About 200 Judoka achieved perfect attendance at Kodokan's annual Kangeiko, or Mid-winter Training, which took place from January 6 to 15 this year. It was held from 5:30 to 7:30 every day, and a total of 330 people showed up at the main Dojo and trained while it's still dark and cold.

Kagami-Biraki Ceremony is one of traditional festivity at Kodokan, where a special rice cake (Kagami-mochi) is cut open and served to celebrate the new year. The event took place on January 8 this year, inviting many people. Participants listened to a representative Judoka and the president of Kodokan, both of whom made a speech, and watched Kata demonstrations as well as Randori. Newly promoted Dan holders were awarded their diploma, and people enjoyed Shiruko (sweet red azuki bean soup with mochi).

Kodokan organized Gashi Kokankai, an annual event to celebrate the beginning of year, on January 4th, 2012.

The Kodokan Judo Library and Museum presented the Inverness coat, which was worn by Kano Jigoro Shihan, at the "Bunkyo Muse Festa 2011," an exhibition organised by Bunkyo-ku on Wednesday, December 14. About 630 people came to see the exhibition.

The King and Queen of Bhutan visited Kodokan on November 17th, 2011. Children practiced their daily routine, and five gold medalists from the Olympics and the World Championships showcased their techniques before their eyes. President Haruki Uemura also awarded Shodan, tailored Judogi and a black belt to the King, and a table clock with Kodokan's logo to the Queen.

Kodokan Summer Courses, a traditional annual event of Kodokan, took place from July 19 to August 3. Many judoka from not only Japan but also around the world participated in the event. This year, a new course for Japanese instructors of the school curriculum Judo was set up in the summer courses.

2011 Kodokan Summer Course 1 "KATA"
Dates: July 19 to July 25 for 7 days
Participants: 243 judoka


2011 Kodokan Summer Course 2 "TECHNIQUE"
Dates: July 26 to July 30 for 5 days
Participants: 238 judoka

2011 Kodokan Summer Course for Women
Dates: July 26 to July 29 for 4 days
Participants: 32 judoka


2011 Kodokan Summer Course for Boys and Girls
Dates: August 1 to August 3 for 3 days
Participants: 227 kids judoka


2011 Kodokan Summer Course for Instructors of the School Curriculum Judo
Dates: August 1 to August 3 for 3 days
Participants: 71 judoka

Shochu-Geiko (Mid-Summer Training), an important event of Kodokan, took place from July 13 through July 22.

Kodokan has held a half-yearly seminar for younger foreign instructors who will take the lead in Judo instructions in his/her country in the future, with the aim of spreading the proper Kodokan Judo overseas. To date, about 190 coaches from 55 countries and regions have participated in the seminar.

At the same time the pre-training seminar for JICA (the Japan International Cooperation Agency) volunteer cadets for Judo instructors who will be dispatched to developing countries is also held at Kodokan. In this seminar, JICA volunteer cadets can improve their knowledge and skills required for Judo instructors so as to respond to requests from other countries. Both
seminars have produced a synergistic effect until now.

The following pictures are from the seminars in the spring and fall of 2011.


June 6 to June 29, 2011

February 16 to March 11, 2011

The International Youth Development Exchange Program was launched in 1994 by the Cabinet Office, the Government of Japan. The purpose of this program is to nurture and develop youth who can play a leading role in various fields in a globalized society so that they will contribute the healthy development of youth, through exchanges among overseas and Japanese youth. This program not only invites overseas youth to Japan but also send Japanese youth across the world.

As part of activities in Japan, the invited youth visit Kodokan to listen to the lecture about Judo and have a Judo experience. This is the 6th time they have visited Kodokan.

Date:	Wednesday July 6, 2011
Location:	Kodokan
The number of participants:	18 overseas youth (6 men, 12 women) and 6 Japanese staff
Country:	Dominican Republic, Republic of Estonia, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Bozen-sai: visiting the grave of Kano Shihan to commemorate the anniversary of Kano Shihan's death (May 4), a traditional event of Kodokan, was held Monday on May 2.

>>> Access to the grave of Kano Shihan