The Japanese Martial Art of Judo

Judo is a modern Japanese martial art and OlympicJapanese word Judo can be translated as "gentle
sport. The Japanese word Judo means "gentle way."way." Its most memorable feature is its competitive
The object of Judo is to throw one's opponent to thecomponent. The object is to throw one's opponent to
ground, immobilize, or subdue one's opponent with athe ground, immobilize, or subdue one's opponent with
grappling maneuver. Or one can force a contestant toa grappling maneuver. Or one can force a contestant
submit by applying pressure in the form of a joint lockto submit by joint locking the elbow or by executing a
to the elbow or by executing a choke.choke.
Strikes and thrusts as well as weapons defenses areStrikes and thrusts as well as weapons defenses are
part of judo, but only in pre-arranged forms which arepart of judo, but only in pre-arranged forms which are
called Katas. Katas not permitted in judo competition orcalled Katas. Katas not permitted in judo competition or
free practice. This martial art originated in Japan in thefree practice. This martial art originated in Japan in the
late nineteenth century. Eventually, the philosophy andlate nineteenth century. Eventually, the philosophy and
successive pedagogy developed for judo became thesuccessive pedagogy developed for judo became the
model for just about all modern Eastern martial artsmodel for just about all modern Eastern martial arts
that developed from "traditional" colleges.that developed from "traditional" colleges.
The spread of Judo throughout the world has led on toThe spread of Judo throughout the world has led on to
the development of a number of offshoots like Sambothe development of a number of offshoots like Sambo
and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. The history of judo is inseparableand Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. The history of judo is inseparable
from that of its founder, the Japanese teacher Jigorofrom that of its founder, the Japanese teacher Jigoro
Kano. Kano was born into a wealthy Japanese family.Kano. Kano was born into a prosperous Japanese
Small and weak as a boy, he was sometimes pickedfamily.
on by bullies. He initially began studying the art ofSmall and weak as a boy, he was sometimes picked
Ju-Jitsu at the age of seventeen, but only met withon by bullies. He initially began studying the art of
minimal success. This was in part due to difficulties inJu-Jitsu at the age of seventeen, but only met with
finding a teacher who would take him on as a student.minimal success. This was in part due to difficulties in
When he went to school to analyze literature at thefinding a teacher who would take him on as a student.
age of 18, he continued his self-defense skills studies,When he went to school to analyze literature at the
ultimately gaining a referral to Fukuda Hachinosuke, aage of 18, he continued his self-defense skills studies,
master of the Tenjin Shin'yM-ryk.ultimately gaining a referral to Fukuda Hachinosuke, a
Fukuda Hachinosuke is alleged to have stressedmaster of the Tenjin Shin'y?-ry?.
strategy over formal exercise, sowing the seeds ofFukuda Hachinosuke is alleged to have stressed
Kano's stress of free practice in Judo training. Whilststrategy over formal exercise, sowing the seeds of
Judo includes a number of rolls, falls, throws, holdKano's stress of free practice in Judo training. Whilst
downs, chokes, joint-locks, and strikes, the first focus isJudo includes a number of rolls, falls, throws, hold
on throwing and groundwork.downs, chokes, joint-locks, and strikes, the first focus is
Throws are divided in 2 types, standing strategies andon throwing and groundwork.
sacrifice methodologies. Standing tactics are furtherThrows are divided in 2 types, standing strategies and
divided into hand strategies, hip methods, and foot andsacrifice methodologies. Standing tactics are further
leg systems. Sacrifice methods are split into those individed into hand strategies, hip methods, and foot and
which the thrower falls immediately backwards, andleg systems. Sacrifice methods are split into those in
those in which he falls onto his side.which the thrower falls immediately backwards, and
The ground fighting systems are split into attacksthose in which he falls onto his side.
against the joints or joint locks, strangleholds orThe ground fighting systems are split into attacks
chokeholds and holding or pinning methodologies. Aagainst the joints or joint locks, strangleholds or
sort of sparring is practiced in judo, known as randorichokeholds and holding or pinning methodologies. A
meaning "free practice". In randori, 2 adversaries maysort of sparring is practiced in judo, known as randori
attack one another with any judo throw or grapplingmeaning "free practice". In randori, 2 adversaries may
system. Striking methods like kicking and smacking,attack one another with any judo throw or grappling
with knife and sword systems are kept in the katasystem. Striking methods like kicking and smacking,
training.with knife and sword systems are kept in the kata
This form of instruction is generally reserved for highertraining.
ranking practitioners, but are banned in contest, andThis form of instruction is generally reserved for higher
often prohibited in randori for reasons of safety. Alsoranking practitioners, but are banned in contest, and
for reasons of safety, chokeholds, joint locking, and theoften prohibited in randori for reasons of safety. Also
sacrifice systems are subject to age or rank limitations.for reasons of safety, chokeholds, joint locking, and the
In the US many facilities require that one must besacrifice systems are subject to age or rank limitations.
thirteen or older to use choke holds, and sixteen orIn the US many facilities require that one must be
older to use arm locks. Judo remains a popular martialthirteen or older to use choke holds, and sixteen or
art with heavy influence on various other forms. Judoolder to use arm locks. Judo remains a popular martial
is a modern Japanese martial art and sport. Theart with heavy influence on various other forms.