is the oldest Japanese martial arts

Japanese martial arts

Japanese martial arts refers to the enormous variety of martial arts native to Japan. At least three Japanese terms are often used interchangeably with the English phrase "Japanese martial arts": , literally meaning "martial way", , which has no perfect translation but means something like science,...

 club in Europe. It was founded in 1918 by Gunji Koizumi

Gunji Koizumi

, known affectionately by colleagues as G.K., was a Japanese master of judo who introduced this martial art to the United Kingdom, and came to be known as the 'Father of British Judo.' He was the founder of the Budokwai, a pioneering Japanese martial arts society in England. Koizumi helped...

 and initially offered tuition in jujutsu, kendo, and other Japanese arts. It was the first Judo

Judo

is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...

 club in Europe

Europe

Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...

 with membership open to the general public.

History

On January 26, 1918, Gunji Koizumi

Gunji Koizumi

, known affectionately by colleagues as G.K., was a Japanese master of judo who introduced this martial art to the United Kingdom, and came to be known as the 'Father of British Judo.' He was the founder of the Budokwai, a pioneering Japanese martial arts society in England. Koizumi helped...

 opened the Dojo

Dojo

A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...

 at 15 Lower Grosvenor Place, Victoria, London

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

 SW1. The first chief instructor was Yukio Tani

Yukio Tani

was a Japanese jujutsu instructor and professional challenge wrestler.The precise details of Tani's early jujutsu training in Japan are unclear, but he is known to have studied at two Fusen-ryu dojo as well as at the "Handa School of Jiujitsu" in Osaka...

.

In July 1920, Dr. Jigoro Kano (the founder of Judo) visited the Budokwai. A member named Tanabe received his first Dan

Dan (rank)

The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...

, becoming the Budokwai's first home-grown black belt

Black belt (martial arts)

In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...

. Tani and Koizumi were promoted to nidan.

In August 1933, the Budokwai became a Provisional Branch of the Kodokan

Kodokan

, or the Kodokan Institute, is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community. Literally, kō means "to lecture" or "to spread information," dō means "the way," and kan is "a public building or hall," together translating roughly as "a place for the study or promotion of the way." The Kodokan was...

.

After thirty-five years, the Budokwai moved to 4 Gilston Road, South Kensington, London, SW10 9SL. The new premises were officially opened in September 1954 by the Japanese Ambassador H.E. Matsumoto throwing Kawamura.
The club is the longest continuously running Judo Club in Europe and members of the current UK Olympic Judo team train there including Winston Gordon

Winston Gordon

Winston Alanzo Gordon is a British judoka, and Sensei at the in Tooting, London.He is also British Open Champion 2009.Winston is hoping to compete in his third Olympic games in London 2012.-Achievements:...

.

Notable Instructors

Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki

Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki

is a Japanese judoka. He won the silver medal of world championships in 1975 and gold medal in 1981.Kashiwazaki is from Kuji, Iwate. He began judo at the age of a 5th grader. After graduation from Tokai University, he belonged to Ibaraki Prefectural Taga high school and Tokai University.Kashiwazaki...

Yasuhiro Yamashita

Yasuhiro Yamashita

is one of the most successful judo competitors of all time. He currently works as an instructor or advisor for numerous organizations, including Tokai University, the International Judo Federation, and the...

Raymond Stevens

Notable members

Trevor Leggett

Trevor Leggett

Trevor Pryce Leggett was a British judo teacher, author, translator, and head of the BBC's Japanese Service for 24 years. He was one of the very first Europeans to study martial arts in Japan. Leggett served in the Ministry of Information during World War II...

Neil Adams

Brian Jacks

Brian Jacks

Brian Jacks is a British judoka who won Britain's first medal at a world championship, taking a bronze in Salt Lake City in 1967, and gained a second bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics.-Superstars:...

Angelo Parisi

Angelo Parisi

Angelo Parisi is a French judoka and olympic champion. He won a gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. At his Olympic debut in 1972 he represented Great Britain.- References :*...