Judo (Japanese:柔道,Hepburn:Jūdō,lit.'gentle way') is an unarmedmodern Japanese martial art,combat sport, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form ofjacket wrestling competed internationally.[3][4][5] Judo was created in 1882 byKanō Jigorō (嘉納 治五郎) as an eclectic martial art, distinguishing itself from its predecessors (primarilyTenjin Shinyo-ryu jujutsu andKitō-ryū jujutsu) due to an emphasis on "randori" (乱取り, lit. 'free sparring') instead ofkata (形,kata, pre-arranged forms) alongside its removal of striking and weapon training elements.[3][4][6] Judo rose to prominence for its dominance overestablished jujutsu schools in tournaments hosted by theTokyo Metropolitan Police Department (警視庁武術大会,Keishicho Bujutsu Taikai), resulting in its adoption as the department's primary martial art.[4][3] A judo practitioner is called a "judoka" (柔道家,jūdōka), and the judo uniform is called "judogi" (柔道着,jūdōgi,lit.'judo attire').
The objective of competitive judo is tothrow an opponent, immobilize them with apin, or force an opponent to submit with ajoint lock or achoke. Whilestrikes and use of weapons are included in some pre-arranged forms (kata), they are not frequently trained and are illegal in judo competition or free practice.[4] Judo's international governing body is theInternational Judo Federation, and competitors compete in the international IJF professional circuit.
Judo's philosophy revolves around two primary principles: "Seiryoku-Zenyo" (精力善用,lit.'good use of energy') and "Jita-Kyoei" (自他共栄,lit.'mutual welfare and benefit').[4][7][8][9][10] The philosophy and subsequent pedagogy developed for judo became the model for other modern Japanese martial arts that developed fromKo-ryū. Judo has also spawned a number of derivative martial arts around the world, such asBrazilian jiu-jitsu,Krav Maga,sambo, andARB. Judo also influenced the formation of other combat styles such asclose-quarters combat (CQC),mixed martial arts (MMA),shoot wrestling andsubmission wrestling.
The early history of judo is inseparable from its founder,Japanesepolymath and educatorKanō Jigorō (嘉納 治五郎, Jigoro Kano, 1860–1938), bornShinnosuke Jigorō (新之助 治五郎, Jigorō Shinnosuke). Kano was born into a relatively affluent family. His father, Jirosaku, was the second son of the head priest of theShintoHiyoshi shrine inShiga Prefecture. He married Sadako Kano, daughter of the owner of Kiku-Masamune sake brewing company and was adopted by the family, changing his name to Kano. He ultimately became an official in theShogunate government.[11]
Jigoro Kano had an academic upbringing and, from the age of seven, he studied English,shodō (書道,Japanese calligraphy) and theFour Confucian Texts (四書,Shisho) under a number of tutors.[12] When he was fourteen, Kano began boarding at an English-medium school, Ikuei-Gijuku inShiba, Tokyo. The culture ofbullying endemic at this school was the catalyst that caused Kano to seek out aJūjutsu (柔術,Jujutsu)dōjō (道場,dōjō, training place) at which to train.[12]
Early attempts to find a jujutsu teacher who was willing to take him on met with little success. Jujutsu had become unfashionable in an increasinglywesternized Japan. Many of those who had once taught the art had been forced out of teaching or become so disillusioned with it that they had simply given up. Nakai Umenari, an acquaintance of Kanō's father and a former soldier, agreed to show himkata, but not to teach him. The caretaker of Jirosaku's second house, Katagiri Ryuji, also knew jujutsu, but would not teach it as he believed it was no longer of practical use. Another frequent visitor, Imai Genshiro ofKyushin-ryū school of jujutsu, also refused.[13] Several years passed before he finally found a willing teacher.[13]
In 1877, as a student at theUniversity of Tokyo, Kano learned that many jujutsu teachers had been forced to pursue alternative careers, frequently openingSeikotsu-in (整骨院, traditional osteopathy practices).[14] After inquiring at a number of these, Kano was referred to Fukuda Hachinosuke (c. 1828–1880),[15] a teacher of theTenjin Shin'yō-ryū of jujutsu, who had a small nine matdōjō where he taught five students.[16] Fukuda is said to have emphasized technique over formal exercise, sowing the seeds of Kano's emphasis onrandori (乱取り,randori, free practice) in judo.
