About Us
Saltire represents an exciting new non-profit addition to the Scottish judo landscape.
This welcoming club is open to judoka of all levels, from beginners to experienced practitioners, and aims to deliver an enjoyable and comprehensive judo experience.
Meet The Team
The History of Judo - The Judo Code
Judo (often translated as “the gentle way”) is a Japanese martial art and Olympic sport founded by Jigoro Kano (1860–1938). Kano developed judo in the late nineteenth century by drawing on classical jujutsu schools and refining them into a system that emphasised safe practice, technical efficiency, and character development alongside effective throwing, holding, and groundwork.
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In 1882, Kano established the Kodokan in Tokyo, which became the centre for judo’s development and teaching. The Kodokan helped standardise training methods, a formal curriculum of techniques, and a structured grading system that allowed students to progress through coloured belts towards black belt, reflecting increasing technical competence and understanding.
Judo grew rapidly in Japan and then internationally in the early twentieth century, supported by demonstrations, organised instruction, and its adoption within education and physical training. Kano’s guiding principles—Seiryoku Zenyo (maximum efficient use of energy) and Jita Kyoei (mutual welfare and benefit)—remain central to how judo is taught and practiced, shaping both the sporting and personal-development aspects of the art.
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Judo made its Olympic debut at the 1964 Tokyo Games, cementing its global status as a major sport. Today, millions of people practise judo worldwide. Some focus on competition, following a ruleset designed to reward decisive throws and effective groundwork, while others practise for fitness, confidence, discipline, and practical self-defence skills. Across all settings, judo’s culture of respect, safety, and continual improvement reflects Kano’s enduring legacy.
