Google Doodle honours Japan's 'Father of Judo' Kano Jigoro on his 161st birth anniversary

Cynthia Yuan Cheng, a Los Angeles-based artist, drew the Doodle, which includes a brief history of Judo. Judo means "gentle method," and the sport is based on justice, civility, safety, and humility.

Google on October 28 released a slideshow Doodle to commemorate the 161st birthday of Professor Kan Jigor, Japan's 'Father of Judo.' Cynthia Yuan Cheng, a Los Angeles-based artist, drew the Doodle, which includes a brief history of Judo. Judo means "gentle method," and the sport is based on justice, civility, safety, and humility.
Kan regarded martial arts as a method to bring people together, even as he threw opponents to the ground. In 1909, he became the first Asian member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and in 1960, the IOC officially recognised Judo as an Olympic sport.

Kan, born in Mikage (now part of Kobe) in 1860, travelled to Tokyo with his father when he was 11 years old. Despite his reputation as a kid genius at school, he frequently experienced difficulty. He resolved to learn the martial art of Jujutsu to gain strength. During his tenure at Tokyo University, he finally found someone willing to train him—a Jujutsu instructor and former samurai Fukuda Hachinosuke. Judo originated after a Jujutsu sparring battle when Kan used a western wrestling manoeuvre to put his larger opponent to the mat.

By eliminating the most harmful Jujutsu techniques, he invented "Judo," a safe and cooperative sport based on Kan's philosophy of Seiryoku-Zenyo (most efficient use of energy) and Jita-Kyoei (maximum effective use of energy) (mutual prosperity of self and others). Kan established his dojo (martial arts gym) in Tokyo in 1882, the Kodokan Judo Institute, where he would develop Judo for many years. In 1893, he also allowed women into the sport. Kan was the first Asian member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1909, and Judo was recognised as an official Olympic sport by the IOC in 1960.