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Judo
(Contributors: Neil Ohlenkamp - JudoSensei@aol.com,
Michael D'Auben - 72517.1031@compuserve.com)
Intro:
Judo is a sport and a way to get in great shape, but is also
very useful for self-defense.
Origin: Japan
History:
Judo is derived from Jujutsu (see Jujutsu). It was created by
Professor Jigoro Kano who was born in Japan in 1860 and who died
in 1938 after a lifetime of promoting Judo. Mastering several
styles of jujutsu in his youth he began to develop his own system
based on modern sports principles. In 1882 he founded the Kodokan
Judo Institute in Tokyo where he began teaching and which still
is the international authority for Judo. The name Judo was chosen
because it means the "gentle way". Kano emphasised the larger
educational value of training in attack and defense so that it
could be a path or way of life that all people could participate
in and benefit from. He eliminated some of the traditional jujutsu
techniques and changed training methods so that most of the moves
could be done with full force to create a decisive victory without
injury.
The popularity of Judo increased dramatically after a famous
contest hosted by the Tokyo police in 1886 where the Judo team
defeated the most well-known jujutsu school of the time. It then
became a part of the Japanese physical education system and began
its spread around the world. In 1964 men's Judo competition became
a part of the Olympics, the only eastern martial art that is an
official medal sport. In 1992 Judo competition for women was added
to the Olympics.
Description:
Judo is practiced on mats and consists primarily of throws (nage-waza),
along with katame-waza (grappling), which includes osaekomi-waza
(pins), shime-waza (chokes), and kansetsu-waza (armbars). Additional
techniques, including atemi-waza (striking) and various joint
locks are found in the judo katas. Judo is generally compared
to wrestling but it retains its unique combat forms. As a daughter
to Jujutsu these techniques are also often taught in Judo classes.
Because the founder was involved in education (President of Tokyo
University) Judo training emphasizes mental, moral and character
development as much as physical training. Most instructors stress
the principles of Judo such as the principle of yielding to overcome
greater strength or size, as well as the scientific principles
of leverage, balance, efficiency, momentum and control.
Judo would be a good choice for most children because it is safe
and fun.
Training:
Judo training has many forms for different interests. Some students
train for competition by sparring and entering the many tournaments
that are available. Other students study the traditional art and
forms (kata) of Judo. Other students train for self-defense, and
yet other students play Judo for fun. Black belts are expected
to learn all of these aspects of Judo.
Sub-Styles:
Because Judo originated in modern times it is organized like
other major sports with one international governing body, the
International Judo Federation (IJF), and one technical authority
(Kodokan). There are several small splinter groups (such as the
Zen Judo Assoc.) who stress judo as a "do" or path, rather than
a sport.
Unlike other martial arts, Judo competition rules, training methods,
and rank systems are relatively uniform throughout the world.
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