Judo was born in 1882 when Jigoro Kano, a visionary Japanese educator, transformed traditional jujutsu into a modern martial art rooted in both physical skill and moral discipline. At the Kodokan in Tokyo, Kano emphasized efficiency of movement (“maximum efficiency, minimum effort”) and mutual welfare, creating a system where technique and character grew together. What began as a small dojo quickly evolved into a global sport and philosophy—one that teaches not just how to throw an opponent, but how to rise stronger in life.