09/26/2026
A Little Handkerchief and a Big Lesson from Jigoro Kano
There is a great story about Jigoro Kano meeting a foreigner who was curious about judo and boxing. The man asked Kano what he would do if someone suddenly tried to punch him. He took an aggressive stance and demonstrated a punch.
Kano calmly reached into his pocket, pulled out a handkerchief, and threw it directly into the man's face! While the man was momentarily surprised, Kano stepped inside his arms and pretended to throw him.
The visitor was caught completely off guard. Rather than relying on strength or trying to meet force with force, Kano had simply created an opportunity by using timing, surprise, and movement.
The man reportedly congratulated Kano on his cleverness and acknowledged the effectiveness of his approach.
To me, that's a great little reminder of what makes judo special: you don't always have to be stronger—you have to recognize the moment. Seiryoku Zenyo: maximum efficient use of energy. 🥋
The anecdote is recorded in historical judo literature and attributed to Kano; details vary somewhat among retellings.
