Judo's origin comes from the ancient Japanese art of jujutsu, a system of hand-to-hand combat. The "bushi" of feudal Japan (samurai) are usually credited for developing judo/jujutsu.

Modern Judo, however, is a relatively recent synthesis and owes it existence to the genius of one man: Dr. Jigoro Kano. Master Kano became an instructor of the Gakushuin in 1882 and eleven years later, he was appointed the Headmaster of the Koto Shihan, a teachers' training school.

Until he was 18 years of age, Jigoro Kano was physically weak. He resolved to improve himself by studying at two jujitsu schools. He soon realized that each school had its strengths and weaknesses.

"Because there was unnecessary roughness and crudeness of jujitsu, and because it was difficult to practice without injury he began to reconstruct the art". Kano went on to say: "...so by taking together all the good points I had learned from the various schools and adding there to my own devices and inventions, I founded a new system of Judo for physical culture and mental training."

There is a traditional JuJitsu/Judo school right here in Reno Nevada. High Sierra Jujitsu teaches martial arts movement and body work; enabling even small individuals to grapple with larger ones. They have many class times available for training. Contact them for more information (775) 787 - 3800 or come by the school at 120 Woodlands Ave. in Reno.

Another school: Tiger Kung Fu teaches all forms of martial arts. The words Kung Fu means "Master of Martial Arts" and Judo is just one style of the many martial arts available at Tiger Kung Fu. The school teaches Choy Li Fut Kung Fu which comes directly from the Shaolin Temple in China. You can get more information about judo and Kung Fu by calling (775) 824 - 0400 * 5401 Longley Lane Reno