Kano's view of the Olympics in those innocent days of the twentieth century must have convince him that there was concord in attitude with his basic ideals...Already the arguments between amateurism and professionalism were being aired regularly and the importance of winning rather than taking part was gaining prominence. This was as much the case in Japan and Japanese judo circles as in other areas of sport.
In 1936, Kano wrote a letter to Koizumi which reveals a more equivocal attitude towards the Olympics:
I have been asked by people of various sections as to the wisdom and the possibility of judo being introduced with other games and sports at the Olympic Games. My view on the matter, at present, is rather passive. If it be the desire of other member countries, I have no objection. But I do not feel inclined to take any initiative. For one thing, judo in reality is not a mere sport or game. I regard it as a principle of life, art, and science. In fact, it is a means for personal cultural attainment. Only one of the forms of judo training, so-called randori or free practice can be classed as a form of sport. Certainly, to some extent, the same may be said of boxing and fencing, but today they are practised and conducted as sports.Then the Olympic Games are so strongly flavoured with nationalism that it is possible to be influenced by it and to develop Contest Judo a retrograde form as ju-jitsu was before the Kodokan was founded.
Judo should be as free as art and science from any external influences - political, national, racial, financial or any other organised interest. And all things connected with it should be directed to its ultimate object, the 'benefit of humanity'. Human sacrifice is a matter of ancient history.
Another point is the meaning of professionalism. With judo, we have no professionals in the same sense as other sports. No one is allowed to take part in public entertainment for personal gain. Teachers certainly receive renumeration for their services but that is in no way degrading. The professional is held in high regard like the officers of a religious organisation (sic) or professors in the educational world. Judo itself is held by us all in a position at the high altar. To reconcile this point of view with the Western idea is difficult. Success, or a satisfactory result of joining the Olympic Games, would much depend on the degree of understanding of judo by other participating nations.
Gunji Koizumi published the letter in the Budokwai Bulletin in 1947. It was reprinted in Olympic Judo, History and Techniques by Nicolas Soames and Roy Inman, Ippon/Crowood 1990.