On Fukuda's death in 1880, Kano, who had become his keenest and most able student in bothrandori andkata, was given thedensho (伝書, scrolls) of the Fukuda dōjō.[17] Kano chose to continue his studies at anotherTenjin Shin'yō-ryū school, that of Iso Masatomo (c. 1820–1881). Iso placed more emphasis on the practice of "kata", and entrustedrandori instruction to assistants, increasingly to Kano.[18] Iso died in June 1881 and Kano went on to study at the dōjō of Iikubo Tsunetoshi (1835–1889) ofKitō-ryū (起倒流).[6] Like Fukuda, Iikubo placed much emphasis onrandori, withKitō-ryū having a greater focus onnage-waza (投げ技, throwing techniques).[19]
In February 1882, Kano founded a school and dōjō at theEisho-ji (永昌寺), aBuddhist temple in what was then the Shitaya ward of Tokyo (now the Higashi Ueno district ofTaitō ward).[20] Iikubo, Kano'sKitō-ryū instructor, attended the dōjō three days a week to help teach and, although two years would pass before the temple would be called by the nameKōdōkan (講道館,Kodokan, "place for expounding the way"), and Kano had not yet received hisMenkyo (免許, certificate of mastery) inKitō-ryū, this is now regarded as the Kodokan founding.
TheEisho-ji dōjō was originallyshoin. It was a relatively small affair, consisting of a 12jo[21] (214 sq ft) training area. Kano took in resident and non-resident students, the first two beingTomita Tsunejirō andShiro Saigo.[22] In August, the following year, the pair were grantedshodan (初段, first rank) grades, the first that had been awarded in any martial art.[23]
Central to Kano's vision for judo were the principles ofseiryoku zen'yō (精力善用, maximum efficiency, minimum effort) andjita kyōei (自他共栄, mutual welfare and benefit). He illustrated the application ofseiryoku zen'yō with the concept ofjū yoku gō o seisu (柔能く剛を制す - 柔能剛制, softness controls hardness):
In short, resisting a more powerful opponent will result in your defeat, whilst adjusting to and evading your opponent's attack will cause him to lose his balance, his power will be reduced, and you will defeat him. This can apply whatever the relative values of power, thus making it possible for weaker opponents to beat significantly stronger ones. This is the theory ofju yoku go o seisu.[24]
Kano realised thatseiryoku zen'yō, initially conceived as a jujutsu concept, had a wider philosophical application. Coupled with theConfucianist-influencedjita kyōei, the wider application shaped the development of judo from abujutsu (武術, martial art) to abudō (武道, martial way). Kano rejected techniques that did not conform to these principles and emphasized the importance of efficiency in the execution of techniques. He was convinced that practice of jujutsu while conforming to these ideals was a route to self-improvement and the betterment of society in general.[25] He was, however, acutely conscious of the Japanese public's negative perception of jujutsu:
At the time a few bujitsu (martial arts) experts still existed but bujitsu was almost abandoned by the nation at large. Even if I wanted to teach jujitsu most people had now stopped thinking about it. So I thought it better to teach under a different name principally because my objectives were much wider than jujitsu.[26]
Kano believed that "jūjutsu" was insufficient to describe his art: althoughjutsu (術) means "art" or "means", it implies a method consisting of a collection of physical techniques. Accordingly, he changed the second character todō (道), meaning "way", "road" or "path", which implies a more philosophical context thanjutsu and has a common origin with the Chinese concept oftao. Thus Kano renamed itJūdō (柔道, judo).[27]
There are three basic categories ofwaza (技, techniques) in judo:nage-waza (投げ技, throwing techniques),katame-waza (固技, grappling techniques) andatemi-waza (当て身技, striking techniques).[28] Judo is mostly known fornage-waza andkatame-waza.[29]
