Judo. History and philosophy[edit] Early life of the founder[edit] The early history of judo is inseparable from its founder, Japanese polymath and educator Jigoro Kano (嘉納 治五郎, Kanō Jigorō?
, 1860–1938), born Shinnosuke Kano (嘉納 新之助, Kanō Shinnosuke?). Kano was born into a relatively affluent family. His father, Jirosaku, was the second son of the head priest of the Shinto Hiyoshi shrine in Shiga Prefecture.