Native name 永岡 秀一 Name Shuichi Nagaoka Nationality Japan Died November 22, 1952 | Style Judo Teacher Kano Jigoro Rank Judo: 10th Dan | |
Seiryoku Zenyo Kokumin Taiiku: Kime shiki
Shuichi Nagaoka (永岡 秀一, Nagaoka Shūichi, September 17, 1876 – November 22, 1952) was an early student of Judo and the third person to be promoted to 10th dan.
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Biography
Nagaoka was born in Okayama Prefecture September 17, 1876. He trained in Kito-ryu jujutsu under Noda Kensaburo (野田 権三郎) in Okayama before moving to Tokyo in 1892. In January 1893 he started training at the Kodokan, earning his first dan in September 1894. He was considered a "child prodigy" due to his fast rising, being compared to the legendary Shiro Saigo. His favourite technique was the ura-nage.
In 1899, Nagaoka faced Fusen-ryu jujutsu master Mataemon Tanabe in a special match. Tanabe was famous for submitting judokas thanks to his skill at ne-waza, but Nagaoka was able to resist his groundwork. At one point, Mataemon attempted and almost locked a juji-gatame, but Nagaoka's defense and their position near the bounds of the tatami impeded the technique. The match was declared a draw.
In 1902 as a fifth dan, Nagaoka moved to Kobe with the mission of the spreading judo in and taught at the "Hyogo constable Driving School". He was made professor of judo at Dai Nihon Butokukai in 1903. In May 1913 Nagaoka became a mentor at the Kodokan and was made judo professor at Tokyo High School as well as at the Metropolitan Police and Central University and was awarded a Bachelor of judo from Dainippon Butokukai in 1914. He was promoted to tenth dan on 27 December 1937, the third person to be afforded the honour, and the last person to be promoted to that rank by Kano Shihan. He died November 22, 1952, aged 77.