History of Judo: Modern Judo is a kind of Jiu-Jitsu and has become one of the most well-liked martial arts in the world. It is still one of the most well-liked events and is represented at the Olympic level. Judo players specialise in taking down their opponents on the mat through throws, pins, joint locks, and chokes. While there are some parallels between the sport and wrestling, there are also some significant distinctions, such as the inability of players to hold the legs of their opponents.
The Samurai, a class of armoured Japanese warriors who employ Jiu-Jitsu strategies in battle, are linked to the history of Judo. Guns and other contemporary weaponry gradually replaced swords as the new norm for battle, consigning the Samurai to history books. Judo, which was created largely as a sport, gradually superseded Jiu-Jitsu as a result. Many of the Jiu-Jitsu methods employed by early practitioners might be preserved in this fashion. In the 20th century, Judo finally reached Brazil where it evolved into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a fighting system that emphasises the “Newaza” (ground combat) elements of Judo. The “Tachi-waza” (standing components) of grappling and control postures are given increased attention in contemporary judo.
The English translation of the Japanese term “Judo” is “gentle way”. It is categorised as a defensive martial art since it frequently entails leveraging an opponent’s power or force against them. To make the sport safer, certain Jiu-Jitsu manoeuvres including knee locks, kicks, and punches that were thought to be excessively hazardous were eliminated. High-ranking Judoka continue to practise several of these combat tactics called “Katas” (forms). The development of students’ self-assurance, humility, courage, honour, and respect for others and for others as well is one of the objectives of judo schools.
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The History Of Judo
Get to know the history of Judo. Dr. Jigoro Kano of Japan, who was born in 1860, is credited with creating modern judo as we know it. Kano learned Jiu-Jitsu under various teachers in his childhood and thought that martial arts were a means of learning to live in peace with others. The first principle of Judo, the greatest efficiency of physical and mental energy, was developed by Kano in his quest to discover concepts that would unite the methods he had learnt from his many instructors. According to Kano, only methods that didn’t necessitate expending a lot of mental or physical energy should be included in his system. According to his beliefs, martial artists should learn how to use the aggression and energy of their adversaries against them.
Judo is the name given to the set of methods he developed as a result of applying the first principle. Kano established his first “Kdkan” (school) in 1982 to promote his work. Jiu-Jitsu masters’ skills were fast being lost at the time due to the rise in popularity of contemporary sports, therefore Kano’s goal was not to replace Jiu-Jitsu with Judo but rather to establish a core style that all masters could utilise to maintain their art.
However, once Kano’s first school was founded, propaganda was spread that the new Kdkan Judo was better than the more established Jiu-Jitsu techniques. Judo’s first matchup with conventional Jiu-Jitsu techniques resulted from this at the Central Police Headquarters dojo in Japan.
Each camp was permitted to pick 15 competitors, and Kano chose his best athletes, who finished with 13 victories and two draws. The fact that the Jiu-Jitsu pupils were given preference under the tournament’s regulations was even more astonishing. As required by Judo regulations, opponents could not be thrown to the ground to win a fight. Instead, the only methods to win these fights were to knock your opponent out cold, make them submit, leave them too weak to continue fighting, or even murder them. Despite the harsh standards, Judo players won their first cross-style battle.
What Are the Techniques of Judo?
Three main sets of techniques—Atemi-waza (striking), Katame-waza (grappling), and Nage-waza (throwing techniques)—are the foundation of Kdkan Judo. Kit-ry, which may be divided into Tachi-waza (standing methods) and Sutemi-waza (sacrifice technique), is where the throwing techniques were formed. Te-waza (hand techniques), Ashi-waza (foot techniques), and Koshi-waza (hip techniques) are the standing techniques utilised in Kdkan Judo.
Judo uses the Ma-sutemi-waza (back sacrifice) and Yoko-sutemi-waza (side sacrifice) techniques for sacrifice. Tenjin Shin’y-ry served as the primary inspiration for the grappling and striking methods used in Kdkan Judo. Kansetsu-waza (joint locks), Shime-waza (chokes), and Osaekomi-waza (holds) are the three main grappling manoeuvres utilised.
Joint locks and chokes were only taught to experienced trainees in the early days of Judo. Advanced pupils were also supposed to master safe training techniques and how to revive choking victims.
Judo’s original hitting repertoire consisted of fists, elbows, fingers, knees, hand-edge attacks, and kicks. Only highly skilled Judoka were taught these moves. Techniques were organised into sets and taught in well-structured classes so that new ones could be introduced gradually as a Judoka’s abilities advanced. “Mudansha” (unranked pupils) and “Yudansha” (black belts) were the two categories of students. Each student’s rank served as a guide to their degree of proficiency and the skills they would be taught. To complete his martial art, Kano also included philosophy and a rigid code of conduct.
Everywhere they went, students were expected to set the bar high for morality and character. Suspension or expulsion from school would result from conduct that brought dishonour upon the institution.
Teaching Principles
In his dojo, Kano primarily employed the following four teaching techniques: “Katas” (predetermined forms), “Randori” (free practise), “Mondo” (question and answer sessions) and “Ko” (systematic lectures). Due to philosophical discussions between Kano and his pupils, Judo’s second tenet, “Jita-kyoei” (mutual benefit and prosperity), is born.
Kano believed that training Judo would teach students that prosperity for all people is the path to real, enduring growth and that individuals could not advance at the expense of others. Kano’s faith in this idea was so strong that he made the growth of the Judo sport his life’s work in order for students to ultimately comprehend the second principle on their own.
In 1899, Kano visited the Americas and Europe to spread the word about Judo. In 1938, he went to Cairo, Egypt to attend a meeting of the International Olympic Council and was successful in getting Tokyo selected for the 1940 Olympics. After the conference, he passed suddenly at the age of 78 while travelling back to Japan.
When 18 of the top Jiu-Jitsu ryus joined Kano’s system in the 20th century, the technical features of Judo gained their complete development. Judo was developed further before being formally included in the Olympic games in 1964, and it has remained a part of the competition ever since.
This is the full history of Judo. Let us know your views on this in the comment section below.
