His correct name was Tsunetane Oda, but through a misinterpretation of the kanji 常胤 he is more commonly known as Join.

Oda was born in Yamanashi Prefecture, Honshu, Japan in 1892.

[1] He started studying judo in 1909 at the age of 17 at Numazu Kōtō senmon gakkō (高等専門学校, Higher Special School), joining the Kodokan the following year and receiving his 1st Dan in 1911.

[1] He excelled at newaza (ground work) and felt that it warranted greater emphasis than the Kodokan gave it.

[2] Although sources often cite Yaichibei Kanemitsu on his place,[3] Oda is sometimes credited with developing the strangulation technique sankaku-jime (三角絞).