Notes on Writing the Seven Imperial Universities Judo Chronicle Book by Toshinari Masuda

A story of men who never gave up—who never said “I submit.”

The weak cling to the strong, while the strong carry their team on their backs.
An intensely passionate behind-the-scenes account of young men in the Showa era who dedicated themselves to a “different kind of judo” focused on ground techniques.

Includes many rare photographs from the time.

This book collects special behind-the-scenes stories from the autobiographical novel series Seven Imperial Universities Judo Chronicle I, II, and III, written by author Toshinari Masuda, depicting his days in the Hokkaido University judo club.

In the world of “Seven Imperial Universities Judo,” there are no minor characters—yet here, untold dramas unfold in the background that never made it into the main narrative.

Along with maps of the Hokkaido University area at the time, the book also covers local bar culture and relationships, including interactions with the owner of “Mine-chan,” the master of “Bop,” and the mothers of “Micchan” and “Michikusa.”

It also features a massive 70,000-character long interview with coach Yoichi Sasaki, known as the “Hermit of Newaza (ground techniques),” in which he discusses the full appeal and essence of Seven Imperial Universities Judo.

CONTENTS

• “The Constellation of Men” and Seven Imperial Universities Judo Chronicle
• The future of the epic Seven Imperial Universities Judo Chronicle series
• Yuuki Nakai on the eve of VTJ
• Main characters

Chapter 1: Afterglow of Seven Imperial Universities Judo Chronicle

1. Hoshima and the Faculty of Fisheries
2. Kosen judo and liberal arts
3. Memories of Seiji Sawada
4. Coach Yoshitaka Yamauchi
5. Takashi Matsui and the shoulder hold
6. Days at Yakitori Mine-chan
7. The master of Bop
8. The strong woman Micchan and her love story

Chapter 2: 50th Anniversary Super Long Special Dialogue

Yoichi Sasaki (“Hermit of Newaza,” Hokkaido University judo coach)
—Past and present of Hokkaido University judo

Chapter 3: Dialogue

Ryuichiro Matsubara (Professor, University of Tokyo / Judo Club Director)
—Reading Seven Imperial Universities Judo Chronicle

Chapter 4: Roundtable Discussion

Kyoto University Judo Club
Moderator: Ryuichiro Matsubara
—The miracle of Kyoto University Judo Club, Showa 61

Chapter 5: Dialogue

Sho Ayanokoji
—Dedicated to Yuuki Nakai at age 24

Chapter 6: Dialogue

Naoki Yamada (Seiji Sawada)
—Resolution of youth, 29 years later

Chapter 7: Dialogue

Yishin Izumi (former Hokkaido University judo captain)
—Passing on the spirit

Author Profile

Toshinari Masuda
Novelist, born in Aichi Prefecture in 1965. Former Hokkaido University student.

Debuted as a novelist after winning the Excellence Award in the “This Mystery is Amazing!” Grand Prize in 2006 for Shatoûn: Forest of Bears (Takarajimasha).

In 2012, he received both the Oya Prize and the Shincho Documentary Award for Why did Kimura Masahiko not kill Rikidozan? (Shinchosha), a nonfiction work exploring the life of the strongest judoka in history.

Length: 360 pages

Language: Japanese

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