Judo in the U.S.: A Century of Dedication »

Michel Brousse, a sixth-degree black belt, teaches the cultural history of sport and the didactics of judo at Bordeaux University in France. He is the author of numerous books and articles on these subjects. A former member of the French national judo team, he currently serves as Media Director of the International Judo Federation.

David Matsumoto is a sixth-degree black belt and an acclaimed psychologist specializing in intercultural adjustment, culture, and emotion. He is a professor of psychology at San Francisco State University, and the head instructor of the East Bay Judo Institute, one of the USA's top dojos. He is a renowned judo coach and official and author of several books about judo as well as culsture and psychology. Both Michel Brousse and David Matsumoto are official researchers for the International Judo Federation.

Commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the United States Judo Federation, this volume traces the more than 100-year history of judo practice in America. The authors begin with a comprehensive survey of Japan's classical disciplines, which sets the foundation for understanding what judo is and what it means to the people who practice it. They show how, from its arrival on U.S. shores in the late nineteenth century, judo has built upon the strengths of the two societies it bridges. For martial arts practitioners and others interested in Asian and American cultural history, this thoroughly researched and richly illustrated book is an indispensable resource for understanding judo's ongoing role in the contemporary life of the United States.