What is Judo

This text is designed to provide some background and general information on the martial art of Judo. The information in this text is a combination of things I have been taught by my own teachers, learned from other practitioners of the art, and picked up from extensive reading on the subject. Readers should feel free to repost this article anywhere you feel it might be of interest.

1 Introduction

2 The History of Kodokan Judo

3 Some Common Judo Terms

4 The Techniques of Judo

5 Judo Competition

6 The Kata of Judo

1 -- Introduction

Judo, or more properly Kodokan Judo, is one of the oldest of the "modern" martial arts and was one of the first to achieve widespread practice outside of Asia. Even so, there seems to be a general lack of knowledge about Judo in the martial arts community and many misconceptions are common. Although Judo is widely practiced as a sport, it also contains many techniques applicable to self-defense. First and foremost however, Judo was intended as a method of self improvement (physical and mental) in order to benefit both the individual and society as a whole. Judo is most often translated as the "gentle way" although many who observe a typical Judo workout would say it is anything but gentle! Perhaps a more appropriate translation would be "yielding" as a skilled practitioner should ideally "yield" to an attacker's force, and use that force to help overcome the attacker. The two central concepts of Judo are sei-roku-zen-yo and jita-kyoi or "maximum efficient use of mind and body" and "mutual welfare and benefit." The first of these concepts refers to not opposing force with force, but using the most efficient means of neutralizing an attack, or of approaching life in general. The second term means that not only should both partners benefit from their practice of Judo with neither one suffering injury, but that the individual's progress should benefit society as a whole.

2 -- The History of Kodokan Judo

Judo is an outgrowth of Jujutsu. In the late 1800 during the Meiji period in Japan, many of the traditional Jujutsu schools were in danger of disappearing due to the rush to westernize the country. Professor Jigiro Kano, the founder of Kodokan Judo, was a student of several schools of Jujutsu, including Tenshin Shin'yo ryu and Kito ryu. He felt that Jujutsu still had much to offer the modern world in terms of physical education and personal development, and set out to try to bring their teachings to a contemporary audience. In developing Judo, Kano had two criteria in choosing the techniques to include. First, he felt in must be a technique that could be practiced safely in the dojo. Many of the techniques of Jujutsu were so potentially dangerous to one's partner, that it was difficult to practice them in a realistic manner. By choosing "safer" techniques, Kano was able to place a greater emphasis on randori or sparing in his training. Second, he strove to choose techniques that embodied his ideal of maximum efficiency. He felt that by using strength efficiently allowed a smaller person to overcome a larger one.
Taking the techniques he choose based on these two principles, and drawing on his own experience in western style education, Kano created Kodokan Judo. Kano was also the first to introduce the graded belt system so widely used in the martial arts today. He opened his first dojo (the Kodokan, from which Kodokan Judo takes its name) in 1882 in a shrine near Tokyo. Supported by a number of experienced Jujutsu practitioners, Kano's Judo quickly gained acceptance and spread. Judo found it's way into Japanese public schools, and into the training of police departments and the military. In the early 1900s Judo began to spread around the world, as experienced Japanese practitioners traveled abroad and people in other countries began to learn of it. At one time, U.S. president Teddy Roosevelt even studied Judo. As the practice of Judo spread, competition grew into international tournaments, until in 1964 Judo became part of the Olympic Games.

Over the years Judo has continued to develop, with old techniques being refined, and new ones added. As time passed, Kano sent a number of his senior student to study with other masters such as Morihei Ueshiba and Gichin Fuankoshi, and the influence of both Aikido and Shotokan Karate can be seen in some of the kata of Judo.

3 -- Some Common Judo Terms

Like many martial arts, Judo maintains many terms and descriptions in the original language of the art, in this case Japanese. Some of the more commonly encountered are listed in this section (remember that the spellings of Japanese words do not use a silent "e", so a word like "nage" is pronounced "nah-gay", not "nay-gh"):

ASHI -- ashi refers to the foot or leg. Most often used as ashi-waza or leg techniques or throws.

JUDOKA -- a judoka is a student of Judo.

JUDOGI -- the judogi is the heavy, reinforced uniform worn during Judo practice.

KAKE -- kake is the actual application of a throw. Also see Kuzushi and Tsukuri.

KANSETSU -- kansetsu refers to a joint lock or locking.

KATA -- kata are a prearranged set of techniques, practiced to improve a student's technical expertise.

KODOKAN -- literaly the "place for the teaching of the way". The name of the first Judo dojo and still the name of the world headquarters in Tokyo.

