Naoki Murata, known as a leading researcher on the founder of judo (1860–1938) and former head of the Kodokan Library and Archives Department, passed away in 2020 at the age of 70. He was from a certain region. Approximately 2,000 documents left by Murata, including specialized books, research notes, and memos written before academic presentations, have been donated to Kogakkan University. This spring, the collection was organized as the “Naoki Murata Archive” and is now open to researchers and students involved in judo from Japan and abroad.

Murata, who was cherished as a “knowledge repository of the judo world,” was also a pioneering figure deeply familiar with the thoughts and philosophy of Jigoro Kano. While “JUDO” as a competitive sport spread globally, he focused on preserving “Kodokan judo,” which places greater emphasis on the spiritual aspect. He was also fluent in English and had extensive experience giving lectures and presentations overseas.

Murata passed away in the spring of 2020. The documents were received from his family by Takeshi Sato (41), an associate professor in the Faculty of Education and the coach of the renowned Kogakkan University judo team.

To the coach who threw Riner

Sato is from a certain region. Tsukuba…

Kodokan Library and Archives Department

The Kodokan Library and Archives Department, established in 1842, is part of the historic Kodokan school in Mito, Japan, which was a major center for Confucian learning and the Mito School of historical studies. It houses a vast collection of ancient texts, manuscripts, and documents that preserve Japan’s cultural and intellectual heritage from the Edo period. The library remains a vital resource for researchers studying Japanese history, philosophy, and literature.

Kogakkan University

Kogakkan University is a private university located in Ise, Mie Prefecture, Japan, with a strong focus on Shinto studies and Japanese culture. Founded in 1940, its roots trace back to the early 20th century as a training institute for Shinto priests, and it was officially established as a university to preserve and promote traditional Japanese values. The university is closely tied to the nearby Ise Grand Shrine, one of Japan’s most sacred Shinto sites, and continues to play a key role in educating students about Shinto rituals and history.

Naoki Murata Archive

The Naoki Murata Archive is a specialized collection dedicated to the life and work of Naoki Murata, a prominent Japanese judo historian and author. Housed at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo, the archive preserves his extensive research materials, rare documents, and photographs related to the history and development of judo. It serves as a vital resource for scholars and practitioners seeking to understand the evolution of the martial art.

Jigoro Kano

Jigoro Kano was the founder of judo, a modern martial art and Olympic sport, which he developed in Japan in 1882. A skilled educator and reformer, Kano adapted traditional jujitsu techniques while emphasizing the principles of maximum efficiency and mutual welfare. His legacy continues globally through the widespread practice of judo and its inclusion in the Olympic Games.
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Kodokan Library and Archives Department

The Kodokan Library and Archives Department is a historic institution located in Mito, Japan, originally established in the 19th century as part of the Kodokan, one of the largest Confucian schools in the Edo period. Its library houses a vast collection of ancient texts, manuscripts, and historical records, preserving the cultural and scholarly heritage of the Mito domain. Today, it serves as an important research facility, offering access to rare documents that illuminate Japan’s intellectual and political history.

Kogakkan University

Kogakkan University is a private university located in Ise, Mie Prefecture, Japan, with roots tracing back to the Kogakkan, a school for Shinto studies established in 1882. It was founded to preserve and promote traditional Japanese culture and Shinto, particularly given its proximity to the Ise Grand Shrine. The institution was officially chartered as a university in 1940 and continues to focus on the humanities, especially Japanese history, literature, and religious studies.

Naoki Murata Archive

The Naoki Murata Archive is a specialized collection dedicated to the life and work of Naoki Murata, a prominent figure in the field of aikido and a former curator of the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. The archive preserves a vast array of documents, photographs, and historical materials related to the development of aikido, particularly under the guidance of Morihei Ueshiba. It serves as a crucial resource for researchers and practitioners seeking to understand the technical and philosophical evolution of this martial art.

Ise Grand Shrine

The Ise Grand Shrine, located in Mie Prefecture, Japan, is the most sacred Shinto shrine in the country, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. Its history dates back over 2,000 years, and it is famous for the tradition of *shikinen sengū*, where the shrine’s buildings are meticulously rebuilt every 20 years to maintain purity and pass on carpentry skills. This cycle has been performed for centuries, symbolizing renewal and the enduring nature of Shinto beliefs.

Kodokan Judo Institute

The Kodokan Judo Institute is the historic headquarters of judo, founded in 1882 by Jigoro Kano in Tokyo, Japan. It serves as the global center for the practice and promotion of judo, offering training, competitions, and instructor certification. The institute has played a pivotal role in developing judo from a martial art into an internationally recognized Olympic sport.

Kodokan school

The Kodokan school, established in Mito, Japan, in 1841 by Tokugawa Nariaki, was a prominent domain school that promoted Confucian learning and nationalist ideals during the late Edo period. It played a key role in shaping samurai education and political thought, particularly influencing the movement that led to the Meiji Restoration. Today, the site is preserved as a historic cultural property, featuring traditional architecture and gardens.

Mito School

The Mito School was a prominent Neo-Confucian scholarly tradition that emerged in the Mito Domain of Japan during the Edo period (17th–19th centuries). Founded by Tokugawa Mitsukuni, it focused on compiling a comprehensive history of Japan, the *Dai Nihon Shi*, and promoted a blend of Confucian ethics, Shinto reverence, and loyalty to the imperial line. The school significantly influenced later nationalist thought and the ideological foundations of the Meiji Restoration.

Jigoro Kano

Jigoro Kano was the founder of judo, a modern martial art derived from traditional Japanese jujitsu. Born in 1860, he established the Kodokan in Tokyo in 1882 to promote his system of physical, intellectual, and moral education through martial practice. Kano’s innovations helped transform martial arts into a global sport and Olympic discipline.