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A
Brief History of Judo
Judo
was created in by Professor Jigoro Kano (1860-1938). He had studied
jujutsu at an early age and adapted Judo from it. He founded the
Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo, Japan in 1882. He selected various
jujutsu techniques that may be practiced for self-development, physical
education and sport allowing Judo to be practiced with full force
and complete safety. Jujutsu retains more dangerous self defense
techniques. Jujutsu is commonly recognized as a Martial Art while
Judo is a Martial Sport, however, many of the techniques learned
in Judo are very applicable in a self defense situation.
Judo was first introduced to the United States in 1902 when Professor
Yamashita taught the sport to President Teddy Roosevelt however
the sport was practiced mainly by Japanese Americans on the West
Coast. This situation was altered very rapidly following WWII when
many US Armed Forces athletes stationed in occupied Japan began
to study Judo. These pioneers brought the sport back to the US opening
a scattering of clubs around the country. However a real leap forward
occured when General Curtis E. LeMay and Mr Mel Bruno of the Strategic
Air Command of the US Air Force introduced Judo as a mean of training
combat bomber crews in unarmed defense. Thus beginning in 1952 the
USAF had highly experienced Judo coaches located at up to 70 SAC
bases throughout the United States.
Also, in 1950 the Amateur Athletic Union was persuaded to add a
subcommitee for Judo. In 1954 the Amateur Judo Association of the
US was created however in 1955 it was renamed the Judo Black Belt
Federation of the US. The
United States Judo Association was born as the SAC Judo Society
in Omaha in 1954...it grew so rapidly that in 1961 it was renamed
the Armed Forces Judo Association with the influx of members from
other branches of the Armed Service. As often happens as the organizations
grew so did a diversity of opinions and views as to the best way
further the sport of Judo and this eventual lead to the creation
of the USJA in 1969. Judo became a full Olympic medal sport for
men in 1964 and for women in 1992.
The
Philosophy of Judo
Judo is
usually translated from the Japanese as the "gentle way" or perhaps
the "yeilding way". Its purpose is to develop the character, mind
and body of individuals so that they can better fulfil themselves
as individuals and have a greater capacity for successfully contributing
to society. While we have Judo teams and learning Judo definitely
requires cooperation, Judo is nonetheless a very individual sport.
The main principles in learning Judo are jita kyoei (cooperation)...that
is working for mutual welfare and benefit and the principle of seiryoku
zenyo (maximum efficiency)...using the least amount of effort to achieve
the greatest results.
We have a saying in Judo that is repeated over and over again and
very much sums up the heart of Judo training, it is, "You and Me Shining
Together!"
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THE
FOUR PRINCIPLES OF TRAINING
by Sensei
Phillip Porter
Victories
come automatically from adequate training.
Therefore,
accomplishing the training itself is the prime objective, not winning.
Winning takes care of itself, concentrate on the training.
Adequate
training occurs only when the athlete follows a complete training plan.
If
the plan is not adequate, victories will not result. Therefore, frequent
revisions of the training plan may be necessary in the light of victories
achieved. A complete training plan must include at least:
- Physical
training including strength, flexibility and stamina training.
- Technical
training to automate the desired techniques.
- Tactical
training to include the development of an integrated attack system,
the ability to follow the encounter system and the ability to effectively
employ the five tactical variables: Grip, edge, direction, posture and
tempo.
- Strategic
training to include timing and peak periods.
- Mental
training to achieve mazimum performance.
- Spiritual
training to develop depth of character and ki.
Each
technique in the training plan, from the most important technique onward
through the plan, must be automated and made reflexive in turn. |
