“Cool Like Kano” – What judo is to me
I have always been fascinated by the martial arts, but I never wanted to hurt anyone. I think that is why judo, which translates into “The Gentle Way”, appeals to me so much. Not just as a means to defend myself, but as a sport and way of life. The key principles of judo, “Seiryoku Zenyo” and “Jita Kyoei” or “maximum efficiency minimal effort” and “mutual welfare and benefit” define the sport, but is also a methodology on how you live your life (Tichenor).
Judo was created from the ancient samurai art of jujustu. Jujustu was widely practiced in Japan as a martial art and discipline, but lacked any form of organizational governing body or rules. It was taught by old masters that added their own styles and techniques, each of them being different. Dr. Jigoro Kano studied under many different masters in his childhood. He would find himself “at a loss” when noticing contradictions in teaching methods, and would wonder which technique was the correct way (Kano 16). Using the principles of maximum efficiency and modern sports, Kano created a new system using the most efficient and effective techniques while removing the most dangerous aspects. The result was Kodokan Judo, a safe and effective martial art and sport. After the Kodokan (which translates to “the school for studying the Way”) was established in 1882, judo quickly spread through Japan, and eventually replaced jujustu. In 1964 judo became a medal event in the Olympics (Cavalcanti).
I started judo at the ripe young age of 21. I wish I could have started it when I was younger, it would have been the perfect thing for me growing up. I was never really into team sports, which left me lacking in athletic ability, and led me into less constructive activities. When I started judo on a whim, I liked it immediately. The idea that a smaller person like myself could defeat a larger person was very appealing, as were the principles, and ultimate goal of practicing judo.
When Dr. Kano developed judo, he envisioned two principles, “Seiryoku Zenyo.” and “Jita Kyoei”. Every single technique in judo is designed with these principles in mind (Champy). The principle of Seiryoku Zenyo, or maximum efficiency minimal effort is most easily defined in judo by the principles of “kuzushi” or “breaking balance” and gentleness or giving way to your opponent. All techniques in judo require one to break the balance of their opponent in order to be executed effectively. Off balance is what makes it possible for a smaller, weaker person to throw a person with more size and power. Jigoro Kano explains the idea of giving way to your opponent like this:
If a man pushes me who’s strength is ten, and mine is 7, I will be knocked down even if I resist with all my strength. If I were to give way and withdraw my body and maintaining my balance, my opponent loses his balance. He is then weakened and unable to use all his strength. I am now stronger than my opponent (Kano 17).
Basically, in yielding, there is strength. From my own training, I have found that kuzushi cannot be applied at any time to your opponent. He applies kuzushi to himself, by moving. When he steps forward, backward, or side-to-side, he is off balance because he shifts his weight to one leg. The discipline in judo is to know when to capitalize on your opponents’ kuzushi. This is called “debana” or “moment of opportunity”. Realizing your opponents’ weakness, and seizing the debana to execute your own attack with minimal effort is I believe, what judo is all about. It is not just training your body to have the motor skills to move effectively, but training your mind to realize opportunities and take them with perfect timing (Mifune 45). From my research I have realized that this is what Champy-Sensei drills into use every judo class. I think this concept is most easily realized from Ashi-waza techniques (foot techniques) where timing is everything. If a person steps forward with one foot, I could easily throw them by hooking my foot behind their heel, and continue to guide their foot forward. They fall, and I have used hardly any energy. The trick to that is timing; I have to read my opponent’s move and react to it, and place my foot in position before they can put weight on it, and regain their balance. This is applying maximum efficiency or Seiryoku Zenyo in judo.
Judo is designed around the principle of Seiryoku Zenyo, but it is also an excellent principle on how to live your life, and applicable in every action you take. A simple example of Seiryoku Zenyo is driving a car in a fuel-efficient manner. In a deeper respect I think living by this principle is a way of self-improvement, or self-perfection. It encourages being in harmony with yourself, with others and with your environment. It discourages things like anger, because anger is a waste of energy. Although if someone were to live strictly by Seiryoku Zenyo, their actions could be seen as cold and selfish. That is why Kano created the second principle of judo, Jita Kyoei, or mutual welfare and benefit. It is not always efficient to yourself to do something that would benefit everyone, but is vital in improving yourself as a person and citizen, which Jigoro Kano envisioned being the higher purpose of judo.
Judo is the most effective use of the body and spirit. Judo training is to practice attack and defense to strengthen one’s own body and spirit, and is the realization of the essence of Judo. From this, one is perfected and becomes a person to benefit society. This is the ideal purpose of Judo training (Oimatsu).
That quote really summarizes how I feel about my personal experience with judo. Practicing judo regularly and with earnest makes me a better person. It takes a lot of dedication to stick with it. This develops responsibility, and improves character.
I probably wouldn’t have stuck with it if it weren’t for my instructor, Bob Champy and his “Don’t worry about it!” attitude and style of teaching. It gives me something to strive for, and to help out my fellow judoka as well. We always watch out for each other, and the goal is never to injure your fellow player. I think that’s what I like most about judo, because I don’t really like getting hurt, and I don’t like hurting other people. It is mutual welfare and benefit.