Judo practitioners typically devote a portion of each practice session toukemi (受け身, break-falls), in order thatnage-waza can be practiced without significant risk of injury. Several distinct types ofukemi exist, includingushiro ukemi (後ろ受身, rear breakfalls);yoko ukemi (横受け身, side breakfalls);mae ukemi (前受け身, front breakfalls); andzenpo kaiten ukemi (前方回転受身, rolling breakfalls)[30]
The person who performs aWaza is known astori (取り, literally "taker") and the person to whom it is performed is known asuke (受け, "receiver").[31]
Nage-waza include all techniques in whichtori attempts to throw or tripuke, usually with the aim of placinguke on their back. Each technique has three distinct stages:
Kuzushi (崩し): the opponent becoming off balanced;[32]
Tsukuri (作り): turning in and fitting into the throw;[33]
Kake (掛け): execution and completion of the throw.[33]
Nage-waza are typically drilled by the use ofuchi-komi (内込), repeated turning-in, taking the throw up to the point ofkake.[34]
Traditionally,nage-waza are further categorised intotachi-waza (立ち技, standing techniques), throws that are performed withtori maintaining an upright position, andsutemi-waza (捨身技, sacrifice techniques), throws in whichtori sacrifices his upright position in order to throwuke.[35]
Tachi-waza are further subdivided intote-waza (手技, hand techniques),[36] in whichtori predominantly uses their arms to throwuke;koshi-waza (腰技, hip techniques)[37] throws that predominantly use a lifting motion from the hips; andashi-waza (足技, foot and leg techniques),[38] throws in whichtori predominantly utilises their legs.[35]
Katame-waza is further categorised intoosaekomi-waza (抑込技, holding techniques), in whichtori traps and pinsuke on their back on the floor;shime-waza (絞技, strangulation techniques), in whichtori attempts to force a submission by choking or stranglinguke; andkansetsu-waza (関節技, joint techniques), in whichtori attempts to submituke by painful manipulation of their joints.[39]
A related concept is that ofne-waza (寝技, prone techniques), in whichwaza are applied from a non-standing position.[40]
In competitive judo,Kansetsu-waza is currently limited to elbow joint manipulation.[41] Manipulation and locking of other joints can be found in various kata, such asKatame-no-kata andKodokan goshin jutsu.[42]
Judo pedagogy emphasizes randori (乱取り, literally "taking chaos", but meaning "free practice"). This term covers a variety of forms of practice, and the intensity at which it is carried out varies depending on intent and the level of expertise of the participants. At one extreme, is a compliant style of randori, known asYakusoku geiko (約束稽古, prearranged practice), in which neither participant offers resistance to their partner's attempts to throw. A related concept is that ofSute geiko (捨稽古, throw-away practice), in which an experienced judoka allows himself to be thrown by his less-experienced partner.[44] At the opposite extreme fromyakusoku geiko is the hard style of randori that seeks to emulate the style of judo seen in competition. While hard randori is the cornerstone of judo, over-emphasis of the competitive aspect is seen as undesirable by traditionalists if the intent of the randori is to "win" rather than to learn.[45]
Kata (形, kata, forms) are pre-arranged patterns of techniques and in judo, with the exception of elements of theSeiryoku-Zen'yō Kokumin-Taiiku, they are all practised with a partner. Their purposes include illustrating the basic principles of judo, demonstrating the correct execution of a technique, teaching the philosophical tenets upon which judo is based, allowing for the practice of techniques that are not allowed in randori, and to preserve ancient techniques that are historically important but are no longer used in contemporary judo.[46]
There are ten kata that are recognized by the Kodokan today:[47]
Randori-no-kata (乱取りの形, Free practice forms), comprising two kata:
Nage-no-kata (投の形, Forms of throwing) Fifteen throws, practiced both left- and right-handed, three each from the five categories ofnage waza:te waza,koshi waza,ashi waza,ma sutemi waza andyoko sutemi waza.[48]
