Judo

Judo is a famous martial art and sport that began in Japan. It was created in 1882 by a man named Kanō Jigorō. Unlike older martial arts, judo focuses on throwing opponents to the ground and holding them there, instead of using strikes or weapons. People who practice judo are called judoka, and they wear special uniforms known as judogi.

In competitions, the goal is to throw an opponent onto their back, keep them there, or make them give up by controlling their joints or neck. Although some forms of judo include strikes and weapons, these are not used in regular matches. The main rules of judo teach the importance of using energy wisely and helping both oneself and others.

Judo has grown very popular around the world. It is an Olympic sport and is also practiced in many other events. Many other martial arts, like Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Krav Maga, were inspired by judo. The International Judo Federation oversees all international judo competitions, making sure the rules are followed everywhere.

History and philosophy

Early life of its founder

The story of judo begins with its founder, Kanō Jigorō, a Japanese teacher and thinker born in 1860. Kano grew up in a comfortable family and studied many subjects, including English and Japanese writing. When he was 14, he went to a school where students often bullied each other. This made him want to learn self-defense, so he searched for a teacher of jujutsu, an old Japanese fighting style. At first, many teachers did not want to teach him because jujutsu was not popular anymore in Japan, which was changing and becoming more like Western countries.

Finally, in 1877, Kano found a teacher named Fukuda Hachinosuke, who taught him that practicing moves freely was important. After Fukuda passed away, Kano studied with other teachers who also taught him free practice and throwing techniques.

Founding of the Kodokan

In February 1882, Kano started his own school at a Buddhist temple in Tokyo. Two of his first students became the first people to earn a rank in any martial art. Kano wanted judo to focus on using energy wisely and helping both the person and others. He believed that being flexible and clever could let a smaller person defeat a stronger opponent. Kano thought jujutsu’s name did not fully capture his ideas, so he changed “jujutsu” to “judo,” meaning “the gentle way.”

Judo versus jujutsu

Main article: Kodokan–Totsuka rivalry

Kano wanted judo to be more than just fighting moves. He taught that using energy wisely and helping others were important goals. He also thought the old name “jujutsu” did not fit his new ideas, so he renamed it “judo.” Kano wanted judo to help people improve themselves and society, but he knew many people did not like jujutsu at the time. He also thought about adding striking to judo but decided not to change the rules because it was too hard to do.

Judo waza (techniques)

See also: List of judo techniques and List of Kodokan judo techniques

Judo has three main types of techniques called waza: throwing techniques (nage-waza), grappling techniques (katame-waza), and striking techniques (atemi-waza). Judo is most famous for nage-waza and katame-waza because striking techniques are not allowed in regular judo matches.

Practitioners often practice ukemi (break-falls) to stay safe when learning throwing techniques. There are different kinds of break-falls, such as rear, side, front, and rolling break-falls.

The person doing the technique is called the tori (taker), and the person receiving it is the uke (receiver).

Nage-waza (throwing techniques)

Nage-waza are all about throwing or tripping the uke, usually trying to get them on their back. Each throw has three steps: making the opponent lose balance (Kuzushi), turning and fitting into the throw (Tsukuri), and completing the throw (Kake).

Traditionally, nage-waza are split into standing throws (tachi-waza) and sacrifice throws (sutemi-waza), where the tori gives up their standing position to throw uke.

Tachi-waza can be further divided into hand techniques (te-waza), hip techniques (koshi-waza), and foot and leg techniques (ashi-waza).

Katame-waza (grappling techniques)

Katame-waza are divided into holding techniques (osaekomi-waza), where the tori pins uke on their back; strangulation techniques (shime-waza), where the tori tries to control uke by choking; and joint techniques (kansetsu-waza), where the tori tries to control uke by moving their joints.

There is also a concept called ne-waza (prone techniques), where techniques are used from a lying down position.

In judo matches, Kansetsu-waza is limited to elbow joint manipulation. Other joint locks can be found in special forms like Katame-no-kata and Kodokan goshin jutsu.

Atemi-waza (striking techniques)

Atemi-waza are techniques where tori hits uke to a weak point to disable them. These techniques are only used in special forms called kata and not in regular matches.

Pedagogy

Judo teaching places a lot of importance on randori, which means "free practice". Randori can be gentle, where partners do not resist each other, or it can be more intense, like the style used in competitions. The goal is to learn, not just to win.

