Takashi Azuma and Design of Daido juku

One of the fundamental precepts of Daidojuku was the creation of a realistic and versatile fighting style that encompassed effective offensive and defensive techniques, including punches to the head, elbows, headbutts, throws and joint locks of judo combined with other ground fighting techniques. Azuma's early development of a martial art was initially a hybrid of Kyokushin karate and judo. Kyokushin was the basis, however, the regulations have changed drastically. The style would not have been limited by the limitations of a single style, but would have used techniques from different martial arts, not just the initial mix of judo and karate. Later in the 1980s and 1990s, this style began to include several martial arts techniques such as boxing, Muay Thai, jujitsu, wrestling, and others all merged into the style of Daidojuku. Protective clothing was introduced, which allowed hand-to-head techniques and provided sufficient protection to the head during kicking techniques.

First Daido juku and Kakutō karate

The Daido Juku organization became operational on February 17, 1981. The first dojo was opened in Miyagi Prefecture under the name "Karate-do Daidojuku". The house martial arts style was also known as Kakutō karate (eng. Fighting Karate) and/or Combat Karate Daidojuku. In the same year, Daidojuku alumni made their competitive debut at the "1981 Hokutoki Karate Championships". Daidojuku played a role in the martial arts boom of the late 80s and early 90s in Japan, being one of the few mixed martial arts organizations in the martial arts industry at the time. He is credited with helping K-1 and U-series promotions reach the Japanese mainstream. In the 1990s, Daidojuku organized kickboxing events known as THE WARS, which centered on the "gloved" rules of full-contact karate, and showcased Daido juku's best talents.

Kudo, the New Direction and the Present

Starting in the mid-1990s, Daidojuku would move away from media-centric promotion and return to the initial course of developing the "safe but practical" style that Daido Juku had been aiming for since its inception. In 2001, Takashi Azuma, founder and president of daidojuku, held an official press conference where he announced that the style promoted by daidojuku would henceforth be called Kudo, thus becoming his own martial art. In the same year, Daidojuku launched the first world championship competition with great success, launching Kudo on the international stage. Based on the philosophy of budō, Kudo is fully expanded in the world and all its instructors and leaders are certified and registered with the International Kudo Federation, also known as KIF.

Exchange with Other Organizations

In the 1990s, Daidojuku exchanged talents with many martial arts organizations, until he ceased activity after the conception of Kudo. In the 1990s, Daidojuku had agreements with Submission Arts Wrestling (SAW), and after that, he interacted with entities of Wushu, Sanshou, Aikido SA, Paraestra and Hatenkai. In addition, some Daidojuku fighters would go and fight in other martial arts organizations, such as RISE, etc. Kudo has more than 100 locations in Japan and is practiced in more than 50 countries around the world.