KOSHI -- koshi (also goshi) refers to the hips, most often used as koshi- waza or hip techniques or throws.

KUZUSHI -- kusushi refers to the act of "unbalancing" you opponent. This concept is integral to all throws in Judo. Also see Kake and Tsukuri.

MATE -- mate is the signal to stop. Most often used to signal the end of randori and shiai, or to stop the contestants temporarily after they have gone out of bounds, etc.

NAGE -- nage refers to a throw or throwing.

NAGE-KOMI -- nage-komi is the term for practicing a throw in which you actually throw your partner. Also see uchi-komi.

OSAE -- osae refers to a pin or pinning.

OSAE-KOMI -- osae-komi is the term used by a referee in competition to signal that a contestant has his opponent in a pin.

RANDORI -- randori is the term for sparring.

SHIAI -- shiai is the term for a contest or tournament.

SHIME -- shime (also jime) refers to a choke or choking.

SORE-MADE -- sore-made is the command to stop used at the end of the practice session.

SUTEMI -- sutemi refers to sacrifice, most often used as sutemi-waza or sacrifice techniques or throws. Can be further divided into back sacrifice (ma-sutemi-waza) or side sacrifice (yoko-sutemi-waza) techniques.

TATAMI -- tatami are the mats or padding on which Judo is practiced. Traditionally they were constructed of rice straw, now they are more typically made of various types of foam padding often covered with canvas.

TE -- te refers to the hand, most often used as te-waza or hand techniques or throws.

TORI -- tori refers to the person performing the technique.

TSUKURI -- tsukuri is the action of "fitting in" for a throw. It is the body movement required to position oneself for the application of a technique. Also see Kake and Kuzushi.

UCHI-KOMI -- uchi-komi is the term for practicing a throw, without actually completing the technique. In other words unbalancing your partner and fitting in without actually throwing them. Also see nage-komi.

UKE -- uke refers to the person being thrown, or on whom the technique is applied.

UKEMI -- ukemi refers to the skill of falling without getting hurt.

WAZA -- waza is most commonly translated as technique, and is often used in conjunction with descriptive terms (e.g., nage-waza = throwing techniques).

4 -- The Techniques of Judo

4.1 Throwing Techniques The throwing techniques of Judo are compiled in two lists of throws. The original list (compiled in 1895 and revised in 1920) is the Go-Kyu-No- Waza, or five sets of techniques. This list consists of 40 throws, divided into five sets of eight techniques. The second and newer list (compiled in 1982) is the Shinmeisho-No-Waza, the "other" or "new" techniques that consist of an additional 17 throws. Although there are other throwing techniques practiced in many Judo dojos, these two lists comprise the official "core" techniques of Kodokan Judo. Judo throwing techniques can also be divided into four separate categories; hand techniques, hip techniques, foot/leg techniques and sacrifice (back or side) techniques. Hand, hip and foot/leg techniques refer to throws in which the primary impetus or focus of the technique comes from the specified part of tori's body (of course in reality all three are often involved, and sometimes the choice of term can seem somewhat arbitrary). Sacrifice techniques are those in which tori himself falls to the ground in order to throw uke.

4.1.1 Go-Kyu-No-Waza

I

De-Ashi-Barai	Advanced Foot Sweep
Hiza-Guruma	Knee Wheel Throw
Sasae-Tsurikomi-Ashi	Propping-Drawing Ankle Throw
Uki-Goshi	Floating Hip Throw
O-Soto-Gari	Major Outer Reaping Throw
O-Goshi	Major Hip Throw
O-Uchi-Gari	Major Inner Reaping Throw
Ippon-seoi-Nage	One Arm Shoulder Throw

II

Ko-Soto-Gari	Minor Outer Reaping Throw
Ko-Uchi-Gari	Minor Inner Reaping Throw
Koshi-Guruma	Loin Wheel Throw
Tsurikomi-Goshi	Lifting Pulling Hip Throw
Okuri-Ashi-Barai	Sweeping Ankle Throw
Tai-Otoshi	Body Drop Throw
Harai-Goshi	Sweeping Loin Throw
Uchi-Mata	Inner Thigh Throw

III

Ko-Soto-Gake	Minor Outer Hook
Tsuri-Goshi	Lifting Hip Throw
Yoko-Otoshi	Side Body-Drop Throw
Ashi-Guruma	Leg Wheel Throw
Hane-Goshi	Springing Hip Throw
Harai-Tsurikomi-Ashi	Lifting Foot Sweep
Tomoe-Nage	Stomach Throw
Kata-Guruma	Shoulder Wheel Throw

