Mrs. Judo

Keiko Fukuda, the titular diminutive 98-year-old, dedicated her life to judo. In 2011, when director Yuriko Romer met her, Fukuda was the last living disciple of Master Jigoro Kano, founder of the practice. She would also become the highest-ranking woman when she obtained the 10th degree black belt. Fukuda, who grew up in Tokyo, remembers a close escape from a burning house after the 1923 earthquake (fortunately, her entire family survived). On a visit to Japan during filming, she explains that her grandfather taught Kano jujitsu, so her connection to the sensei pre-dated her birth. When she turned 21, her mother took her to Kano in hopes that he would find her a husband, but she became obsessed with judo instead (Kano died in 1938, but Fukuda still tears up here when she talks about him). Katsuko Umetsu, another high-ranking woman master, explains that traditional Japanese marriage and judo didn't mix, so she divorced her husband, while Fukuda never married. Fukuda went on to become a teacher at Kano's Kodokan School. As her reputation grew, she established wider connections, eventually moving to America and the Bay Area in 1966. At that time, women could not advance beyond the 5th degree black belt, but Fukuda's supporters helped change the rules. Fukuda continued to teach for the next 46 years, even after she started to use a wheelchair. Romer interweaves golden-hued archival footage of Fukuda to demonstrate some of the sport's signature moves, as well as comments from judo practitioners who have taken inspiration from Fukuda (who died in 2013), including Olympians Toshihiko Koga and Kaori Yamaguchi. A fine portrait of a groundbreaking martial arts figure, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)