Judo
Judo is a Japanese martial art based on grappling, choking, locking and throwing your opponent to the floor. Strikes and defence against weapons are also included in the art, but only in forms (kata) and not in free practice.
Judo translates into English as "the gentle way".
Origins
Judo was founded in 1882 by Jigoro Kano (1860-1938). Kano originally trained in Ju Jitsu in his youth in Japan, but over the years he refined what he had learnt into what is now known as Judo. In 1882 Kano founded a school and dojo, and Judo was born.
Kano's philosophy was seiryoku zen'yō (精力善用, maximum efficiency, minimum effort) and jita kyōei (自他共栄, mutual welfare and benefit).
Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964 (Tokyo). However, the first time Judo was seen at the Olympics was in 1932, when Kano himself gave a demonstration.
Judo Terms
Randori: It's meaning is literally "random chaos" but it means "free practice".
Kata: Meaning forms, Kata are pre-arranged patterns of techniques. Almost of Judo is practiced with a partner.
Weapons
Defence against weapons is taught in many Judo schools around the world (varies by school and by instructor), including:
- Bottles
- Knives
- Katana
- Bokken
- Bo Staff
Author: The Bear Martial Arts Team
