by Neil Ohlenkamp.......

Shiro SaigoOne of the Four Heavenly Lords (Shitenno) of Kodokan Judo, the fundamental pillars in the creation of Judo, Shiro Saigo was one of the first students of Jigoro Kano. In 1883 Jigoro Kano divided his students into two groups creating yudansha, or graded students, and mudansha, or ungraded students. Shiro Saigo, along with Tsunehiro Tomita, were the first to be awarded the yudansha grade, a grade which a few years later became recognized by the black belt. Saigo and Tomita were the first black belts recorded in the history of Judo (and all martial arts since Jigoro Kano created this system of ranks).

Shiro Saigo is best known for his participation in the 1886 Tokyo Metropolitan Police Judo vs jujutsu tournament held to determine which martial art was superior in a true fight. It was sanctioned by Mr. Mishima, Chief of Police of Tokyo. Jigoro Kano put 15 of his best students, including Shiro Saigo, against Totsuka-ha Yoshin-ryu jujutsu masters. The Totsuka team included four or five jujutsu from other schools, but all eyes were on the ten or so matches between Totsuka and Kodokan.

Jigoro Kano wrote the following regarding his opponents:

"Totsuka Hikosuke was considered the strongest jujutsuka of the Bakumatsu Period (end of the shogunate). After Hikosuke, (his son) Eimi carried the name of the school, and he trained many outstanding jujutsuka. . . In truth, Totsuka's side had powerful fighters and were no blowhards. . . When you mentioned the name Totsuka, you meant the greatest jujutsu masters of that era. My own Tenshin Shinyo-ryu and Kito-ryu (jujutsu) teachers were sorely pressed when they went up against Totsuka jujutsu masters at the shogunate's Komusho dojo. .