In addition to the key principles of judo, Dr. Kano created three pillars of learning and practicing judo. These are kata, randori, and shiai. Kata, which means, “form”, is a series of prearranged fighting movements that include “throwing, holding, kicking, hitting, slashing and a number of other techniques” (Kano 21). They are used as a system of self-defense, and are practiced in strict form so no one gets injured. Randori, or “free practice” or more commonly known as sparring, is where partners practice their techniques on each other like in a competition. Randori is where you practice your technique, and get an understanding of the principles of kuzushi, debana, and how your throwing technique works. The point is not to win, lose, or hurt your opponent, but to learn, and to help your partner learn. It is a very positive and cooperative environment. The movements of your partner train you to recognize debana, so you know when to use your technique effectively.
The final pillar of judo is shiai, or competition. In shiai a judoka would be matched against a fully resisting opponent that wants to win. This was designed to be a test of a judokas education and understanding of the principles of judo. These three piers of learning; knowledge (kata), practice (randori), and testing (shiai) are not only effective for learning judo, but methodology of learning that can be applied to other aspects of life. While competing in judo is not mandatory, as many judoka do not choose to compete, I believe it is essential for the improvement of judo, and the improvement of one’s self.
The first time I competed in shiai I was so nervous and tense I forgot everything. I was a beginner (and still am) so I did not have much confidence in my skills. All I know is that I couldn’t think, my heart was pounding, and I was so out of breath after two minutes I didn’t think I could go on. The toll that stress takes on the body was amazing to me. I lost all my matches but at the end my sensei was able to point out a lot of things I did wrong. I couldn’t remember much of it myself. Bob assured me though that the more you compete, the more you get used to the stress, and the more you are able to relax. Being relaxed is essential to any sport, especially for judo. Although I lost my matches, I learned a lot and was glad for the experience. Fighting against a fully resisting opponent at full speed under stress is useful experience to have, especially if I ever find myself in a situation where I need to defend myself.
Judo has grown from its humble beginnings as a small dojo with a few students in 1882 to one of the most widely played sports in the world. Men’s judo was added as in Olympic event at the 1964 Olympic games. It was later added as a sport for women in 1988. With many different judoka competing from around the world, and winning medals at the Olympics for the world to see helped remove the stereotype of judo being Japanese-only. While judo has not taken off much in America, there are still Americans who compete, and sometimes win medals at the games.
Judo is many things for many different people; a way of life, a workout routine, a sport, or a means of self-defense. For me, it is all of these things. I think applying the principles of Kodokan Judo into your everyday life is a pretty good way to live. It creates a discipline to strive for self-perfection, and the confidence to you your mind and body are strong. Judo has taught me much in the short amount of time I have experienced it, and I still have much to learn.
Glossary of terms
Debana- moment of opportunity
Dojo- Training hall
Jita Kyoei- Mutual welfare and benefit
Judoka- a person that practices judo
Kata- Form
Kodokan- School of judo established by Jigoro Kano in 1882
Kuzushi- breaking balance
Seiryoku Zenyo- Maximum efficiency, minimal effort
Shiai- Competition
Randori- Free practice
Works Cited
Cavalcanti, Keo. “The History of Kodokan Judo.” Official Judo Information Site at JudoInfo.com. April 20, 2003. 18 Apr. 2009 <http://www.judoinfo.com/jhist.htm>.
Champy, Bob. “Interview with Champy-Sensei.” Personal interview. 16 Apr. 2009.
Kano, Jigoro. Kodokan judo. Tokyo: Kodansha International, Kodansha International/USA, Distributed through Harper & Row, 1986.
Mifune, Kyuzo. The Canon of Judo. Tokyo: Seibundo-Shinkosha, 1958.
Oimatsu, Shinichi. “The Way of Seiryoku Zenyo–Jita Kyoei in Judo.” Official Judo Information Site at JudoInfo.com. February 21, 2004. 19 Apr. 2009 <http://judoinfo.com/seiryoku2.htm>.
Tichenor, Clyde. “The Philosophy of Judo.” 18 Apr. 2009.
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Shinzan Dojo is a New Hampshire Judo Club led by Bob Champy. Nestled in the mountains, our Dojo offers a "one of a kind" experience. Judo players from all of New England claim we have the best mat thanks to Bob's custom design and build. We welcome all to our "low amenity" Dojo to workout and learn Judo.
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A very complete essay!
Randori and shiai after a time result un automatic responses of defense and offense. This is its ultimate reward. It is permanent in response to combat or falling. 64 years of martial arts (yodan-judo/rokudan-jujutsu) practice has remained at 85. Incidentlly judo is the 2nd most practiced sport worldwide (not in the US-alas). Soccer is first worldwide.
REGARDS- CLT
A very complete essay!
Randori and shiai after a time result in automatic responses of defense and offense. This is its ultimate reward. It is permanent in response to combat or falling. 64 years of martial arts (yodan-judo/rokudan-jujutsu) practice has remained at 85. Incidentlly judo is the 2nd most practiced sport worldwide (not in the US-alas). Soccer is first worldwide.
REGARDS- CLT