Kyuzo Mifune
(1884-1965)
Mifune joined the Kodokan in 1903 and remained a member until his death. He was unbelievably energetic and stood at the head of the Kodokan's instructors. The speed with which he mastered the techniques of Judo can only be matched by the rapidity of his promotion. He recieved the grade of 10th dan in 1945 and was a permanent member of the Kodokan Dojo Consultative Group. He is the author of the "Canon of Judo".
In 1964 the Japanese Government awarded him the honor of the Order of the Rising Sun. He was the first person ever to be honored this way during his lifetime.
Before his death in 1965 he was the only tenth dan still alive in the world.