Katame-no-kata (固の形, Forms of grappling or holding). Fifteen techniques in three sets of five, illustrating the three categories ofkatame waza:osaekomi waza,shime waza andkansetsu waza.[49]
Kime-no-kata (極の形, Forms of decisiveness). Twenty techniques, illustrating the principles of defence in a combat situation, performed from kneeling and standing positions. Attacks are made unarmed and armed with a dagger and a sword. This kata utilisesatemi waza, striking techniques, that are forbidden in randori.[50]
Kōdōkan goshinjutsu (講道館護身術, Kodokan skills of self-defence). The most recent recognised kata, comprising twenty-one techniques of defence against attack from an unarmed assailant and one armed with a knife, stick and pistol. This kata incorporates various jujutsu techniques such as wrist locks andatemi waza.[51]
Jū-no-kata (柔の形, Forms of gentleness & flexibility). Fifteen techniques, arranged in three sets of five, demonstrating the principle ofJū and its correct use in offence and defence.[52]
Gō-no-kata (剛の形, Forms of force). One of the oldest kata, comprising ten forms that illustrate the efficient use of force and resistance. Now rarely practiced.[53]
Itsutsu-no-kata (五の形, The five forms). An advanced kata, illustrating the principle ofseiryoku zen'yō and the movements of the universe.[54] The kata predates the creation of Kodokan and originated inTenjin Shinyō-ryū.[55]
Koshiki-no-kata (古式の形, Traditional forms). Derived fromKitō-ryū Jujutsu, this kata was originally intended to be performed wearing armour. Kano chose to preserve it as it embodied the principles of judo.[56]
Seiryoku Zen'yō Kokumin Taiiku (精力善用国家体育, Maximum-efficiency national physical education). A series of exercises designed to develop the physique for judo.[57]
Joshi-goshinhō (女子護身法, Methods of self-defence for women). An exercise completed in 1943, and of which the development was ordered byJirō Nangō, the second Kodokan president.[58]
In addition, there are a number of commonly practiced kata that are not recognised by the Kodokan. Some of the more common kata include:
Go-no-sen-no-kata (後の先の形) A "kata" of pre-emptive counter techniques that some claim has a heritage fromWaseda University inTokyo. The form is little more than standard counters, bookended by some protocol. Moreover, there is no universal standard nor accepted reference text. The exercise is unknown of in Japan, and was popularised in the West byMikinosuke Kawaishi.[59]
Contest (試合,shiai) is a vitally important aspect of judo. In 1899, Kano was asked to chair a committee of theDai Nippon Butoku Kai to draw up the first formal set of contest rules for jujutsu. These rules were intended to cover contests between different various traditional schools of jujutsu as well as practitioners of Kodokan judo. Contests were 15 minutes long and were judged on the basis ofnage waza andkatame waza, excludingatemi waza. Wins were by two ippons, awarded in every four-main different path of winning alternatives, by "Throwing", where the opponent's back strikes flat onto the mat with sufficient force, by "Pinning" them on their back for a "sufficient" amount of time, or by "Submission", which could be achieved viaShime-waza orKansetsu-waza, in which the opponent was forced to give himself or herself up or summon a referee's or corner-judge's stoppage. Finger, toe and ankle locks were prohibited.[64] In 1900, these rules were adopted by the Kodokan with amendments made to prohibit all joint locks forkyu grades and added wrist locks to the prohibitedkansetsu-waza fordan grades. It was also stated that the ratio oftachi-waza tone-waza should be between 70% and 80% forkyu grades and between 60% and 70% fordan grades.[64]
In 1916, additional rulings were brought in to further limitkansetsu waza with the prohibition ofashi garami and neck locks, as well asdo jime.[65] These were further added to in 1925.
