|
Back
to Main Index
|
Judo
Books and Resources Kodokan judo, was the original development of one man, Kano Jigoro. Sickly as a youth, Kano studied various old jujutsu styles to build up his strength. As Japan modernized at the turn of the 20th Century, he became an educator and sought to refashion old jujutsu into what he thought would be more scientific and pedagogically sound system of sport, fitness and discipline. Kano's efforts saved Japanese martial arts, which were falling into disrepute and ill favor next to Western sports exercises. Kano gathered many outstanding athletes and technicians at his school, including Yamashita, Saigo Shiro, Yokoyama, etc. He tried to include judo as an Olympic sport as early as before World War II, but died before seeing his dreams reach fruition. Judo was among the first of the modern "Do" or Martial Ways, and was among the first to be taught so openly and vigorously both in modern Japan and abroad in other countries, alongside kendo. The Kodokan, Kano's main judo headquarters, sent many top flight instructors to other countries. The postwar Occupation of Japan, in the end, actually benefited judo because when the ban on martial arts was lifted, hundreds if not thousands of foreign military personnel and foreign visitors ended up training at the Kodokan or its many branch and affiliate schools. Today, judo is an Olympic sport, and it has shed many things to get there, perhaps for the good, perhaps for the bad. Some older teachers decry the hunt for the medals and emphasis on winning, harping on the need for judo to retain some semblance of it being a martial art besides a sport. But it continues to be a popular Way. Judo incorporates open-ended contest and open training in which partners try to throw, pin, choke or arm bar each other. Strikes and percussive attacks are not allowed in randori matches or shiai tournament bouts so as to lessen chances of injury, but being able to dump someone on his behind...even if he doesn't want to be thrown, is still an incredible skill to have. Most of the older aikido instructors I know, in fact, had training in judo and/or kendo, so when they hold a sword or do a throw, they have come from the school of hard knocks and know what it really means. Of late, grappling martial arts have become popular. In my own opinion, this is quite interesting, because most of what is seen in the West are basically derivatives of Kodokan judo, even the so-called Western jujutsu styles. This is not a knock on whether or not they are effective; these groups' individuals have proven that they can beat up a lot of people in those no-holds barred type matches, but it's just a historical fact. The teachers of the founders of those arts were from the Kodokan. Maeda Kosei, fifth dan Kodokan, traveled around the world and taught a number of people a pared down, roughhouse style judo he developed to take on all comers in the ring. Perhaps one of the greatest 20th Century masters of judo was Mifune Kyuzo; his throws are a joy to behold in their speed, agility, suppleness and technical wizardry. Note: (J) denotes the book is written in Japanese. Furyu the Budo Journal and all material on this site are copyright © 2002 by Tengu Press and Wayne Muromoto. All US and international copyright laws hold. Anyone interested in using any material of the site must contact Wayne Muromoto at wmuromoto@hotmail.com or at Tengu Press Hawaii, PO Box 61637, Honolulu, Hawaii 96839 USA. |
Dynamic Judo: Throwing
Techniques
by Kazuzo Kudo,
translated by Richard Gage. Japan Publications Trade Company, Tokyo, Japan.
c. 1966. 224 pages. Library of Congress Card Catalog #66-21211. Hardcover. Price
?
If you ever, ever, manage to come across this book in a used book store, buy it. It's one of the most extensive, involved and exquisite books on judo techniques ever written, by a ninth dan master of Kodokan judo. This book focuses on throwing techniques, their variations and counters. A companion volume deals with matwork (newaza). Darned, if I can't find that copy...I must have lost it over the years. What a loss! The book has huge photographs lit and set up professionally, demonstrated perfectly. One throw, for instance, is shown in its basic technique, and then Kudo shows a myriad of variations and counters to the technique, explaining and demonstrating extensively.
Illustrated
Kodokan Judo
by the Kodokan., Kodansha, Tokyo, Japan. c. 1955. Hardcover, 294 pages. c. 1955,
My version printed in 1970.
I'm sure that I've seen an updated paperback version of this book somewhere in the bookstores. This was the "official" English text of Kodokan judo, put out by the Kodokan itself. It is vividly illustrated, and goes from the history of the Kodokan and Kano Jigoro, to the theory and techniques. There are basics, throwing and groundwork, as well as the original kata used in the judo curriculum. Most of the photos are sufficient, and some you can forgive for their blurriness because they are of senior master instructors. There are even some photos of Kano sensei himself doing kata. Although somewhat dated considering the innovations in competitive, Olympic judo training methods, it is still a very good foundation to the theory and basics of judo, as well as a look to the past and the kata aspects of this art and sport.
Judo A
Pictorial Manual
by Pat Harrington, Photographs by Betty Huxley. Charles E. Tuttle Publishing
Co., Inc., Rutland, Vermont and Tokyo, Japan. c. 1992. $21.95 US.280 pages,
paperback. ISBN 0-8048-1878-9.
This is an excellent manual on judo. Australian judo practitioner Pat Harrington covers judo thoroughly, beginning with a brief history of judo, to the basic techniques, throwing methods, combinations, counters, pinning, locks (or dislocations), choking, etc. The latter part of the book encompasses all the major kata in judo, something which is not often taught in many judo dojo because sports judo has been overemphasized so much (is my prejudice showing just a wee bit?). The photographs, although sometimes a bit dark, are clear and concise, and with the instructions, give the reader a valuable manual on the methods of judo. An excellent book. And it shows that women, too, can excel in this toughest of martial Ways.
Judo (Jujutsu)
by Kano Jigoro. Reprinted by Buyu Shoseki Shuppan, Tokyo, Japan. US orders:
www.buyubooks.com. 60 pages paperback.
ISBN 4-901619-00-4.
This was originally written by the founder of Judo, Kano Jigoro, as a pamphlet for the Japan Tourist Library. According to the publishers, it has been reprinted exactly as the original with the exception of grammatical corrections and reformatting of some pictures to fit the page layout. This is a great little book that offers the founder's direct point of view about what he thought judo is, was and could be.
"The final aim of judo, therefore, is to inculcate in the mind of man a spirit of respect for the principle of maximum-efficiency and of mutual welfare and benefit, leading him so to practice them that man individually and collectively can attain the highest state, and at the same time, develop his body and learn the art of attack and defense."
