DEVELOPMENT OF JUDO CIRCLES IN JAPAN The world of Japan's Judo is enjoying its prosperity under cooperations of All Japan Judo Federation, the sole all-inclusive Judo headquarters, and Kodokan taking significant parts among Judo organizations. The former three-storied Kodokan building, constructed and located at Suidobashi, was proud of the grand hall floored with 514 Tatami mats ( about 1, 000 sq. surprised the people at that time.
Master Kano mystified his people,
yd. ) and which saying, "It is too
small as the centre of the world's Judo! I have to build a larger one some day." Today, twenty-four years after since the Judo originator murmured those astonishing words, the seven-storied New Kodokan edifice now materialized his dream on the earth. Construction of New Kodokan was planned in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Kodokan establishment, together with the project of International Judo Building, and it was materialized with the support of Judo enthusiasts in and out of Japan. Visitors foreign and Japanese admire the white beautiful building as a "Christmas cake." In its interior are facilitated a 500 Tatami- mat- floored grand gymnasium, three 108 Tatami-mat-floored halls, three 54 Tatami-mat- floored halls, shower baths, a mess hall, a social hall,
council-rooms,
and lodgings in the sixth and seventh floors. There also are offices of Judo organizations such as that of the incorporated foundation Kodokan,
International Judo Federation,
All
Japan Judo Federation, etc. Professor Risei Kano,
President of Kodokan,
International Judo Federation, Federation,
plays an important role as President of
All Japan Judo Federation and All Japan Student Judo
together with the officials of Kodokan as officials of such organizations in
promoting the development of Judo throughout Japan. All Japan Judo Federation consists of amateur Judo organizations all over the country forming 10 regional unions including Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Kinki,
Chugoku,
Shikoku and Kyushu.
All these unions
Tokyo, Shinetsu,
and their branches
Tokai, function
smoothly under the guidance of the headquarters located in the Kodokan with the motto, "To endeavor to create an integrated and harmonious Judo organization for its popularization and development." The
Federation is further associated with Japan
Amateur Athletic
Federation and also with other sporting associations and clubs. Many Judo championships and tournaments are held under the Contest Rules of the Kodokan Judo, and Judoka's grades are in conformity of the grades of the Kodokan Judo. In May this year, the All Japan Judo Championships and the National High- ranking DanHolders Tournament were held, and in the Third Asian Games on May 25, many Judokas participated in the Judo competition from Korea, China, Philippines as well as from Japan. In October, there took place the Japan Judo Championship Tournament for the Second World Judo Championships, the National Police Judo Contest, Judo competitions at National Athletic Meeting, and, in Nove~ber, All Japan Student Judo Championships and East- West Matches, National Youth Judo Contest, and National Industrialist Judo Championships. And now brilliantly going to be held the traditional Second World Judo Championships.
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