Jigoro Kano for a long time wished to see judo as anOlympic discipline.[66] The first time judo was seen in theOlympic Games was in an informal demonstration hosted by Kano at the1932 Games.[67] However, Kano was ambivalent about judo's potential inclusion as an Olympic sport:
I have been asked by people of various sections as to the wisdom and possibility of judo being introduced with other games and sports at the Olympic Games. My view on the matter, at present, is rather passive. If it be the desire of other member countries, I have no objection. But I do not feel inclined to take any initiative. For one thing, judo in reality is not a mere sport or game. I regard it as a principle of life, art and science. In fact, it is a means for personal cultural attainment. Only one of the forms of judo training, so-called randori or free practice can be classed as a form of sport. Certainly, to some extent, the same may be said of boxing and fencing, but today they are practiced and conducted as sports. Then the Olympic Games are so strongly flavored with nationalism that it is possible to be influenced by it and to develop "Contest Judo", a retrograde form as ju-jitsu was before the Kodokan was founded. Judo should be free as art and science from any external influences, political, national, racial, and financial or any other organized interest. And all things connected with it should be directed to its ultimate object, the "Benefit of Humanity". Human sacrifice is a matter of ancient history.[68]
At the 57thgeneral session of theInternational Olympic Committee, held inRome on 22 August 1960, the IOC members formally decided to include Judo among the events to be contested at the Olympic Games. The proposal, which was placed before the session by the Japanese delegation, was welcomed by all participants. The few who opposed had nothing against Judo itself but against increasing the number of Olympic events as a whole. There were only two dissenting votes in the final poll. For the first time in history a traditional Japanese sport has been included in the Olympic competition.[69]
Judo was an optional sport included in the three editions of theCommonwealth Games:1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland,2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. From 2022, judo will become a core sport in the 22nd edition of the Commonwealth Games, in Birmingham and also the 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Penalties may be given for: passivity or preventing progress in the match; for safety infringements (for example by using prohibited techniques), or for behavior that is deemed to be against the spirit of judo. Fighting must be stopped if a participant is outside the designated area on the mat.[71]
A throw that places the opponent on their back with impetus and control scores an ippon (一本), winning the contest.[72] A lesser throw, where the opponent is thrown onto his back, but with insufficient force to merit an ippon, scores a waza-ari (技あり).[72] Two scores of waza-ari equal an ipponwaza-ari awasete ippon (技あり合わせて一本, ). This rule was cancelled in 2017, but it was resumed in 2018. Formerly, a throw that places the opponent onto his side scores a yuko (有効).[72]
In 2017, theInternational Judo Federation announced changes in evaluation of points. There will only be ippon and waza-ari scores given during a match with yuko scores now included within waza-ari.[73]
Ippon is scored inne-waza for pinning an opponent on his back with a recognisedosaekomi-waza for 20 seconds or by forcing a submission throughshime-waza orkansetsu-waza.[72] A submission is signalled by tapping the mat or the opponent at least twice with the hand or foot, or by saying maitta (まいった, I surrender).[72] A pin lasting for less than 20 seconds, but more than 10 seconds scores waza-ari (formerly waza-ari was awarded for holds of longer than 15 seconds and yuko for holds of longer than 10 seconds).[72]
Formerly, there was an additional score that was lesser to yuko, that of Koka (効果).[72] This has since been removed.[74][75]
If the scores are identical at the end of the match, the contest is resolved by theGolden Score rule.Golden Score is asudden death situation where the clock is reset to match-time, and the first contestant to achieve any score wins. If there is no score during this period, then the winner is decided by Hantei (判定), the majority opinion of the referee and the two corner judges.[76]
There have been changes to the scoring. In January 2013, the Hantei was removed and the "Golden Score" no longer has a time limit. The match would continue until a judoka scored through a technique or if the opponent is penalised (Hansoku-make).
Two types of penalties may be awarded. A shido (指導 – literally "guidance") is awarded for minor rule infringements. A shido can also be awarded for a prolonged period of non-aggression. Recent rule changes allow for the first shidos to result in only warnings. If there is a tie, then and only then, will the number of shidos (if less than three) be used to determine the winner. After three shidos are given, the victory is given to the opponent, constituting an indirect hansoku-make (反則負け – literally "foul-play defeat"), but does not result in expulsion from the tournament. Note: Prior to 2017, the 4th shido was hansoku-make. If hansoku-make is awarded for a major rule infringement, it results not just in loss of the match, but in the expulsion from the tournament of the penalized player.