IV

Sumi-Gaeshi	Corner Throw
Tani-Otoshi	Valley Drop Throw
Hane-Makikomi	Springing-Winding Throw
Sukui-Nage	Scoop Throw
Utsuri-Goshi	Switching Hip Throw
O-Guruma	Major Wheel Throw
Soto-Makikomi	Outer Winding Throw
Uki-Otoshi	Floating Drop

V

O-Soto-Guruma	Major Outer Wheel Throw
Uki-Waza	Floating Technique
Yoko-Wakare	Side Separation Throw
Yoko-Guruma	Side Wheel Throw
Ushiro-Goshi	Rear Hip Throw
Ura-Nage	Back Throw
Sumi-Otoshi	Corner Drop Throw
Yoko-Gake	Side Breaking Throw

4.1.2 Shinmeisho-no-Waza
                

4.2 Grappling Techniques

The grappling techniques of Judo can be divided into three groups; osae- waza or pinning techniques, kansetsu-waza or joint locking techniques, and shime-waza or choking techniques. The Judo grappling techniques are somewhat less well defined than the throwing techniques and there is no definitive list like for the throwing techniques. The following technique list is compiled primarily from the kata of Kodokan Judo, with some supplementation from other sources. Again, there are other techniques taught in most dojos, but these are the most common.

4.2.1 Pinning Techniques

Kesa-Gatame	Scarf Hold
Kuzuri-Kesa-Gatame	Modified (Broken) Scarf Hold
Ushiro-Kesa-Gatame	Reverse Scarf Hold
Kata-Gatame	Shoulder Hold
Kami-Shiho-Gatame	Upper Four Corner Hold
Kuzuri-Kami-Shiho-Gatame	Modified (Broken) Upper Four Corner Hold
Yoko-Shiho-Gatame	Side Four Corner Hold
Tate-Shiho-Gatame	Vertical Four Corner Hold
Kuzuri-Tate-Shiho-Gatame	Modified (Broken) Vertical Four Corner Hold

4.2.2 Joint Locks

Ude-Garame	Coil Armlock
Ude-Hishigi-Ashi-Gatame	Extended Arm Leg Armlock
Ude-Hishigi-Hara-Gatame	Extended Arm Stomach Armlock
Ude-Hishigi-Hiza-Gatame	Extended Arm Knee Armlock
Ude-Hishige-Juji-Gatame	Extended Arm Cross Armlock
Ude-Hishigi-Sankaku-Gatame	Extended Arm Triangular Armlock
Ude-Hishigi-Te-Gatame	Extended Arm Hand Armlock
Ude-Hishigi-Ude-Gatame	Extended Armlock
Ude-Hishigi-Waki-Gatame	Extended Arm Armpit Armlock
Kote-Gaeshi	Twisting Wrist Lock
Kote-Hinere	Turning Wrist Lock
Ashi-Garame	Entangle Leg Lock

4.2.3 Choking Techniques

Nami-Juji-Jime	Normal Cross Choke
Gyaku-Juji-Jime	Reverse Cross Choke
Kata-Juji-Jime	Half Cross Choke
Hadaka-Jime	Naked Choke
Okuri-Eri-Jime	Sliding Lapel Choke
Kataha-Jime	Single Wing Choke
Sode-Guruma-Jime	Sleeve Wheel Choke
Katate-Jime	Single Hand Choke
Ryote-Jime	Two Hand Choke
Tsukkomi-Jime	Thrust Choke
Sankaku-Jime	Triangular Choke

4.3 Striking Techniques

The striking techniques of Judo are even less well defined than the grappling techniques. The only place they are commonly found is in the kata, where they are combined with various throwing and grappling techniques. Since the primary emphasis of Judo is on throwing and grappling techniques, the striking techniques generally consist of simple low kicks and various basic open and closed handed strikes. The most common targets are the knee cap, shins and instep for kicks, and the face, sternum and crotch for hand strikes.

4.4 Resuscitation Techniques

Probably the most neglected area of Judo these days are the resuscitation, or kappo, techniques. These techniques represent a sort of "first-aid" for persons rendered unconscious or injured during training. Like most such techniques, they should not be practiced except after competent instruction by a qualified teacher.

