Judo

Judo throw

Judo (柔道, "Gentle way") is a Japanese martial art developed in 1882 by Jigoro Kano.

It originated from the many different schools of jujutsu, specifically Tenjin Shinyo-ryu and Kito-ryu, and specializes in throws. Practitioners of judo are called judoka.

Principles[edit]

Judo teaches the use of leverage, quick movements, and breaking balance (崩し, kuzushi) in order to throw an opponent. Another point is using one's physical and mental power efficiently.

Techniques[edit]

New York Judo Club. 2013, Tournament of Champions

Judo techniques are divided into throws (投げ技, nage-waza), grappling techniques (固技, katame-waza), and striking techniques (当て身技, atemi-waza). Also crucial is learning to fall safely (受身, ukemi).

Nage-waza are divided into standing techniques (立ち技, tachi-waza), and sacrifice techniques (捨身技, sutemi-waza). Tachi-waza are divided into hand techniques (手技, te-waza), hip techniques (腰技, koshi-waza), and leg techniques (足技, ashi-waza). Sutemi-waza are divided into supine sacrifice techniques (真捨身技, ma-sutemi-waza) and side sacrifice techniques (橫捨身技, yoko-sutemi-waza).

Katame-waza are divided into pinning techiques (押込技, Osae-komi-waza), choking techniques (絞技, Shime-waza), and joint locks (関節技, kansetsu-waza)

Atemi-waza include punches, kicks, knee strikes, finger strikes, and elbow strikes. Atemi-waza are only practiced in kata, not free practice, since they could result in serious injury, unconsciousness, or death.

Forms of practice[edit]

Judo is practiced in either free practice (乱取り, randori), or kata (prearranged forms).

In randori, any throw can be performed (except a few dangerous throws), and grappling techniques are also performed, except shime-waza. Also exempt from randori include atemi-waza, for the reasons described above.

Katas consist of Randori-no-kata (free exercise katas), which is divided into Nage-no-kata (Throwing kata), and Katame-no-kata (Grappling kata), Kime-no-kata (Decisive kata), Kodokan Goshin Jutsu (Kodokan self- defense kata), Ju-no-kata (Gentle kata), Itsutsu-no-kata (The Five Katas), and Koshiki-no-kata (Kata of Antiquity). There is also Seiryoku-zenyo-kokumin-taiiku (Maximum-Efficiency National Physical Education), which is used by judoka to train outside the dojo.

Resuscitation techniques[edit]

Sometimes, a judoka is choked into unconsciousness during randori or competition, and resuscitation techniques (活法, kappo) are used to resume their breathing. Kappo are not unlike CPR, but do not involve mouth-to-mouth techniques.

Kodokan[edit]

The Kodokan, founded in 1882 by Jigoro Kano, is located in Tokyo, Japan. This is the international judo center. The Kodokan publishes a monthly magazine titled Judo, that Kodokan members subscribe to. Members pay a monthly fee, and international students can enroll.

See also[edit]

• Aikido
• Tae Kwon Do
• Karate
• Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

External links[edit]

• Judo Info