The reason for my interest is that as a low grade judoka in the mid-sixties I visited the Budokwai and the Renshuden on a number of occasions and encountered several of the people named in the book. Like many others at that time I enjoyed judo as a sport but not to the highly competitive edge that Mr Hoare describes in detail.

The early chapters relate how Mr Hoare became involved in judo and won his 1st Dan black belt at 16 in just 18 months which, even now, would be a considerable achievement. We than follow his 3 years as a serving British soldier during which although his judo activity was limited he was able to achieve a high standard of physical fitness.

The core of the book to my mind is the 4 years (1961-4) in Japan training at the Kodokan and top university and police dojos. This details the exhaustive training undertaken to become an elite player in this sport, which at that level is more akin to rigorous unarmed combat, although played within clearly defined rules, and culminating in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

In my opinion this book will appeal to those who have been on a judo mat and also anyone interested in Japanese culture as experienced by Mr Hoare in the 1960's and hope that Mr Hoare will find the opportunity to write more on this subject.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sadly Syd Hoare died 12th September 2017. An obituary by his daughter Sasha Hoare appeared in "The Guardian" on 8th October 2017. There are also tributes in the on-line bulletins issued by The Kano Society.
--------------------------------------------- ( )