5 -- Judo Competition

Competition, or shiai is the most visible and most popular aspect of Judo practice today. Tournaments range from small local events up to and including the international Olympic Games. Tournaments are generally divided in to classes based on both belt rank and weight. Typically, a Judo competition is held on a mat with a contest area 10 x 10 meters square having a three meter "safety zone" surrounding it. Matches last for three or five minutes, or until one contestant or the other has won either on points or a submission. Submissions are generally the result of either chokes or armlocks (the only type of joint locks permitted in competition), and are signaled by the loser "tapping out". A Judo match is otherwise decided by one full point (ippon), which can be achieved by either a perfectly executed throw, or the holding of one's opponent in a pin for 30 seconds. In addition, a contestant can accumulate half points (wazari) for almost perfect throws or holding one's opponent for less than the full thirty seconds. If neither contestant scores a full point, the contest will be decided on the basis of lesser scores for less well executed throws, or shorter pinning times. In addition to the scores for techniques, a contestant can be penalized for various reasons such as stalling or being excessively defensive, deliberately stepping out of bounds, unnecessary roughness, or employing an illegal technique.
In addition to shiai, Judo tournaments sometimes also include competitions in kata. Typically, the Nage, Katame, and Ju-no-kata (see "The Kata of Judo" below) are the only ones for which competitions are held, with points awarded by a panel of judges for technical execution.

6 -- The Kata of Judo

The three most commonly seen kata in Judo are the Nage-no-Kata or the kata of throws, Katame-no-Kata or grappling kata, and the Ju-no-Kata or kata of gentleness. The first two comprise the randori-no-kata, or kata of techniques that can be used in sparring and competition. The Nage-no- Kata consists of 15 different techniques, performed to both the left and right for a total of 30 throws. In the kata uke attacks tori with either a shove or an overhand blow, to which tori replies with the appropriate technique. The Katame-no-Kata consists of consists of 15 different techniques; five pins, five chokes and five joint locks. The entire kata is performed from a kneeling or laying position on the mat. The Ju-no-Kata also consists of 15 techniques, divided into three sets. This kata is intended to demonstrate and practice the principle of "ju" (gentleness or yielding) basic to Judo. Demonstration of the randori-no-kata is required for promotion to the lower dan ranks for both men and women. In addition, women are required to demonstrate the Ju-no-Kata. This is a hold over of the time when women were not allowed to take part in tournaments, and was intended to make up for the lack of competition experience on their part.
Following are a list of the katas practiced in Judo of which I am aware, along with a brief description of each. Note that the last eight of these are seldom seen (at least in this country) and few judoka seem to be familiar with them. Indeed, I have been able to find no information about the last two kata beyond their names.

*Nage-no-Kata -- The kata of throws. Includes examples of hand, hip, foot and sacrifice throws.

*Katame-no-Kata -- The kata of grappling. Includes examples of pins, chokes and joint locks.

*Ju-no-Kata -- The kata of gentleness. Includes a number of attacks and defenses demonstrating the efficient redirection of force and movement.

*Kime-no-Kata -- The original Judo self defense kata. Includes both standing and kneeling defense against empty handed, knife and sword attacks using strikes, chokes, joint locks and throws.

*Kodokan Goshinjutsu (or Goshinjutsu-no-Kata) -- The "modern" Kodokan self defense kata. Includes defense against empty handed, knife, stick (jo), and handgun attacks using strikes, joint locks and throws.

*Gonosen-no-Kata -- The kata of counters. Includes 12 counter throws for a number of common techniques.

*Itsutsu-no-Kata -- The kata of five principles. Is intended for the demonstration and practice of tai-sabaki (body movement) and the application and redirection of energy.

*Joshi Judo Goshinho -- The women's Judo self defense kata. Includes a number of escapes from holds and grabs, some basic striking techniques, and one throw.

*Seiroku-Zenyou Kokumin-Taiiku -- The national exercise based on the principles of maximum efficiency. Unusual for Judo in being a completely solo kata, includes a variety of striking and kicking techniques.

*Renkoho -- The kata of arresting techniques. Includes a number of control and submission holds useful in restraining criminals.

*Kimi-Shiki -- The kata of decision. Includes both kneeling and standing defenses against empty hands, knife and sword attacks. Stresses the use of body movement in responding to attacks.

*Koshiki-no-Kata -- The ancient kata. This kata is taken from Kito-ryu Jujutsu (see "The History of Judo", above) and demonstrates the techniques of kumiuchi or fighting while wearing armour (yoroi) and is intended to illustrate the ancient origins of Judo technique.

*Shobu-no-Kata -- The kata of attack or contest.

*Go-no-Kata -- The Kata of force or blows. Includes a variety of atemi- waza or striking techniques.

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