Judo
Judo
Judo is a Japanese martial art and an Olympic sport that concentrates on throwing and subduing the opponent. It also has philosophical and spiritual components.
Judo is probably the most popular and widespread martial art in the world. International Judo Federation has more countries as members than any other sport organization. This may be due in large part to the benefits Judo confers on those who practice it. In addition to physical and mental well being, Judo also instills on the practitioner an ethical mode of life that most people find attractive and beneficial.
The Japanese character denoted by ?Ju? means ?gentle?, while ?Do? mean ?the way?. In other words Judo means ?The gentle way?. This seemingly odd name for a martial art comes from the principle of yawara (which also mean gentleness) that underlines Judo techniques. This aims to get the better of the opponent by giving way instead of opposing or engaging in offensive action.
History Judo originates from the ancient Japanese hand to hand martial art called the jujutsu developed by Japanese warrior class, the samurai, over the centuries. Jujutsu techniques intended for use in actual combat were part of samurai training. It underwent several changes according to the requirements of times. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868 it evolved from actual war techniques to a way of life or a discipline. New form and focus was recognized through a new name; Judo (?jutsu? is art, ?do? is way)
Modern judo was created in 1882 by Dr. Jigoro Kano, who has studied the then prevailing forms under several masters. His form of judo called the Kodokan (school to learn the way) included the modern Judo techniques and philosophy including ethical codes. By around 1905 other leading jujutsu teachers have recognized the excellence of Kano?s system and joined it. With some minor changes most of the philosophy and technical aspects of Judo has remained true to Kano?s ideas.
Techniques Judo does not involve striking techniques like kicking and punching common in some martial arts like karate. Additionally Judo does not involve joint lock techniques to throw down an opponent as used in Aikido. It also does not involve weapons.
Instead of those methods Judo practitioners (called judoka) grip the ?judogi? (the special uniform worn by those who practice this sport) and try to make the opponent lose their balance through the use of power and movements in order to throw him or her onto their backs. This standing phase of combat is called tachi-waza. In addition to throwing techniques used to bring down the opponent, pinning and submission techniques are used to subdue the opponent once on the ground. Ground phase of combat is called ne-waza.
Though there is variety of techniques for throwing, only a few of them are really useful in sporting combat. When it comes to spinning and submission the techniques involve chokeholds and joint locks. Judo places greater emphasis on randori or free-style sparring instead of practicing of techniques. However Judo makes use of Kata or formalized demonstrations to illustrate the correct use of techniques and the theory behind the techniques
Though basic and simple, to truly master Judo techniques require a high degree of physical and mental effort from the student. That effort and training tends to develop the learner?s flexibility, strength, reaction speed, coordination, posture, confidence, and endurance, among others physical qualities.
Students and advanced judoka are ranked in two separate divisions (called ?kyu? and ?dan? respectively) according to their demonstrated skill and knowledge of Judo. Ranking is differentiated by the color of the belt.