Judo - The gentle way
The Kodokan was founded in 1882 by the late Prof. Kano who himself had established Judo. Judo was derived from Jujitsu which had many names and schools. Jujitsu is an art for either attacking others or defending oneself with nothing but one's own body. Prof. Kano adopted the superlative parts of all the Jujitsu schools, got rid of precarious parts, and established the new Kodokan Judo based on his own insight and arrangement. It started with only nine disciples and a twelve-mat dojo. The Kodokan Judo was recognized in a few years to be excellent since its students overwhelmed the Jujitsu athletes at the Police Bujitsu Contest. This really was the first step for its future rapid progress.
Prof. Kano promoted judo as a physical exercise from a wide national point of view. Proceeding with the organization of the Kodokan and enacting the regulations of Judo, he became the first Asian member of the International Olympic Committee in 1909 and worked for the spread of Judo world-wide. Judo became an official event in the Olympic Games of 1964, backed by Judo fans and sport promoters all over the world. It is now a very popular sport almost anywhere in the world.
What is Judo?
You can see people of all ages from six to over eighty years, and people of all professions, nationalities and sexes enjoying Judo at the Kodokan. They all have their own purposes. Some of them want to be strong, some want to be healthy, some want to strengthen their mind, some want to appreciate the pleasant feeling after perspiring, some want to be able to defend themselves, some want to become instructors of Judo, and some are already devoted to training others. Why is Judo attracting people of all ages and people with so many different purposes?
Prof. Kano created Judo from Jujutsu as the means to learn the great principle of humanity, not only to learn Waza. He named the training institution "Kodokan". The word "Kodo" means to learn, prove and practice the principle. The fact that Prof. Kano named Judo "Kodokan Judo" shows us how he made much of the principle and made it a principal objective of life to learn. Prof. Kano himself said that the purpose of Judo is to strengthen body by practicing attack and defense, to complete the personality by training the mind, and finally to devote oneself to society. The photograph above is a calligraphy by Prof. Kano, which shows the principle and ideal of Judo:
"Maximum-efficiency" and "Mutual welfare and benefit."
The Principles of Waza
Waza is based on the fundamental principle of Judo, that is, "Maximum Efficient Use of Mind and Body". The theories of Tsukuri and Kake are expressing the principle from Waza's viewpoint. Tsukuri is made up of Kuzushi which means to destroy your opponent's posture or balance, and "holding yourself ready" to make your attack easier.
To actually apply your contemplated technique, when his posture has already been broken by Tsukuri, is called Kake. Tsukuri and Kake can also be called technical principles of Judo. While you are practicing Tsukuri and Kake, both depend upon the fundamental principle of "Mutual welfare and benefit" and "Maximum efficiency," you can understand and master the principle which can be applied to all phases of human life. You proceed from Waza to Way by practicing Judo.
Kata and Randori
There are two principal ways of practicing Judo : Kata and Randori. Kata, which literally means "form," is practiced following a formal system of prearranged exercise, while Randori, meaning "free exercise" is practiced freely. Kata of Judo is the best way of defense and attack in various cases, being theoretically systematized. In the Kodokan, the following are the eight main Katas adopted :
- NAGE-NO-KATA ( Forms of Throwing)
Three representative techniques are chosen from each of five Nagewazas. - KATAME-NO-KATA (Forms of Grappling or Holding)
Five model techniques are chosen from each of three Katamewazas. - KIME-NO-KATA (Forms of Decision)
This is to learn the most valuable techniques in an actual fight. They consist of the techniques in a kneeling position and in a standing position. - JU-NO-KATA (Forms of Gentleness)
The ways of attack and defense are arranged in very gentle and expressive movements. - THE KODOKAN GOSHIN-JUTSU (Forms of Self-Defense)
The modern technique of Self-Defense consists of empty-handed techniques and techniques with weapons. - ITSUTSU-NO-KATA (Forms of "Five")
These forms are incomplete though they should have been included in the parts of the great Judo system by Prof. Kano. - KOSHIKI-NO-KATA (Antique forms)
Prof. Kano revised and adopted these forms so as to show the substance of Judo. - SEIRYOKU-ZEN 'YO-KOKUMIN-TAIIKU-NO-KATA
This is the form of National Physical Education.