What is Judo ?  Judo originated in Japan as a dynamic wrestling system that eventually became an Olympic Sport and is now practiced all over the World.  Judo can be enjoyed by people of all ages and all abilities, both men, women, boys and girls can all do Judo.

 

Modern Kodokan Judo was founded by a 22 year old Japanese graduate by the name of Jigoro Kano in 1882.  He is often referred to as Professor Jigoro Kano, or Dr. Jigoro Kano, not just because of his educational and professional qualifications, but also because of his influence and involvement in reforming much of Japan's physical educational system.  Known throughout the World as the man who invented Judo, but not so many people are aware that he was also instrumental in establishing the very first modern Athletics Association in Japan in 1911 and became the First President of the ALL Japan Athletics Association.  The photograph (illustrated on the right) of Jigoro Kano was taken sometime in the mid-to-late 1930's.

 

Judo Waza: Techniques (known as Waza) were adapted from ancient Ju-Jutsu-Waza (fighting & self-defence techniques) and redesigned to make Judo what it is today - a very competitive, challenging but enjoyable fighting sport.

 

Judo The Olympic Sport: Judo is a many-facetted subject and at one end of the spectrum Judo is a truly modern, competitive Olympic Sport (with its debut being at the Tokyo Olympic Games in Japan in 1964).  At the other end of the scale Judo is still an effective Martial Art form in its own right.  Judo is still used effectively as a training method by the Police and the Armed Forces from Countries all over the World for its self-defence and personal safety qualities.

In between both ends of this vast spectrum - Judo is many things to many people.  It is is enjoyed throughout the world today by literally hundreds of thousands of ‘Judoka’ (the Japanese name for a person who does judo) practicing the sport of Judo for their own reasons and benefits.

 

World Wide Appeal: Many people participate in Judo for competitive reasons, to pit themselves against other skilful Judoka to win medals and belts.  Just as many people play Judo for recreation reasons - for fitness training, for social reasons (meeting new people) and/or conditioning for other sports (such as Rugby, Ju-Jutsu and cross-training for other martial arts too).  Judo is ideal for developing strength of character, self-confidence, physical and mental toughness, balance and, right from the very early beginnings – Judo has always promoted and nurtured good citizenship and respect through the inherent disciplined approach of formal Judo training.

 

Judo is a progressive sport and is constantly evolving.  An example of such change and development can be seen in the NEW BJA Technical Grading Syllabus (launched in April 2008 / Revised November 2008).  The ethos behind this new syllabus is to improve the technical ability of Judo in the UK, ensuring a higher national standard, built around good fundamental principles and skills (just as intended by Professor Kano). 

 

To become a member of the British Judo Association and/or to print off your own copy of the New BJA Technical Grading Syllabus or Mon / Kyu Grade Assessment Record Sheets just click onto the  'BJA Forms' link.

 

Judo Factoids and significant Judo dates:  Interesting 'Factoids' about the founder of modern Kodokan Judo; Professor Jigoro Kano.  As already stated, many people refer to him as Doctor Kano, but also; you may hear the word Shihan attached to his name.  The Japanese word  'Shihan' means 'Master - Founder'.  Also, it is considered polite to say 'San' after the Family name.  Therefore; Kano San is a respectful way of saying 'Mr Kano'.

 

1860 (October 28th):  Jigoro Kano was born near Kobe in Japan.

1882:  Jigoro Kano founded modern Kodokan Judo.  He based his new fighting art on various techniques learnt from various ancient Ju-Jutsu-Ryu (Ryu is an old Japanese word for School & Kan is an old Japanese word for Hall, but also can mean a Hall where learning takes place).  You will also often see 'Ju-Jutsu' spelt in different ways such as: Ju-Jitsu or Jui-Juitsu (or some other combination).  These Ju-Jutsu techniques (Waza is the Japanese word for Technique) were designed for offensive and defensive fighting applications and were adapted by Kano, refined and redesigned to make-up many of the throws & holds that we know today.  Obviously, over the years more techniques were developed, with new throws & holds being invented and incorporated into the Kodokan repertoire.  The Kodokan (which is in Tokyo, Japan) is the Headquarters and spiritual home of Judo.  You can visit the Kodokan website by clicking onto the 'Other Web Links' page.

 

1911:  Kano also established the Japanese Athletics Association and was their first President.

1912:  Professor Jigoro Kano (also known as Dr. Kano) was the the first Oriental to become a member of the International Olympic Committee.  He remained an IOC member working tirelessly to get judo recognised as an Olympic Sport until his death.

 

1930 (circa): This photograph shows one of the 'Foundation Throws' of Judo being demonstrated by Jigoro Kano to a group of his students in Japan.  This throw is called Uki-Goshi and is translated as Floating Hip Throw  (Uki translates as Floating).

This throw is being done left-handed (Hideri is Japanese for Left) and Uke (the person being thrown) is being thrown in a forwards direction - being floated effortlessly over Kano's hip to Uke's 'Left' front-corner).  Migi is Japanese for Right (or right-handed).

 

The photograph (left) is just 'One Single Frame' taken from an old Cine-Film of Professor Kano.  When you watch the whole sequence. . . . He makes it look so effortless and smooth, using pure technique rather than strength - and so quick too.

 

You may have noticed the use of the two terms = Uki and Uke.  They sound very similar but as you can see are spelt differently and have completely differently meanings.

 

1936:  Jigoro Kano represented Japan as an IOC Official at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games.  You can see him in the photograph standing behind the Olympic Champion Jesse Owens (Gold Medal winner).

 

1938 (May 4th):  Jigoro Kano died (aged 78 years old).

 

1940:  Japan was scheduled to host the next Olympic Games in 1940, however 'World History' intervened with the outbreak of World War II and no Olympic Games took place during these turbulent years.

 

1964: Judo was introduced as an Olympic Sport for the first time in 1964 when Japan hosted the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.  This was one of Jigoro Kano's Dreams fulfilled - having Judo recognised with Olympic status.