Tagore & the introduction of Jujutsu in Shantiniketan

Tagore is credited with the introduction of Judo in India, a fact which is less talked about than his literary creation. Rabindtranath Tagore believed that physical exercises are an inseparable part of our education. In his autobiographical work Chelebela, Tagore reminiscences his childhood experiences of taking lessons of wrestling from a wrestler, whom he describes as KanaPalowan, in the text. Similarly, young Rabi was made to learn gymnastics under the guidance of a gymnastic instructor.i It is no wonder that, Tagore a great admirer of traditional Japanese culture had been an ardent admirer ofJujutsu. What evokes wonder is Gurudevs endeavor to transplant it in an alien soil. He had invited Judo instructors to his school, Shantiniketan. The history of the introduction of Jujitsu in Shantiniketan dates back to 1902, the year which marks a historic meeting of two minds, Tagore and Tenshin in Kolkata. Tenshin Okakura (1862-1913), the eminent writer and art critic of Japan had been the founder of the renowned art school Nihon Bijutsuin. He came to Calcutta in 1902.Further; he had sent two of his disciples, Shaokin Katsuta and Arai Kampo, to join Shantiniketan as art teacher. Tagore had also requested Okakura to send a jujutsu teacher for his school. Responding to his invitation, Jinnotsuke Sano, who had been a student of Keio University, was sent to Tagores Ashram by Fukazawa of the Keio University. From Supriya Roys Makers of a Mission we come to know that, even before Jinnutsuke Sanos arrival, S. Kusumato, another Japanese teacher whom Okakura had sent to teach carpentry in Shantiniketan, had been teaching the boys the basics of Jujutsu.ii However the introduction of formal teachings of Jujutsu in Shantiniketan was surely a great contribution of Sano San. Jinnutsuke Sano stayed in Shantininiketan from 1905-1908, during this period of time he had taught Jujutsu to the students of Shantiniketan. Supriya Roys short biographical sketch of Sano, the teacher and his fostering role in the creation of Shantiniketan is worthy to be noted A tin-roofed shed was built on the northern side of the mango-grove (amrakunja) for jujutsu classes. The students were enthusiastic about these classes. Rathindranath reminisces, Father had bought a jujutsu expert from Japan. We took lessons from him in order to prepare ourselves to fight the British! Had not the spirit and training of judo helped the Japanese to win the war?iii It is interesting to note that, for Tagore and his generation Jujutsu became an icon of Japanese nationalism. Japan succeeded to thwart the onward march of western imperialism. Japans victory over Russia in the war of 1904-1905 enkindled the nationalistic impulses of Bengals intelligentsia of the early 20th century. This victory was celebrated in this part of the empire as an assertion of the power of Asians Also, Okakuras book Ideals of the East with his famous phrase Asia is one, had left an indelible impression on Tagore and his disciples. Thus this nationalistic impulse played an important part in fostering Japanese martial art. Tagores admiration for this traditional Japanese art and game is quite evident in his writing. While writing to Monoronjan Bandyopahyay Tagore has praised Sano the teachers skills in imparting lessons of Judo-

A Jujutsu teacher has come from Japan it is worth watching his capers!iv
It must be noted that Tagores chosen word was Jujutsu instead of Judo, though long before Tagore the new coinage Judo had already substituted the word Jujutsu.

Judo, like Kendo or Karate do, rose out of the experiences of the Samuraies of medieval Japan and belongs to the traditional Japanese cult known as, Bushido. The Japanese character of Bushi means Samurai and that of Do connotes way of life. With the passage of time the Budo or Bushido culture in Japan, underwent a change, and was cultivated for nurturing personal virtues.Self-control and Respect are vital aspects of the BushiDo culture. Kano Jigoro is considered as the founder of modern Judo of the 19th century Japan. . He set up his own Judo school inMay, 1882. He also had preferred to use the
term Judo instead of Jujutsu. The character Doin Japanese connotes way, whereas, the character Jutsu denotes technique. Kano Jigoros choice probably emphasizes his purpose of popularizing Judo, not as a destructive means, but for the sake of moral and physical education.vTagores inclination for the older diction perhaps was due to his love for the traditional Japanese coinage.

Almost two decades after Sanosan had left Shantiniketan, Tagore took another drive to bring another Jujutsu teacher from Japan. In 1929, on his way back from Canada, Tagore paid a short visit to Japan; there he contacted the Tokyo Kodaikan, the chief centre for Judo in Japan. Following Tagores request to them to send a Judo teacher, Shinzo Takagaki (1893-1977), a renowned teacher of Judo came to Shantiniketan. Shinzo Takagaki during his life time achieved the 9th Dan (9th Grade), one grade short of the highest grade awarded in Judo by the Kodokan. Prior to Bengal he had also taught Jujutsu in Canada .The news of Takagkis visit to Tagores school was published in the Japanese daily Ashai Shinbun.vi Tagore himself took the financial responsibility to bear the cost of employing Takagaki. He also appealed to Bidhanchandra Roy, Subhas Bose and others for supporting Takagakis teaching of Judo in undivided Bengal. In October 1929, Takagaki came to Shantiniketan. It is said that Tagore himself took an important part in the welcome ceremony of Takagaki .Students of the Ashram greeted him with garlands and sandal wood. Takagaki gave a short speech which was translated by a Japanese carpentry teacher named Kounosan. Tagores famous song Shonkocher o Biwuvolota nijer opoman was composed during this time and Gurudev dedicated it for the cause of teaching of Jujutsu in Shantiniketan.vii. This time in Shantiniketan a new gymnasium was built, fully equipped for the purpose of imparting Jujutsu. Shinzo Takagaki stayed in Shantiniketan for two years, within this period of time he succeeded in popularizing Jujutsu. Professor Azuma in his biography of Takagaki has referred to a few memoirs of the period, which throw light upon how Takagaki used to involve his students in the practice of Judo. As a teacher he was extremely affectionate to his student, he used to prolong the practice of Judo, until the learners became adept in the crafts of Jujutsu.

