The , or Kōdōkan (講道館), is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community. The kōdōkan was founded in 1882 by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo, and is now an eight-story building in Tokyo. Etymology Literally, kō (講) means "to lecture", dō (道) means "way," and kan (館) is "a public building". Together it can be translated as "a place for the study of the way." Function The Kodokan Institute offers classes for those who want to master judo. The program is authorized as a non-regular school by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Its courses include the theories and practice of judo, and matters of general education. The course is divided into two parts: a general course for novices, and special courses for those who have completed the general course or its equivalent. The Kodokan also issues ranks, and many judoka (practitioners of judo) around the world become Kodokan members and have their ranks registered with the Kodokan. The Institute was founded with only nine disciples. The growth of judo in its early years is demonstrated by the growth of the Kodokan itself: 12 mats - May 1882, at the Eishōji, a Buddhist temple in Ueno 40 mats - Spring 1887, at Shinagawa's house, Kōjimachi 107 mats - February 1894, at Koishikawa-chō, Shimotomisaka-chō 314 mats - January 1898, at Ōtsuka Sakashita-chō 986 mats - March 1958, at 2-chome, Kasuga-chō, Bunkyō, Tokyo Today, the Kodokan has 1,206 mats across the five main dojo (training halls)—Main, School, International, Women's, and Boys'—plus a special dojo for retired judoka and special technique study purposes. Building There are eight floors and a basement to the Kodokan dojo, each serving purposes for housing, training, and research by judoka. The basement holds the cafeteria and some conference rooms. The first floor has parking, a bank, and a store. The second floor contains a library and more conference rooms. The third floor is for judoka and visitors who are living in the dojo. The fourth floor contains dressing rooms. The fifth, sixth, and seventh floors are all used for training space (the seventh floor is called the Main Dojo), and the eighth floor is for spectators and has seats that look down into the main space of the seventh floor. Research floor The Kano Memorial Hall, Historical hall, exhibition room, and material stock room are located on the second floor. The halls contain posters of the development of judo,