Outer Eastern Martial Arts
Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate, Progressive Krav Maga & Reality Based Self Defence
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Judo and the Kodokan
 

redjudo.gif Eishoji Temple, the birthplace of Kodokan Judo

Judo is derived from Jujutsu. It was created by Professor Jigoro Kano who was born in Japan on October 28, 1860 and who died May 4, 1938 after a lifetime of promoting Judo. Mastering several styles of jujutsu including Kito-Ryu and Tenjin-Shinyo Ryu in his youth he began to develop his own system based on modern sports principles. In 1882 he founded the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo where he began teaching and which still is the international authority for Judo.
 

The name Judo was chosen because it means the "gentle or yielding way". Kano emphasized the larger educational value of training in attack and defense so that it could be a path or way of life that all people could participate in and benefit from. He eliminated some of the traditional jujutsu techniques and changed training methods so that most of the moves could be done with full force to create a decisive victory without injury. The popularity of Judo increased dramatically after a famous contest hosted by the Tokyo police in 1886 where the Judo team defeated the most well-known jujutsu school of the time. It then became a part of the Japanese physical education system and began its spread around the world. Dr. Kano, President of the University of Education, Tokyo, dedicated his life, studied these ancient martial art of Jujutsu and integrated what he considered to be the best of their techniques into what is now the modern sport of Judo.

Judo is many things to different people. It is a fun sport, an art, a discipline, a recreational or social activity, a fitness program, a means of self-defense or combat, and a way of life. It is all of these and more.

Judo was introduced into the Olympic Games in 1964 and is practiced by millions of people throughout the world today. People practice Judo to excel in competition, to stay in shape, to develop self-confidence, and for many other reasons. But most of all, people do Judo just for the fun of it.

Principles and Goals of Judo

Judo, which is translated as the "gentle way", teaches the principle of flexibility in the application of technique. This is the flexible or efficient use of balance, leverage, and movement in the performance of Judo throws and other skills. Skill, technique and timing, rather than the use of brute strength, are the essential ingredients for success in Judo. For example, in Judo classes you may learn how to give way, rather than use force, to overcome a stronger opponent.
 
 
 The principles of Judo, such as "Maximum Efficiency" and "Mutual Welfare and Benefit", can also be used in our dealings with others in life. The ultimate goal in Judo is to develop oneself to the maximum extent possible, always striving for perfection, so that you can contribute something of value to the world.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jigoro Kano
 

Kanō Jigorō (嘉納 治五郎, 28 October 1860 – 4 May 1938) was the founder of Judo. Judo was the first Japanese Martial Art to gain widespread international recognition, and the first to become an official Olympic Sport. Pedagogical innovations attributed to Kanō include the use of black and white belts, and the introduction of dan ranking to show the relative ranking between members of a martial art style. Well-known mottoes attributed to Kanō include "Maximum Efficiency with Minimum Effort" and "Mutual Welfare and Benefit."

In his professional life, Kanō was an educator. Important postings included serving as director of Primary Education for the Ministry of Education from 1898 to 1901, and as president of Tokyo Higher Normal School from 1901 until 1920. He played a key role in making Judo and Kendo part of the Japanese public school programs of the 1910s.

 
 
 
Please Note. 
 
We do not teach Judo, but Judo is an art that complements many other styles of martial arts, especially karate.Many of the Okinawan Karate masters were also Judo masters.
 
 
Listed below are a number of Judo throws (nage waza), many of which you will find in our training.
 
 
 Ashi Guruma, Leg Wheel
Ashi Guruma
 
        (Leg Wheel)
Deashi Harai, Forward Foot Sweep
Deashi Harai
 
             (Forward Foot Sweep)
 
 
 Hane Goshi, Spring Hip Throw
Hane Goshi

(Spring Hip Throw)

 
 
 Harai Goshi, Sweeping Hip Throw
Harai Tsurikomi Ashi

(Sweeping Hip Throw)

     Ippon Seoinage, One Arm Shoulder Throw

  • Ippon Seoinage

    (One Arm Shoulder Throw)

  • Kibisu Gaeshi, Heel Trip Reversal
  • Kibisu Gaeshi

    (Heel Trip Reversal)

  • Kosoto Gari, Small Outside Reap
  • Kosoto Gari

    (Small  Outside Reap)


  • Morote Gari






 
Morote Gari
 

(Two Hand Reaping)

  • Osoto Gari, Large Outer Reap
  • Osoto Gari

    (Large Outer Reaping)

    Sukui Nage
    • Sukui Nage

      (Scoop Throw)

    • Tomoe Nage, Circle Throw
    • Tomoe Nage

      (Circle Throw)



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