One significant aspect of this phase of Jujutsu training was that, girls took part along with boys. Those who had been Takagaki Senseis students, mentioned should be made of Amita Sen, Nibedita Ghosh, Yamuna Sen and others. Tagore believed that Judo could be useful for women from the perspective of self defenseviii. In Shantiniketan, he succeeded in involving girls in Jujutsu classes at a time, when bringing a girl child to school was itself a challenge for educators. Tagore wanted to popularize Jujutsu. Advised by Tagore, Takagaki with his students went to different places to demonstrate and to teach Jujutsu. Once they went to Varanasi to display the craft of Jujutsu. Professor Azuma has referred to the travelogue of Maki Hoshi, Takagakis wife in narrating this voyage.Mrs. Gandhi, our erstwhile Prime Minister, had been among the audience that had thronged at the field of Beneras Hindu University, to watch Jujutsu. It is said that, Takagaki and his team received well appreciation in Varanasi.ix If Jinnutsuke Sano is credited with the introduction of Judo in India, Takagakis contribution lies in popularizing it in the whole Indian subcontinent. Based on his experiences of teaching Judo to his pupils of Tagores school, he later wrote a book named, Techniques of Judo. After leaving India, Takagaki went to Nepal and Afghanistan to introduce Judo. After the 2nd World War he went to different countries and started teaching the art of Jujutsu. Tagore had been extremely positive about Takagakis involvement in Shantiniketan. He had hoped that Takagakis efforts would be helpful in popularizing the game. He also had hoped to attain funding to supports Takagakis teaching in Shantiniketan. As early noted, Tagore appealed to Bidhan Chandra Roy and Subhas Chandra Bose for this purpose. In this context, Tagores letter to Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, dated 25th April, 1931, may be referred to I wrote some time ago to Shrijukta Subhas Chandra Bose about our jiu-jitsu professor, Mr. Takagaki, but apparently he has not been able to reply to it as he is touring about in East Bengal. May I now put before you the case of Prof. Takagaki, whom as you know I brought from Japan specially for the purpose of giving a thorough training in the art of jiu-jitsu to the students of BengalWhen I found out that our countrymen did not properly realize the importance of the visit of Prof. Takagaki to our country I had to take up the entire financial responsibility of his travel and stay in this country.x Tagores hopes did not come true. He had been probably ahead of his time. Why was Tagore so keen on introducing Jujutsu in his school? The possible answer to this question could be found in the kind of education Tagore desired to impart to his students. For Tagore, the aim of education can never be confined to the needs of fulfilling the requirements of livelihood, but for him, education should unfold the the unity of truthxi, a phrase he coined in the lecture he delivered in America. In this lecture titled as, My School, Tagore emphatically says:

We devote our soul attention to giving children information, not knowing that by this emphasis we are accentuating a break between the intellectual, physical and the spiritualxii Tagores vision of education was one of total activity. About Viwsa-Bharati, his dream vision was that; it must be made into a centre for the spiritual endeavor of all mankind. It was also Tagores desire to inculcate the spirit of universalism among his students. Thus, it is no wonder that Tagore rightly perceived that Judo, or Jujutsu is not an ordinary game, the strength of it lies in the possibility of developing self- discipline and spirituality among the learners. Although Tagore did not know Japanese, this never created an impediment to understand the essence of another culture. His efforts in transplanting Judo or Jujutsu in Shatiniketan, was in coherence with his ideas about the making of Visva-Bharati, as ideal seat of learning, where East would meet West, and all the wisdoms of the world would be available for his students.

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ii

Chelebela: Rabindranath Tagore Pages 722.723

Makers of a Mission: Supriya Roy Page 38 Makers of a Mission: Supriya Roy Page 58 iv Quoted by Supriya Roy in Makers of a Mission, Page58 v Budo The Martial ways of Japan: NipponBuddokan, Page -40 vi Ujjol Surjo: Kazuo Azuma Page- 3 vii ibid Page- 4 viii ibid Page- 6 ix ibid Page -10 x Selected Letters of Rabindranath Tagore, Edited by Krishna Dutta and Andrew Robinson xi My School, Lectures &Addresses ,Rabindranath Tagore ,Page -47 xii Ibid Page- 47
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