The Budokwai (The Way of Knighthood Society) was the first Judo club in Europe with membership open to the general public. On January 26, 1918, Gunji Koizumi opened the dojo at 15 Lower Grosvenor Place, Victoria, London SW1. The first chief instructor was Yukio Tani. In July 1920, Dr. Jigoro Kano visited the Budokwai. A member named Tanabe received his first dan, becoming the Budokwai's first home-grown black belt. Tani and Koizumi were promoted to nidan. In August 1933, the Budokwai became a Provisional Branch of the Kodokan. After thirty-five years, the Budokwai moved to 4 Gilston Road, South Kensington. The new premises were officially opened in September 1954 by the Japanese Ambassador H.E. Matsumoto throwing Kawamura.

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