Description

Sumiyuki Kotani (小谷 澄之, Kotani Sumiyuki; August 3, 1903 – October 9, 1991). Judo ambassador who travelled around with Kano, and one of this last direct students.

Teachers (1)

• 
  Kanō Jigorō

  sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Well-documented as one of Jigoro Kano's last direct students, with multiple reliable sources including Judo Info and biography book

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  location_onKodokan badge (1921–1938)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Well-documented as one of Jigoro Kano's last direct students, with multiple reliable sources including Judo Info and biography book

  “He was one of Jigoro Kano’s direct students, and only the 7th man to receive a 10th Degree Black Belt while he was still alive.”

  — Judo Info: Profiles of Judo 10th Dan Holders link

  “Kotani can be considered Kano's last direct disciple. [...] Kano often chose Kotani as a traveling instructor on his teaching tours overseas.”

  — Stevens, John. (2013). The Way of Judo: A Portrait of Jigoro Kano and His Studentsinfo

Ranks (1)

• sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō

  military_tech10 dan Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Officially awarded 10th dan by Kodokan in 1984, well-documented in Judo Channel and biography book

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  Dan-Kyu System (1984)

  granted by Kodokan

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Officially awarded 10th dan by Kodokan in 1984, well-documented in Judo Channel and biography book

  “Sumiyuki Kotani [...] April, 1984 10th Dan”

  — Judo Channellink

  “[Kotani] was promoted to tenth dan in 1984”

  — Stevens, John. (2013). The Way of Judo: A Portrait of Jigoro Kano and His Studentsinfo

Students (2)

• 
  Emilio Mel Bruno

  sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō Possible

  Possible

  One magazine profile places his start in judo with Kotani on the wrestling mats; that may mean teaching or only shared practice.

  Some evidence points to the claim, but it is thin, indirect, or in unresolved conflict with other evidence.

  (1932)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  One magazine profile places his start in judo with Kotani on the wrestling mats; that may mean teaching or only shared practice.

  “Bruno took his initial bows in judo via the wrestling mats and Professor S. Kotani, who at that time in 1932 had come over to the United States for Olympic competition that same year in Los Angeles, California.”

  — (1971-01). The gentle old man of American Judo: Mel Brunolink info
• person
  Yeiji Inouye

  sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō Probable

  Probable

  Judo Canada's own history only.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  history_eduTradition only

  Tradition only: every supporting source is the lineage's own account of itself

  location_onKodokan badge (1964–1967)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Judo Canada's own history only.

  “In 1964 he was appointed assistant military attache to the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo and stationed there for three years. Not only did he train daily at the Kodokan with Kotani-sensei and Shinojima-sensei”

  — Leyshon, Glynn A.. (1998). Judoka: The History of Judo in Canadainfo

Sources

Identifiers