Publisher's Synopsis
Commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the United States Judo Federation, this volume traces the more than 100-year history of judo practice in America. The authors begin with a comprehensive survey of Japan's classical disciplines, which sets the foundation for understanding what judo is and what it means to the people who practice it. They show how, from its arrival on U.S. shores in the late nineteenth century, judo has built upon the strengths of the two societies it bridges. For martial arts practitioners and others interested in Asian and American cultural history, this thoroughly researched and richly illustrated book is an indispensable resource for understanding judo's ongoing role in the contemporary life of the United States.
