As World Judo Day approaches, marking the celebration of judo’s founder, Dr. Jigoro Kano, it offers a chance to explore the remarkable work surrounding judo’s role not just as an Olympic sport but as a powerful educational tool. Judo has been widely recognised for its contributions to personal development, discipline, and social responsibility. The focus on values such as seiryoku zenyo (maximum efficiency) and jita kyoei (mutual welfare and benefit) highlights how judo can positively influence both the physical and moral development of individuals, making it an effective framework for education.
Introduction
Judo, developed by Jigoro Kano, is not merely a martial art but an educational proposal that was both revolutionary and visionary when it emerged. Its philosophy, centered on individual improvement and social responsibility, continues to have a global impact today. The Italian Sports-Education Association (AISE) was founded by Cesare Barioli to extend Kano’s principles of judo to education in sports, promoting individual growth and social service.
Judo is the most effective Way (Do) to use physical and mental strength. Training in the discipline of judo means achieving perfect knowledge of the spirit through attack defence training and assiduous effort to obtain physical-spiritual improvement. The perfection of the individual thus obtained must be directed towards social service, which constitutes the ultimate objective of Judo. (J. Kano: ‘Judo’, 1915 – 1916).
Kano’s idea was that judo could serve as a model for life, not just combat. As stated by philosophers like John Dewey and Edgar Morin, the purpose of education is to fully express one’s personality in relation to society. Kano emphasised this when he described judo’s ultimate aim as societal service (jita-kyoei) and the pursuit of personal and communal betterment through continuous learning and adaptation.
AISE’s Founding and Mission
Founded by Barioli in 2002, AISE aims to extend Kano’s vision, inspired by the broader interpretations of judo. Barioli’s work was particularly influenced by the French judo intellectual movement.
AISE is deeply involved in research and the development of inclusive judo programs, collaborating with universities and international experts. Its initiatives promote judo as an educational tool, hosting conferences and seminars to explore its potential for personal and societal growth. Adapted judo for people with disabilities is a key focus, ensuring judo’s values are shared with everyone.
Judo’s legacy, as envisioned by Dr Jigoro Kano, remains vibrant and relevant today, thanks to organisations like AISE that continue to champion its educational potential. By emphasising the holistic development of individuals and their integration into society, AISE and its founders have helped transform judo from a martial art into a paradigm for education.
FULL RESEARCH: AISE and the Proposal of Judo as a Paradigm for Education [page 47-50]
Author: Szandra Szogedi