Kano Jigoro's Kodokan judo is the most popular and well-known style of judo, but is not the only one. The terms judo and jujutsu were quite interchangeable in the early years, so some of these forms of judo are still known as jujutsu or jiu-jitsu either for that reason, or simply to differentiate them from mainstream judo. From Kano's original style of judo, several related forms have evolved—some now widely considered to be
Commonly described as a separate style of Judo, Kosen judo is a competition rules set of Kodokan judo that was popularized in the early 20th century for use in Japanese Special High Schools Championships held at Kyoto Imperial University.[82] The word "Kosen" is an acronym of Koto Senmon Gakko (高等専門学校, literally "Higher Professional School"). Currently, competitions are organized between Japan's sevenformer Imperial Universities and referred to asNanatei Judo (ja:七帝柔道, literally "Seven Emperors Judo"). Kosen judo's focus on newaza has drawn comparisons withBrazilian jiu-jitsu.
Freestyle Judo is a form of competitive judo practiced primarily in the United States that retains techniques that have been removed from mainstream IJF rules.[83] Freestyle Judo is currently backed by the International Freestyle Judo Alliance (IFJA). TheAmateur Athletic Union (AAU) officially sanctions Freestyle Judo in theUnited States of America.[84]
This distinctive style of judo was influenced by the Soviet martial art of Sambo. It is represented by well-known coaches such as Alexander Retuinskih and Igor Yakimov, and mixed martial arts fighters such as Fedor Emelianenko, Oleg Taktarov, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Karo Parisyan. In turn, Russian judo has influenced mainstream judo, with techniques such as the flying armbar being accepted into Kodokan judo.[87][88]
Cuban Judo is characterized by an explosive and high athletic style that puts an emphasis on body conditioning and calculated planning mixed with raw power.In terms of training the athletes use a particularly methodical and intellectual approach to the sport.[95][96]
Judo in Azerbaijan has developed over the years and has become deep rooted and considered a top sport in the country.It's very similar to Georgian Judo, as its mostly focused on the practitioner's strength during throws.It's a hybrid of the original Kodokan Judo and the traditional Azerbaijan style of wrestling called Azeri, whose techniques consist of unorthodox grips and positioning during counter-attacks.[97][98]
Judo has become a top sport in Israel only recently.Israeli Judo is characterized by a particular emphasis on hip throws, which are executed with a mix of technique and aggression, with the practitioner that has to adjust his sleeves before powerfully gripping and throwing the opponent away.[99][100]
Sambo is influenced by judo combined withwrestling techniques, and striking in case ofcombat sambo.Vasili Oshchepkov was one of the first European judo black belts under Kano. Oshchepkov went on to contribute his knowledge of judo as one of the three founders of Sambo, which also integrated various international andSoviet bloc wrestling styles and other combative techniques. Oshchepkov was executed during the politicalpurges of 1937 and judo was banned for decades until its inclusion in the1964 Olympics, where sambists won 4 bronze medals.[101] In theirHistory of Sambo, Brett Jacques and Scott Anderson wrote that in Russia "judo and SOMBO were considered to be the same thing"—albeit with a different uniform and some differences in the rules.[102]
Kano's vision for judo was one of a martial way that could be practiced realistically.Randori (free practice) was a central part of judo pedagogy and shiai (competition) a crucial test of a judoka's understanding of judo.[107] Safety necessitated some basic innovations that shaped judo's development. Atemi waza (striking techniques) were entirely limited to kata (prearranged forms) early in judo's history. Kansetsu waza (joint manipulation techniques) were limited to techniques that focused on the elbow joint. Various throwing techniques that were judged to be too dangerous to practice safely at full force, such as all joint-locking throws fromJujutsu, were also prohibited in shiai. To maximise safety in nage waza (throwing techniques), judoka trained inukemi (break falls) and practiced ontatami (rice straw mats).[citation needed]
The application of joint manipulation and strangulation/choking techniques is generally safe under controlled conditions typical of judo dōjō and in competition. It is usual for there to be age restrictions on the practice and application of these types of techniques, but the exact nature of these restrictions will vary from country to country and from organization to organization.
