Mikonosuke Kawaishi
Encyclopedia
was a master of Japanese Judo and Jujutsu, reaching for the life of the 7th Dan, who led the development of Judo in France and much of Europe. The application of belt colors associated with different degrees of learning resulted in a very effective teaching approach for the development of martial arts that was later used in most of the world and other martial arts and sports. By the Fédération Française posthumous judo and jiu-jitsu gives him the 10th Dan.
in 1899 and having studied Judo
and Jujutsu
at the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai
(Greater Japan Association of Martial Virtue).
He left Japan in the mid-1920s to travel and see the world and began by touring the United States of America, teaching jujitsu particularly in New York and San Diego. By 1928 he had arrived in the United Kingdom and soon established a school in Liverpool and with his close friend Gunji Koizumi
(nearly 10 years his senior) was now well established in the UK having formed the London Budokwai
Club and a school at the famous Oxford University. In 1931, he moved to London where he founded the Anglo-Japanese Judo Club and also began teaching Judo at Oxford University with Kouzumi.
With the Asian martial arts still relatively new to England, he was forced to supplement his meagre earnings as a teacher by becoming a professional wrestler. For this purpose he assumed the stage name of "Matsuda", and soon he was taking on wrestlers and boxers in the ring and on stage in music halls.
In that latter part of 1931 he returned to Japan for a short time, and it was during this trip that he renewed his association with Professor Jigoro Kano, who awarded him with a third Dan in Kodokan
Judo.
In 1936, then a Kano fourth Dan, Kawaishi moved to Paris
where he was commissioned to teach Jujutsu
to the French Police. It was at this time, that he opened the first public school of Jujutsu in a small yet humble dojo in the Latin Quarters of Paris.
Unfortunately with the unpleasant events of World War II looming, Kawaishi made an attempt to return to Japan, but he was imprisoned in Manchuria
for a time. Following the end of the war and his subsequent release, he returned to Paris to continue with his teaching.
In 1947 Kawaishi joined forces with Kouzumi to promote the first ever-recorded Judo International tournament between two countries (UK and France). This became known as the Kawaishi Cup, with the prestigious medal bearing his name being awarded to the division winners only. With Moshé Feldenkrais
founded the French Federation of Judo in the 1947, becoming the technical director for many years.
Kawaishi died on the January 30, 1969, and his body was laid to rest in Plessis-Robinson, Paris.
Biography
Kawaishi born in KyotoKyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
in 1899 and having studied 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...
and Jujutsu
Jujutsu
Jujutsu , also known as jujitsu, ju-jitsu, or Japanese jiu-jitsu, is a Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon....
at the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai
Dai Nippon Butoku Kai
is a Japanese martial arts organization established in 1895 in Kyoto, Japan, under the authority of the Ministry of Education and sanction of the Emperor Meiji. Its purpose, at that time, was to standardize martial disciplines and systems throughout Japan. This was the first official martial arts...
(Greater Japan Association of Martial Virtue).
He left Japan in the mid-1920s to travel and see the world and began by touring the United States of America, teaching jujitsu particularly in New York and San Diego. By 1928 he had arrived in the United Kingdom and soon established a school in Liverpool and with his close friend 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...
(nearly 10 years his senior) was now well established in the UK having formed the London Budokwai
Budokwai
is the oldest Japanese martial arts club in Europe. It was founded in 1918 by Gunji Koizumi and initially offered tuition in jujutsu, kendo, and other Japanese arts. It was the first Judo club in Europe with membership open to the general public.-History:...
Club and a school at the famous Oxford University. In 1931, he moved to London where he founded the Anglo-Japanese Judo Club and also began teaching Judo at Oxford University with Kouzumi.
With the Asian martial arts still relatively new to England, he was forced to supplement his meagre earnings as a teacher by becoming a professional wrestler. For this purpose he assumed the stage name of "Matsuda", and soon he was taking on wrestlers and boxers in the ring and on stage in music halls.
In that latter part of 1931 he returned to Japan for a short time, and it was during this trip that he renewed his association with Professor Jigoro Kano, who awarded him with a third Dan in 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...
Judo.
In 1936, then a Kano fourth Dan, Kawaishi moved to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
where he was commissioned to teach Jujutsu
Jujutsu
Jujutsu , also known as jujitsu, ju-jitsu, or Japanese jiu-jitsu, is a Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon....
to the French Police. It was at this time, that he opened the first public school of Jujutsu in a small yet humble dojo in the Latin Quarters of Paris.
Unfortunately with the unpleasant events of World War II looming, Kawaishi made an attempt to return to Japan, but he was imprisoned in Manchuria
Manchuria
Manchuria is a historical name given to a large geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria usually falls entirely within the People's Republic of China, or is sometimes divided between China and Russia. The region is commonly referred to as Northeast...
for a time. Following the end of the war and his subsequent release, he returned to Paris to continue with his teaching.
In 1947 Kawaishi joined forces with Kouzumi to promote the first ever-recorded Judo International tournament between two countries (UK and France). This became known as the Kawaishi Cup, with the prestigious medal bearing his name being awarded to the division winners only. With Moshé Feldenkrais
Moshé Feldenkrais
Moshé Pinchas Feldenkrais was an Israeli physicist and the founder of the Feldenkrais Method, designed to improve human functioning by increasing self-awareness through movement.-Biography:...
founded the French Federation of Judo in the 1947, becoming the technical director for many years.
Kawaishi died on the January 30, 1969, and his body was laid to rest in Plessis-Robinson, Paris.