Figure 1.--
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Figure 1.-- |
Judo is a fairly recent martial art compared with other martial art disciplines. It was developed by Dr. Jiguro Kano in 1882, when he founded his Japanese judo school, The Kodokan. The Kodokan still exists today and is considered the mother of all judo schools. Today, Kodokan judo, as developed by Kano, is the worldwide standard for sport and competition judo. Judo was derived from the ancient sport, or martial art of jujutso, which is still practiced in
Japan, as well as other parts of the world, although not nearly as popular as judo. Judo consists primarily of throwing techniques, or “nage waza”, but also includes techniques of grappling on the ground “osaewaza”, and choking techniques “shimewaza”. The art of judo is primarily practiced as a sport, but it is
also a highly effective self-defense technique. Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964, and a world governing body was organized, known as the International Judo Federation (IJF). Most judo matches are conducted under IJF rules.
Judo is a fairly recent martial art compared with other martial art disciplines. It was developed by Dr. Jiguro Kano in 1882, when he founded his Japanese judo school, The Kodokan. The Kodokan still exists today and is considered the mother of all judo schools. Today, Kodokan judo, as developed by Kano, is the worldwide standard for sport and competition judo. Judo was derived from the ancient sport, or martial art of jujutso, which is still practiced in
Japan, as well as other parts of the world, although not nearly as popular as judo.
Judo consists primarily of throwing techniques, or “nage waza”, but also includes techniques of grappling on the ground “osaewaza”, and choking techniques “shimewaza”. The art of judo is primarily practiced as a sport, but it is
also a highly effective self-defense technique.
Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964, and a world governing body was organized, known as the International Judo Federation (IJF). Most judo matches are conducted under IJF rules.
Kano developed a rating system to define the proficiency of his students. Originally it involved having only his highest ranked students wear a black belt, and everyone else wear a white belt. Today the ranking system has been
expanded to include several colors, but basically a student begins with a white belt and moves through 6 lower ranks, or “kyu” and wearing a brown belt in the top two ranks. When he or she is considered an expert, they are awarded a black belt and are know as a “dan”. There are ten degrees of black belt with the highest ratings being mostly honorary, and awarded for teaching and contribution to the sport. Most highly rated black belts that are still
competing in matches are 5th or 6th degree dans.
The judo uniform, or “gi” (officially called a “judogi”) consists of loose cotton ankle length trousers with a drawstring waist. The jacket is made from extremely heavy double and triple stitched cotton, and secured at the waist by a tied belt. The judogi is traditionally an off white color, but most of them I see today have been bleached to a pure white. In official competition, one contestant will wear a white judogi and the other a blue judogi, so that the judges can easily identify each contestant’s moves. The jacket has to be extremely strong and durable as many of the throws are made while gripping your opponent by his jacket. In fact, the matches begin with the contestants gripping each other by the jacket lapel and sleeve.
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