According to the Kodokan Judo Academy in Tokyo, Jigoro Kano, (1860-1938). the founder of Judo started the use of colored belts for different grades or ability levels
Kano Sensei, in his youth, studied Kito-Ryu jujutsu. Later, by absorbing techniques from other schools such as Yoshin Ryu, he created Judo (柔道) as a physical activity for all people, from Yawara, the ancient samurai method of violently subduing an armed enemy.
When Kano was a jujutsu student, instructors wore strong jackets decorated with diagonal lines of stitching similar to a modern kendo jacket. The color and sometimes the degree of elaboration of the stitching would distinguish the instructor’s rank and experience.
Kano’s idea was to create an art that everyone could practice regardless of income, social status, or gender. Buying expensive new training jackets at every promotion was beyond most people, so he substituted a colored belt instead to denote the wearer’s ability.
