This lecture introduces Judo, a discipline that evolved from Jujutsu—an ancient Japanese martial art involving unarmed combat techniques like throws, strikes, and joint locks, as well as defense against weapons. While Jujutsu dates back to mythological times, formal instruction began around 350 years ago. I studied it under three masters and, in 1882, founded the Kodokan to teach a refined version called Judo. "Ju" means gentleness, and "Do" means way—together, Judo signifies the way of gentleness. Beyond combat, Judo promotes physical, intellectual, and moral development, offering a comprehensive philosophy for improving all aspects of life.