Judo also includes kata, which are set patterns of movements. These help show the basic ideas of judo, teach the right way to do techniques, and let people practice moves that are not used in free practice. There are ten main kata forms recognized by the Kodokan, each with its own purpose. Some kata focus on throwing techniques, others on holding or defending against attacks. There are also other kata that are practiced but not officially recognized by the Kodokan.

In addition to working with a partner, judo students also practice tandoku-renshu, which means practicing by oneself. This can include personal exercises to improve skills.

Competitive judo

History

Judo is a type of martial art that focuses on throws and self-defense. It was created in Japan in 1882 by Kanō Jigorō. Contest rules for judo were first made in 1899, and early matches were judged based on how well a player threw or held their opponent. Over time, more rules were added to make the sport safer and fairer.

Use of judo at the Summer Olympic Games

See also: Judo at the Summer Olympics

In 1964, judo became an official Olympic sport at the Tokyo Games. It was first shown informally in 1932. Men competed first, and women joined as an official event in 1992. Judo was also added to the Youth Olympic Games in 2010.

Use of judo at the Summer Paralympic Games

See also: Judo at the Summer Paralympics

Judo became a Paralympic sport in 1988 in Seoul, with women’s events starting in 2004.

Use of judo at the Commonwealth Games

See also: Judo at the Commonwealth Games

Judo was an optional sport in the Commonwealth Games in 1990, 2002, and 2014. It will become a core sport starting in 2022.

Current international contest rules

Penalties are given for actions that slow the match or break the rules. Matches stop if a player leaves the mat area.

Weight divisions

There are currently seven weight divisions, which can change based on the age of the competitors:

Competition scoring

A strong throw that puts the opponent flat on their back wins the match. Weaker throws earn points, and two of these can also win. Holding an opponent for 20 seconds also wins the match. If the score is tied, a sudden-death period decides the winner.

Penalties

Players can get warnings for small rule breaks. After three warnings, the other player wins. Major rule breaks lead to losing the match and being removed from the tournament.

In mixed martial arts

Main article: Mixed martial arts

Many judo experts have also become successful in mixed martial arts. Some famous judo fighters who have won Olympic medals include Hidehiko Yoshida, Naoya Ogawa, Paweł Nastula, Makoto Takimoto, Satoshi Ishii, Ronda Rousey, and Kayla Harrison. Other notable fighters include Fedor Emelianenko, Yoshihiro Akiyama, and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Alternative styles and derivative martial arts

Kano Jigoro's Kodokan judo is the most popular style of judo, but it is not the only one. In the early years, judo and jujutsu were often used interchangeably, so some forms are still called jujutsu today. From Kano's original style, several related forms have developed, some now seen as separate arts.

Kosen judo

Kosen judo is a special style of judo used in competitions for high school students in Japan. It focuses more on holding techniques than other styles and has drawn comparisons with Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Freestyle Judo

Freestyle Judo is a style of judo practiced mainly in the United States of America. It includes techniques not allowed in regular judo rules and is supported by groups like the International Freestyle Judo Alliance.

Georgian Judo

Georgian Judo is influenced by a traditional Georgian wrestling style called Chidaoba. This style uses special grips and powerful throws. Many Georgian judokas have won Olympic and World Championship titles.

Russian Judo

Russian Judo was shaped by a Soviet martial art called Sambo. Famous mixed martial artists and coaches have helped develop this style, which has also influenced regular judo with new techniques.

Mongolian Judo

Mongolian Judo focuses on strength and power, influenced by a traditional wrestling style called Bokh. This style uses strong grips and powerful throws. Mongolian judokas have won many world championships.

Korean Judo

Korean Judo is known for its speed and quick techniques. Practitioners use fast movements and smart tactics rather than just strength. Many Korean judokas have become Olympic champions.

French Judo

French Judo uses smart tactics and timing to break the opponent's balance and prevent proper grips. Many French judokas have won World and Olympic titles.

Cuban Judo

Cuban Judo is known for its explosive movements and strong athletes. Training focuses on both mental strategy and physical power.

Azerbaijani Judo

Azerbaijani Judo combines the original Kodokan judo with traditional Azerbaijani wrestling. It focuses on strength during throws and uses special grips and positions.

Israeli Judo

Israeli Judo became popular recently and focuses on quick hip throws. Israeli judokas have achieved success in international competitions since the 1980s.

