Judo
Judo (æé, "Gentle way") is a Japanese martial art developed in 1882 by Jigoro Kano.
It originated from the many different schools of jujutsu, specifically Tenjin Shinyo-ryu and Kito-ryu, and specializes in throws. Practitioners of judo are called judoka.
Principles
Judo teaches the use of leverage, quick movements, and breaking balance (å´©ã, kuzushi) in order to throw an opponent. Another point is using one's physical and mental power efficiently.
Techniques
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Judo techniques are divided into throws (æãæ, nage-waza), grappling techniques (åºæ, katame-waza), and striking techniques (å½ã¦èº«æ, atemi-waza). Also crucial is learning to fall safely (å身, ukemi).
Nage-waza are divided into standing techniques (ç«ã¡æ, tachi-waza), and sacrifice techniques (æ¨èº«æ, sutemi-waza). Tachi-waza are divided into hand techniques (ææ, te-waza), hip techniques (è °æ, koshi-waza), and leg techniques (足æ, ashi-waza). Sutemi-waza are divided into supine sacrifice techniques (çæ¨èº«æ, ma-sutemi-waza) and side sacrifice techniques (æ©«æ¨èº«æ, yoko-sutemi-waza).
Katame-waza are divided into pinning techiques (æ¼è¾¼æ, Osae-komi-waza), choking techniques (çµæ, Shime-waza), and joint locks (é¢ç¯æ, kansetsu-waza)
Atemi-waza include punches, kicks, knee strikes, finger strikes, and elbow strikes. Atemi-waza are only practiced in kata, not free practice, since they could result in serious injury, unconsciousness, or death.
Forms of practice
Judo is practiced in either free practice (ä¹±åã, randori), or kata (prearranged forms).
In randori, any throw can be performed (except a few dangerous throws), and grappling techniques are also performed, except shime-waza. Also exempt from randori include atemi-waza, for the reasons described above.
Katas consist of Randori-no-kata (free exercise katas), which is divided into Nage-no-kata (Throwing kata), and Katame-no-kata (Grappling kata), Kime-no-kata (Decisive kata), Kodokan Goshin Jutsu (Kodokan self- defense kata), Ju-no-kata (Gentle kata), Itsutsu-no-kata (The Five Katas), and Koshiki-no-kata (Kata of Antiquity). There is also Seiryoku-zenyo-kokumin-taiiku (Maximum-Efficiency National Physical Education), which is used by judoka to train outside the dojo.
Resuscitation techniques
Sometimes, a judoka is choked into unconsciousness during randori or competition, and resuscitation techniques (æ´»æ³, kappo) are used to resume their breathing. Kappo are not unlike CPR, but do not involve mouth-to-mouth techniques.
Kodokan
The Kodokan, founded in 1882 by Jigoro Kano, is located in Tokyo, Japan. This is the international judo center. The Kodokan publishes a monthly magazine titled Judo, that Kodokan members subscribe to. Members pay a monthly fee, and international students can enroll.