Those Who Went Before Us
Jigoro Kano
Tokyo, Japan More information to come.
Kazuzo Kudo
Tokyo, Japan More information to come
Kyuzo Mifune
Tokyo, Japan Mifune was born a year after the Kodokan was founded, April 21, 1883 in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture on Honshu Island. At age 13, his father sent Mifune to a junior high school at Sendai, in northern Japan. There, he discovered Judo, and decided to dedicate himself to it. At age 14, he defeated nine opponents in a row at one tournament with another high school.
After graduation, he was sent to Tokyo, to a preparatory school anticipating entry into Waseda University. In July, 1903, Mifune joined the Kodokan. His father, finding out he was spending more time at Judo than studying, cut off his allowance, and Mifune, now 22, went out to find work. He began a newspaper, sold advertising, and built it into a thriving enterprise. He was able to sell it at a substantial profit, and entered the economics program at Keio University.
After 15 months, he achieved Shodan in Kodokan Judo, and after the remarkably short time of four more months, Nidan (2nd Degree). Through timing and speed, Mifune quickly gained a reputation, and was never defeated at the annual Red and White Kodokan tournament. By 1912, he was a Rokyudan (6th Degree) and an instructor. In 1937, Kano elevated Mifune to kyduan (9th Degree).
At Kano's death in 1938, Jiro Nango became president of the Kodokan, but Mifune became the most influential instructor. On May 25, 1945, he was elevated to Judan (10th), the fourth of seven men to ever be so honored. In 1956, he wrote his classic book, Canon of Judo, still a remarkable exposition of Judo history, philosophy, and technical description.
Mifune's influence on post-war Judo cannot be underestimated. His skill was perhaps the most elegant ever seen at the Kodokan.
Yuzo Kato
Tokyo, Japan Kato Sensei studied at the Kodokan in Tokyo, Japan. He began Judo at eight years of age. Kato Sensei is a Kodokan Kodansha, ranked at Yan Dan. Kato was a student of great teachers such as Kazuzo Kudo and Kyuzo Mifune. Mifune and Kudo were both direct students of Jigoro Kano himself. Kato taught Kodokan Judo at Umpqua Community College until summer of 2002.
Alexenko
Roseburg, Oregon Alexenko Sensei began the study of Judo in 1965. He instructed Judo alongside Kato at Umpqua Community College for over 20 years. He also taught nursing at UCC. He is currently the instructor for the 12 and under Kodokan Judo program at DFCC.
Bob Van Patten
Corvallis, OR Van Patten Sensei is a U.S.J.A. sixth dan and is the Sensei for the Corvallis Judo/Jujitsu club in Corvallis, Oregon. Van Patten has been very good to Dynamic Full Contact Club allowing us to register under his dojo name until we became a chartered club. He has always been helpful in answering any of our U.S.J.A. questions and needs. Van Patten will be making appearances at Dynamic Full Contact Club for U.S.J.A. Judo and Jujitsu seminars and clinics.
Valery Maximovich Gerasimov
Yakutsk, Russia Gerasimov Sensei teaches Judo in Yakutsk, Russia. He has been a gracious host on many occasions to Keith Sensei and Olga. Keith Sensei has hosted seminars in Gerasimov's Dojo in 2001 and 2004. Gerasimov was one of the main referees and officials at the 3rd International Games of Asia Judo competition. It was he that invited us to aid in the training of the Republic of Sakha Judo team for the Games. In the very near future, Gerasimov will be coming to visit our dojo with some of his students to exchange training ideas and methodology.
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