Yamashita Yoshitsugu

Yamashita Yoshitsugu
Yamashita Yoshitsugu, first 10th dan judoka
Born(1865-02-16)February 16, 1865
Kanazawa, Kaga Province, Japan
DiedOctober 26, 1935(1935-10-26) (aged 70)
Native name山下 義韶
StyleJudo
Teacher(s)Kano Jigoro
RankJudo: 10th dan
Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū: Complete license
Notable studentsTheodore Roosevelt; Imperial Japanese Naval Academy; Tokyo Imperial University; US Naval Academy; Tokyo Municipal Police

Yamashita Yoshitsugu (山下 義韶, February 16, 1865 – October 26, 1935), also known as Yamashita Yoshiaki, was a Japanese judoka. He was the first person to have been awarded 10th degree red belt (jūdan) rank in Kodokan judo, although posthumously. He was also one of the Four Guardians of the Kodokan, and a pioneer of judo in the United States.