Safety in the practice of throwing techniques depends on the skill level of both tori and uke. Inexpertly applied throws have the potential to injure both tori and uke, for instance when tori compensates for poor technique by powering through the throw. Similarly, poor ukemi can result in injury, particularly from more powerful throws that uke lacks the skill to breakfall from. For these reasons, throws are normally taught in order of difficulty for both tori and uke. This is exemplified in theGokyo(五教, literally "five teachings"), a traditional grouping of throws arranged in order of difficulty of ukemi. Those grouped inDai ikkyo (第一教, literally "first teaching") are relatively simple to breakfall from whereas those grouped indai gokyo (第五教, literally "fifth teaching") are difficult to breakfall from.[citation needed]
Mental training is an emerging modality of training in judo that aims to improve the performance of high-performance athletes in training and competition and also to promote health and well-being in the daily life of athletes and their entourage through the learning and application of psychological skills. The first publication of a judo-specific practical mental training approach based on sports training principles was in 2005 with the work of Boris Blumenstein, Ronnie Lidor and Gershon Tenenbaum.[108] In 2022, Caio Gabriel published the first article on mental training that appeared in the scientific journal of theInternational Judo Federation, "The Arts and Sciences of Judo".[109]
A practitioner of judo is known as ajudoka (柔道家). The modern meaning of "judoka" in English is a judo practitioner of any level of expertise,[110] but traditionally those below the rank of 4thdan were calledkenkyu-sei (研究生, trainees); and only those of 4thdan or higher were calledjudoka. (The suffix-ka (家), when added to a noun, means a person with expertise or special knowledge on that subject).
A judo teacher is calledsensei (先生).[110] Traditionally, that title was reserved for instructors of 4thdan and above.[111]
The judogi is made from a heavy weave to withstand the stress of throwing and grappling.
Judo practitioners traditionally wear white uniforms calledkeikogi (稽古着,keikogi, practice clothing) orjūdōgi (柔道着,judogi, judo clothing)[112] sometimes abbreviated in the west as "gi". It comprises a heavy cottonkimono-like jacket called anuwagi (上衣, jacket), similar to traditionalhanten (半纏, workers' jackets) fastened by anobi (帯,obi, belt), coloured to indicaterank, and cotton draw-stringzubon (ズボン, trousers).[113] Early examples of keikogi had short sleeves and trouser legs and the modern long-sleeved judogi was adopted in 1906.[114]
The modern use of the blue judogi for high level competition was first suggested byAnton Geesink at the 1986 Maastricht IJF DC Meeting.[115] For competition, a blue judogi is worn by one of the two competitors for ease of distinction by judges, referees, and spectators. In Japan, both judoka use a white judogi and the traditional red obi (based on the colors of the Japanese flag) is affixed to the belt of one competitor. Outside Japan, a colored obi may also be used for convenience in minor competitions, the blue judogi only being mandatory at the regional or higher levels, depending on organization. Japanese practitioners and traditionalists tend to look down on the use of blue because judo is considered a pure sport, and replacing the pure white judogi with the impure blue is an offense.[115]
For events organized under the auspices of the International judo Federation (IJF), judogi have to bear the IJF Official Logo Mark Label. This label demonstrates that the judogi has passed a number of quality control tests to ensure it conforms to construction regulations ensuring it is not too stiff, flexible, rigid or slippery to allow the opponent to grip or to perform techniques.[116]
Judo is a hierarchical art, where seniority of judoka is designated by what is known as thekyū (級,kyū) -dan (段,dan) ranking system. This system was developed by Jigoro Kano and was based on the ranking system in the board gameGo.[118]
Beginning students progress through kyu grades towards dan grades.
A judoka's position within the kyu-dan ranking system is displayed by the color of their belt. Beginning students typically wear a white belt, progressing through descending kyu ranks until they are deemed to have achieved a level of competence sufficient to be a dan grade, at which point they wear thekuro obi (黒帯, black belt). The kyu-dan ranking system has since been widely adopted by modern martial arts.[119]
The highest black belt ranks have no formal requirements and are decided by the president of the Kodokan. Kano Jigoro's grandsonKano Yukimitsu served as the fourth president from 1980 until 2009. As an educator by profession, Kanō believed that there should be no end to an individual's learning, and therefore no limit to the number of dan ranks. As of 2011,fifteen Japanese men have been promoted tojūdan (十段, 10thdan) by the Kodokan;[119] the IJF and Western and Asian national federations have promoted another eleven who are not recognized at that level of rank by the Kodokan. On 28 July 2011, the promotion board of USA Judo awardedKeiko Fukuda the rank of 10thdan, who was the first woman to be promoted to judo's highest level, albeit not a Kodokan-recognized rank.
