Our Origins

Judo is more than sport — it's a 140-year-old practice of balance, respect and self-improvement. Here is the line that runs from Tokyo to Moose Jaw.

1882
The Kodokan opens
Jigoro Kano refines the throws and grappling of jujutsu into judo — 'the gentle way' — and opens the Kodokan dojo in Tokyo with nine students.
1886
Judo proves itself
Kano's students win a landmark contest against established jujutsu schools, and judo becomes part of Japanese police and school training.
1964
Judo goes Olympic
Judo debuts at the Tokyo Olympics, the first martial art to become an Olympic sport. Women's judo follows in 1992.
1956
Judo takes root in Canada
Clubs spread across the prairies through community halls and school gyms, carrying Kano's principles of maximum efficiency and mutual welfare.
2026
kutō ie judo club is founded
Our club opens its doors at 1162 Chestnut Ave, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 1B1 with mats, borrowed gis and a simple promise: affordable judo for every age, five nights a week.

Two principles we train by

Seiryoku-Zenyo — maximum efficiency, minimum effort. Technique and timing beat brute strength.

Jita-Kyoei — mutual welfare and benefit. We improve by helping our partners improve.