Four Guardians of the Kōdōkan refers to the four notable judo competitors of the early Kōdōkan: Tomita Tsunejirō, Yamashita Yoshitsugu, Yokoyama Sakujiro, and Saigō Shirō.
Four Guardians of the Kōdōkan
"Kōdōkan Shiten'nō" (講道館四天王) literally translates as Four Heavenly Kings[1] of the Kōdōkan. Shiten'nō refers to four Devarajas, Hindu gods, historically adapted by Japanese Buddhism.[2] Traditionally, the Four Heavenly Kings are the guardian gods that are worshipped as the protecting deities of Buddhist sanctuaries.[3]
When Kanō Jigorō began to develop judo from jujutsu, his efforts met with opposition from jujutsu practitioners. However, Kano drew a loyal following that included exceptional fighters. Hence the term "Four Guardians of the Kōdōkan" came into existence referring to Tomita Tsunejirō along with Yamashita Yoshitsugu, Yokoyama Sakujiro, and Saigō Shirō.[4]
Yokoyama Sakujiro
(1864 – 1914)
Tomita Tsunejirō
(1865 – 1937)
Yamashita Yoshitsugu
(1865 – 1935)
Saigō Shirō
(1866 – 1922)
See also
References
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