools in tournaments hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, resulting in its adoption as the department's primary martial art. A judo practitioner is called a "judoka" , and the judo uniform is called "judogi" .
Kyuzo Mifune (left) and Kanō Jigorō (right)
Takamasa Anai takes down his opponent during the Grand Slam Tokyo.
Jigoro Kano, founder of judo
Eisho-ji temple, Tokyo