Dr. Jigoro Kano
(founder of Judo)

Judo is an art, an Olympic sport, a discipline, a recreational and social activity, a means of defense, and a way of life. Judo is best described as a grappling art which does not involve kicks and punches, but rather incorporates prominent throwing techniques. Ground work in the form of hold-downs and submissions such as strangles and arm locks are used as finishing techniques for semi-successful throws. Judo created the system of ranks, now used in most other martial arts, that recognize a person’s degree of knowledge, ability, and leadership. Judo ranks are identified by colored belts and ten degrees of advanced grades for black belts.

Judo was founded in Japan in the late 19th century and has since grown to be the most widely practiced martial art on earth, and an Olympic sport. The number of worldwide Judoka (Judo practitioners) ranks worldwide second only to soccer. The nature of the discipline is described by its name. Judo is comprised of the Japanese ideograms Ju (柔) meaning “gentle”, and Do (道) meaning “way” and teaches the principle of flexible or efficient use of balance, leverage, and movement in the application of technique. The primary principal of Judo is to employ technique rather than force; minimum effort, maximum efficiency.

Jigoro Kano (1860−1938), the founder of Judo, was only 90 lbs, and 5’2”. He was introduced to Jujitsu, with which Judo shares the ideogram Ju, as a discipline incorporating techniques by which a smaller person could overpower a larger opponent. Jigoro Kano began combining techniques from other disciplines, such as Sumo and Western wrestling with the foundation of Jujitsu. For example, Judo’s kataguruma (shoulder wheel) was adapted from the “fireman’s carry” of wrestling. Kano continued to invent 40 throws (27 more were later added) and various techniques, which, combined with some elements of Jujitsu, became Judo. Kano wrote in 1898,

“By taking together all the good points I had learned of the various schools and adding thereto my own inventions and discoveries, I devised a new system for physical culture and moral training as well as for winning contests.”

The art of Judo is multifaceted, consisting of rentai-ho (physical exercise), shobu-ho (Judo as a martial art), and shushin-ho (the cultivation of wisdom and virtue). The philosophy of Judo extends beyond the realm of a mere combat sport; Judo requires the channeling of physical and mental energy. While the process of executing techniques is important, winning a match is not the ultimate aim of Judo. Through training the body and the mind to the Do of Judo, the Judoka is conditioning to not only practice, but to live Judo. Jigoro Kano wrote,

“The ultimate objective of Judo discipline is to be utilized as a means to self-perfection, and thenceforth to make a positive contribution to society.”

For those who desire a test of their skill and training, Judo offers the opportunity of competition at all skill levels, from local and national events to major international tournaments and the Olympic Games. The two phases of combat in Judo are tachi-waza (standing) and ne-waza (ground). The practice of Judo aims to balance technique in both phases. In the standing phase, while some joint-lock and choke techniques are legal, they are difficult to execute and as such more often then not the opponents try to throw one another. Throwing techniques serve to disarm an opponent by taking them to the ground where they are less strong and less mobile. Further, once the opponent has been thrown, their body is likely shocked from the landing and the thrower is in the dominant position. The four components for the perfect throw are kuzushi (taking the opponent off balance), tsukuri (positioning one’s body to throw), kake (execution of the throw), and kime (the finish). A well-executed throw can win a match.

If the match is not ended with a well-executed throw, the match continues with the ground phase. On the ground, the opponents try to pin each other with osaekomi (hold-downs and pins). Holding the opponent in an osaekomi for 25 seconds wins the match. The 25-second rule is said to derive from the amount of time that it takes for a samurai to reach for their sword. An osaekomi of under 25 seconds, but over 10 will score. Shime-waza (chokes) and kansetsu-waza (joint-holds) are often used to try to make the opponent submit or “tap out,” which constitutes a win.

Judo has a strict set of rules that governs competitive play and ensures safety. There are separate weight divisions for men and women, as well as boys and girls. Strikes such as punches and kicks are not allowed. Leg-locks, wrist-locks, and spinal-locks are not allowed as forms of kanetsu-waza. While some Judoka are large and strong, Judo is founded on principals that enable a smaller opponent to overcome competitive hindrances that their size poses, so Judoka of all statures can be and are successful.

Those interested in more information about Judo can go to judoinfo.com, which has an overview of belt-advancement, tournament rules and regulations, and a comprehensive history of the sport.