The Vision of Takashi Azuma (1949–2021)
The history of Kudo is inseparable from the life of its founder, Takashi Azuma. Born in Kesennuma, Japan, Azuma began his martial arts journey in high school through Judo. After serving in the Japanese Special Forces, he joined the Kyokushin Karate organization under the legendary Masutatsu Oyama.
Azuma became one of Kyokushin’s most formidable competitors, winning the 9th All-Japan Full Contact Karate Open in 1977. However, his competitive experience led to a growing dissatisfaction with traditional full-contact karate rules. He observed:
- Safety Concerns: The lack of head protection led to a high rate of facial and head injuries.
- Technical Limitations: Kyokushin prohibited punches to the face, grabbing, and throwing—elements Azuma felt were essential for “real” fighting.
- Physical Bias: He believed traditional knockdown rules disproportionately favoured larger, heavier fighters.
1981: The Birth of Daido Juku
In 1981, Azuma broke away from the Kyokushin organisation to establish Karatedo Daido Juku in Sendai City. The name Daido Juku literally translates to “School of the Great Way”.
At its inception, the style was dubbed “Kakuto Karate” (Combat Karate). It introduced the Super Safe Face Protector (now evolved into the Neo Headgear Ku), a clear-shielded helmet that allowed for full-contact strikes to the face while protecting the wearer from superficial damage and broken bones.
1980s–1990s: Technical Evolution
Throughout the 1980s, Daido Juku served as a laboratory for combat evolution. Azuma began integrating techniques from various disciplines to create a “Total Combat” system:
- Striking: Retained the power of Kyokushin but added head-butts, elbow strikes, and boxing-style punching.
- Grappling: Reintroduced his Judo roots, allowing for throws, trips, and clinch work.
- New Horizons: In the 1990s, the style further incorporated elements from Muay Thai, Boxing, Sambo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
During this era, the organisation began its geographic expansion, opening branches in Tokyo (1983) and Osaka (1985). International expansion began in earnest in 1993 with the opening of a branch in Vladivostok, Russia—a country that would eventually become the world’s most dominant Kudo powerhouse outside of Japan.
2001: From Karate to Kudo
The most significant turning point occurred in 2001. Azuma officially renamed the art Kudo (meaning “The Way of the Open Mind”). This was not merely a branding change; it was a philosophical declaration that the art had evolved beyond “Karate” into its own unique category of Modern Budo.
This renaming allowed Kudo to be recognised by the Japanese government as an official Cultural Budo sport, placing it alongside historical arts like Judo, Kendo, and Aikido. The Kudo International Federation (KIF) was established to govern the sport globally.
Global Expansion and Major Milestones
Kudo’s growth is marked by its international tournament circuit, managed by the Kudo International Federation:
- 2001: The 1st World Kudo Championships were held in Tokyo, featuring participants from over 20 nations.
- 2011: The 1st World Kudo Cup was held in Moscow, Russia.
- 2013: Kudo was featured as an invitation sport at The World Games in Cali, Colombia.
- 2021: Founder Takashi Azuma passed away at the age of 71, leaving the leadership to a dedicated board of directors.
- 2023: The 6th World Kudo Championships took place in Tokyo, confirming the sport’s presence in over 60 countries.
Today, Kudo is practiced as both a competitive sport and a system for “social physical education,” focusing on youth development and adult realisation rather than just physical strength.
