What is JUDO?

The mention of the word Judo to most people brings to mind death-dealing blows on the back of the neck or 100-pound weaklings throwing Goliaths over their shoulders with the flick of a wrist. Both impressions are incorrect. It is neither magic nor trickery although it is sometimes a means by which the weak can defeat the strong. It is, in fact, a honorable and well-regulated sport based on ancient Japanese methods of barehanded fighting. It is a kind of wrestling with clothes on, requiring a special uniform, necessary to its practice. Ordinary people, young and old, male or female, may engage in it. There are no secret shortcuts to proficiency - progress depends on the individual and the teacher. Whether or not a weakling could defeat a giant, or whether a judo man could conquer a wrestler or boxer, depends entirely on the two individuals concerned. There are good judo men, boxers and wrestlers. All have the ability for close in fighting, using whatever skills they possess. The fighter who can effectively apply his technique first will undoubtedly win. Although judo is based on the martial arts of Japan (Bujitsu), judo men (Judoka) practice it only as a sport to be played against other judo men. Its application for self-defence is rarely taught in judo schools. Formerly a part of the curriculum of all Japanese police academies, general hand-to-hand tactics has been discontinued, except for special problems in handling mob violence. A Brief History of JUDO In feudal Japan, the only weapons were hands (jiujutsu), knives, clubs, staves, swords, spears and bows and arrows. Use of these was taught and practiced with scientific and often deadly skill. Teachers held official positions and were highly regarded. Their teachings were promulgated in the many schools that developed. Toward the end of the Tokugawa era (1576-1876) a great change occurred in the types of weapons and methods of fighting. The old martial arts fell into rapid disuse and interest diminished accordingly. The jiujutsu masters lost their official positions and were forced to seek employment elsewhere. Many turned to wrestling and to exhibitions at fairs. One man, Jigoro Kano, a student of many of the old masters, realized that the arts were disappearing. He set out to revive, organize and systematize a course of instruction in them. In June 1882, he established the Kodokan in Tokyo. Today's sport of judo is that system as developed by Kano in the intervening years. The Purpose and Aims of JUDO Judo means literally the “gentle way“ and Kodokan means literally “a school of studying the way,“ “ the way“ being the concept of life itself. The following is an extract from a speech given at the University of Southern California by Professor Kano, on the occasion of the 10th Olympiad in 1932. “Let me now explain what this gentleness or giving way really means. Suppose we assume that we may estimate the strength of a man standing in front of me is represented by ten units, whereas my strength, less than his, is represented by seven units. Then if he pushes me with all his force I shall certainly be pushed back or thrown down, even if I use all my strength against him. This would happen because I used all my strength by withdrawing my body just as much as he had pushed, remembering to keep my balance, then he would naturally lean forward and thus lose his balance. In this new position, he may have become so weak (not in actual physical strength but because of his awkward position) as to have his strength represented for the moment by, say, only three units, instead of his normal ten units. But meanwhile, I, by keeping my balance, retain my full strength, as originally represented by seven units. Here then, I am momentarily in an advantageous position and I can defeat my opponent using only half of my strength, that is half of my seven units, or three and one-half of my strength against his three. This leaves one-half of my strength available for any purpose. In case I had greater strength than my opponent I could of course push him back, but even in this case, that is, if I had wished to push him back and had the power to do so, it would be better first for me to have given way, because in doing so I should have greatly economized my energy“. Training and Practice In Japan, judo is practiced in a building or room called a dojo. The floor of the dojo is covered with tatami (Mat 3x6 feet) and an area of 24 to 50 mats. Although regulation tournament size is an area of 50 mats, only a few dojos attain that size in Japan because of the expense. The floor of the dojo is usually supported on coil springs or made of thin resilient flooring. Tatami gives the floor a smooth hard surface to facilitate use of foot techniques and minimize sprained ankles and stubbed toes. Shoes are never worn in the dojo. Special emphasis is placed on cleanliness by all judoka. The judo-gi or costume should be clean and worn with the jacket tucked under the belt. Finger and toenails should be kept short. The general rules of good health apply in judo, as with all sports, and need not be elaborated here. In judo a person can set his own pace as to how hard or easy he wishes to practice. The general schedule of training is as follows:- Calisthenics – for limbering and warming up, also for developing muscles. Ukemi – falling exercise. Kata – a prearranged method of practicing techniques. Uchikomi – an exercise for practicing form to develop the correct action of your body in applying the technique. Randori - is free exercise, whereby the actual application of techniques is practiced against a partner who is trying to defend himself or throw you.