Description

Japanese judo administrator, second son of Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo. Never practiced judo himself, but as an organizational figure shaped postwar Japanese and international judo: third head (館長) of the Kōdōkan (1946-1980), first president of the All Japan Judo Federation (1949-1980), and president of the International Judo Federation (1952-1965), under whom the first World Judo Championships were held from 1956. Handled the aftermath of the dissolution of the Dai Nippon Butokukai in 1946, including recognition of Butokukai dan grades as Kodokan grades, took part in the negotiations with the occupation authorities to restore judo education in schools, hosted the All Japan Judo Championships under Kodokan auspices in 1948, and petitioned IOC president Avery Brundage in 1960 to make judo an official sport of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Awarded Jean de Herdt his 4th dan in December 1951, in his capacity as president of the Kodokan and of the Japanese judo federation.

Offices held (3)

• corporate_fareHead (館長, 3rd)Kodokan Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Independent sources state it.

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

  1946 – 1980

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Independent sources state it.

  “1946年11月、講道館2代目館長の南郷次郎が病気により辞職すると、第3代館長に就任（1980年まで）。”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). 嘉納履正 - Wikipedia (JA). Wikipedia (Japanese)link history info

  “Eleven months later, Kano Risei (1900–1986), son of Kano Jigoro, became the third Kodokan president.”

  — Green, Thomas A.; Svinth, Joseph R.. (2010). Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation info

  “The 3rd Kodokan director Risei Kano [...] Term as head 1946 to 1980”

  — About the Kodokan: History of Kodokan Heads link info
• corporate_farePresident (会長, 1st) All Japan Judo Federation Confirmed

  Confirmed

  The federation's own history and Japanese Wikipedia agree.

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

  1949 – 1980

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  The federation's own history and Japanese Wikipedia agree.

  “5月6日 全日本柔道連盟創立（初代会長・嘉納履正講道館長）”

  — 全柔連の歴史 - 全日本柔道連盟公式サイト (History of AJJF - All Japan Judo Federation Official Site)link history info

  “1949年、全日本柔道連盟（全柔連）が組織されると、初代会長に就任（1980年まで）”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). 嘉納履正 - Wikipedia (JA). Wikipedia (Japanese)link history info
• corporate_farePresidentInternational Judo Federation Probable

  Probable

  Wikipedia only.

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

  1952 – 1965

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Wikipedia only.

  “Kanō Risei was the second president of the International Judo Federation, from 1952 to 1965.”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Kano Risei. Wikipedia (English)link history info

Sources

Identifiers