Fighting Spirit: Judo in Southern California, 1930-1941

LOS ANGELES — A new book documents the prewar days of judo in Southern California, and its effect on the spread of judo across the United States.

Written by Ansho Mas Uchima, a retired aerospace engineer, this is his first publication. A collaborative effort with Larry Akira Kobayashi, the book, entitled “Fighting Spirit: Judo in Southern California, 1930-1941,” published by Midori Books, contains 400 pages with over 75 rare photos of Southern California judo dojos.

“Fighting Spirit” illustrates the history of judo and documents tournaments with a comprehensive list of participants. This is the only book on judo specifically from the perspective of Southern California.

Uchima researched the Issei instructors, many of whom are deceased. Uchima and Kobayashi were able to collect information on the various tournaments and participants by exploring the archives of the Rafu Shimpo (Los Angeles’ Japanese American daily) and examining oral histories of older Nisei.

There are young pictures of many Nisei who would later move on to prominence in the judo world, such as San Jose’s Yosh Uchida. There are also photos from dojos that opened around the country as a result of the SoCal spread of judo.

In addition, “Fighting Spirit” covers the evolution of judo and its foundation in Japan.

“Uchima and Kobayashi demonstrate insight into a valuable historical component of our community,” said a spokesperson for the publisher. “This book allows future generations of Japanese Americans to understand the hardships and the value placed on judo and its vital role in our community.”

Uchima is currently working on his next publication, “Nikkei Generals and Admirals,” due out in early 2009. Some of these profiles have appeared in the Hokubei Mainichi.

Available for purchase, “Fighting Spirit” is already in its second edition. Included in the new edition are corrections and the addition of George Aratani’s family.

To order this book by mail, mail a check to Judo Research and Development Group Inc., 320 E. 2nd St. #311, Los Angeles, CA 90012. For more information, contact Kazuo Shinohara at (213) 680-7734 or jrdgusa@pacbell.net. The cost is $22 plus tax (8.25 percent) and shipping.

The project was facilitated by Japanese American Living Legacy, a non-profit organization based at CSU Fullerton. The board members, staff and advisors are volunteers. For more information, visit www.jalivinglegacy.org or call (714) 278-4483.