Sambo

Sambo mixes judo with wrestling and sometimes includes striking. It was developed in Europe and became popular, especially after sambists won medals in the 1964 Olympics.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Brazilian jiu-jitsu grew from judo brought to Brazil by Mitsuyo Maeda. It developed into its own style, especially through the Gracie family, and includes many wrestling techniques.

Other styles

Judo has also influenced other fighting styles such as close-quarters combat, mixed martial arts, shoot wrestling, and submission wrestling.

Safety

Judo was created to be practiced safely while still being a real martial art. Important safety rules were added, like only using certain throwing moves in competitions and teaching special ways to fall safely called ukemi. Practitioners also train on soft tatami mats to help prevent injuries.

For moves that involve twisting joints or holding the breath, there are usually age limits on when children can start learning them. These rules can be different in each country or group. When doing throws, both the person doing the throw and the person receiving it need good skills to stay safe. That’s why throws are taught step by step, starting with easier ones and moving to harder ones as skills improve.

Mental training

Mental training helps judo athletes improve their performance and stay healthy. It teaches them useful skills for both training and everyday life. The first special guide for judo mental training was published in 2005. In 2022, Caio Gabriel wrote the first article about mental training for the International Judo Federation, called "The Arts and Sciences of Judo".

Judoka (practitioner)

A person who practices judo is called a judoka. This word means someone who knows a lot about judo, no matter how good they are at it. In the past, only people who were very skilled, at a certain level called 4th dan, were called judoka. Others were called trainees.

A judo teacher is called a sensei. Traditionally, only teachers who were very skilled, at the 4th dan level or above, could use this title.

Judogi (uniform)

People who practice judo usually wear white uniforms called keikogi or judogi. The uniform includes a jacket with buttons and trousers with a draw-string. The belt worn with the uniform shows the person's level in judo.

In some big competitions outside Japan, one competitor wears a blue uniform so judges and others can tell the players apart. In Japan, both competitors wear white, but one may have a special red marking on their belt. The blue uniform is only needed for certain important competitions. All judo uniforms used in big events must have a special label to show they meet quality rules.

Organizations

Main article: List of judo organizations

The main group that controls judo around the world is the International Judo Federation (IJF). It was started in 1951. The IJF includes groups from Africa, Pan-America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, each with many judo clubs and teams. The IJF organizes big judo competitions like the World Judo Championships and helps run judo events at the Olympic Judo games.

Rank and grading

Main article: Rank in Judo

Judo uses a special ranking system called kyū (級, kyū) - dan (段, dan) to show how experienced a judoka, or judo player, is. This system was created by Jigoro Kano and is similar to the ranking in the game Go.

Beginners start with a white belt and move through different colored belts as they learn more. When they reach a certain skill level, they earn a black belt, called the kuro obi. The black belt shows that they have reached a high level in judo.

There are many levels of black belts, and the highest ones are decided by leaders of the Kodokan school. There is no limit to how high someone can go in ranks, as learning never truly ends.

World Judo Day

Every year on October 28, people who love judo celebrate World Judo Day to honor Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo. This special day started in 2011 and each year has a new theme to focus on the important values of judo. Some past themes include Peace, Wellbeing, Bring a Friend, Inclusion, Solidarity, Stronger Together, Plant a Tree, Friendship, and Courage. The goal is always to show the good values that judo teaches.

In popular culture

Films

• Akira Kurosawa, Sanshiro Sugata (姿三四郎, Sugata Sanshirō; a.k.a. Judo Saga), 1943.
• Akira Kurosawa, Sanshiro Sugata Part II (續姿三四郎, Zoku Sugata Sanshirō; a.k.a. Judo Saga II), 1945.
• Johnnie To, Throw Down (柔道龍虎榜, Yau doh lung fu bong), 2004.

Manga & Anime

• Naoki Urasawa award winning manga Yawara! (1986-1993) sold over 30 million copies. It follows a teenage girl named Yawara who loves fashion but is very good at Judo. Her grandfather, a Judo master, wants her to win a gold medal at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics and receive the People's Honour Award. The story was turned into an anime with 124 episodes by Madhouse Studio, shown from 1989 to 1992. It also had a live-action movie and an animated movie. Ryoko Tani (谷 亮子, Tani Ryōko), a real Judo athlete who competed in the Barcelona 1992 Olympics, was called "Yawara-chan" because of her great Judo skills at the summer Olympics.