Althoughdan ranks tend to be consistent between national organizations there is more variation in thekyū grades, with some countries having morekyū grades. Although initiallykyū grade belt colours were uniformly white, today a variety of colours are used. The first black belts to denote adan rank in the 1880s, initially the wide obi was used; as practitioners trained inkimono, onlywhite and black obi were used. It was not until the early 1900s, after the introduction of thejudogi, that an expanded colored belt system of awarding rank was created.[119] Written accounts from the archives of London'sBudokwai judo club, founded in 1918, record the use of coloured judo belts at the 1926 9th annual Budokwai Display, and a list of ranked colored judokas appears in the Budokwai Committee Minutes of June 1927. Kawaishi visited London and the Budokwai in 1928, and was probably inspired to bring the coloured belt system to France.[120]
On October 28 of every year, the judo community celebrates the World Judo Day in the honor of the birth of Judo's founder, Jigoro Kano. The theme of the World Judo Day changes from year to year, but the goal is always to highlight the moral values of Judo. The first celebration was held in 2011.[121] Past themes for the celebration have included:
^Kano (2008) pp. 3–4; Hoare (2009) pp. 45–47; Fukuda (2004) pp. 145–152. Keiko Fukuda 9th Dan (born 1913) is the granddaughter of Fukuda Hachinosuke, and is the last surviving direct student of Kano:Davis, Simon."Be Strong, Be Gentle, Be Beautiful - Keiko Fukuda". United States Judo Federation. Archived fromthe original on March 8, 2011. RetrievedMarch 12, 2011.
^Hoare (2009) pp. 52–53. For location of Eisho-ji temple, see: "Way to Eisho-Ji Temple",Kodokan, archived fromthe original on March 11, 2011, retrievedMarch 14, 2011
^"Judo" had been used before then, as in the case of a jujutsu school that called itselfChokushin-ryū Jūdō (直信流柔道, Sometimes rendered as Jikishin-ryū Jūdō), but its use was rare.
^Numerous texts exist that describe thewaza of judo in detail. Daigo (2005); Inokuma and Sato (1987); Kano (1994); Mifune (2004); and Ohlenkamp (2006) are some of the better examples
^Blumenstein, Boris; Lidor, Ronnie; Tenenbaum, Gershon (2005). "Periodization and planning of psychological preparation in elite combat sport programs: The case of judo".International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology.3 (1):7–25.doi:10.1080/1612197X.2005.9671755.S2CID144190858.
^Gabriel, Caio (2022). "Towards Mental Training for Elite Judo Athletes".The Arts and Sciences of Judo.2 (2):18–21.
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De Crée, Carl (2015), "Kōdōkan jūdō's three orphaned forms of counter techniques – Part 3: The Katame-waza ura-no-kata ―"Forms of reversing controlling techniques"",Archives of Budo,11:155–174
De Crée, Carl (2012),The origin, inner essence, biomechanical fundamentals, and current teaching and performance anomalies of Kōdōkan jūdō's esoteric sixth kata: The Itsutsu-no-kata ―"Forms of five", Rome, Italy: University of Rome
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De Crée, Carl; Jones, Llyr C. (2011b), "Kōdōkan Jūdō's Inauspicious NinthKata: TheJoshi goshinhō - "Self-defense methods for females" - Part 2",Archives of Budo,7:125–137
De Crée, Carl; Jones, Llyr C. (2011c), "Kōdōkan Jūdō's Inauspicious NinthKata: TheJoshi goshinhō - "Self-defense methods for females" - Part 3",Archives of Budo,7:137–139
Fromm, Alan; Soames, Nicolas (1982),Judo - The Gentle Way, London: Routledge & Kegan Paul
Fukuda, Keiko (2004),Ju-No-Kata, Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books
Harrison, E. J. (1952),Manual of Judo, London: Foulsham
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