Out of the East: The Early Introduction of Judo to the UK

Dr Mike Callan

Judo, developed in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano from a synthesis of forms of unarmed martial arts, soon spread internationally. It made its way to the UK, and was popularised in the music halls, receiving a boost due to an interest in ‘Things Japanese’ following the Russo-Japanese war.
This talk explores the introduction of judo to the UK around the early part of the twentieth century. Drawing on archival material from the Bowen Collection at the University of Bath, it focusses on the chronology of the characters and context that led to the adoption of the ‘gentle way’.

Dr Mike Callan is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, Sport and Geography and head of the International Judo Research Unit at the University of Hertfordshire, President of the International Association of Judo Researchers and Education Director of the Commonwealth Judo Association. A 7^th dan, he has worked at the London Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Tokyo Olympic Games.