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JUDO
The two guiding principles of Judo are "Seiryoku-Zen'yo", meaning Maximum- Efficiency, and "Jita-Kyoei", Mutual Welfare and Benefit (note: also translated as You and I, shining together). Nearly every dojo has these words along with a picture of Jigoro Kano, on the walls somewhere. These words mean different things to different people. I would not suppose to suggest my interpretation of these slogans is the only interpretation. In fact, I believe that for these words to have any meaning at all, each Judokan must find a personal interpretation. Like wise the entire study of Judo must be adapted by the individual to fit his/her style, mentality and physical ability. There are those who call themselves "traditionalists" who scoff at such notions. They believe that the study of Judo is static; mastered through routine and shun innovation, individualization or modernization. They maintain strict adherence to rigid training in the name of "tradition." But who’s tradition is this? Certainly not Professor Kano’s. |
Kano said in a lecture in 1898 that "The Kodokan judo I teach has , as compared with the old jujitsu, [has] wider aims and differs in technique, so that I might well have given it a new name." Kano took (what in his time was) a very unpopular art and turned it into well received sport. Kano changed both traditional and modern perceptions. In Kano’s Japan the days of the Samurai were over. Martial arts symbolically tied to Samurai and the war lords were rejected. The often bullied, frail, Kano wanted to learn the dying arts to defend himself; but he did not stop there. Kano saw that the martial arts had more to offer then simply a means to defense. Kano created a new sport. He incorporated the old while inventing the new. Kano was also open to ideas from outside of the Japanese fighting arts. Kano was good friends with Vasili Oscepkov of Russia who was one of the founding fathers of Sombo. |
| In fact, until the 1950s the Achilles and leg
locks popular in Sombo were part of Judo. Yet, I have been to Dojos were even the wearing
of a Sombo jacket is enough to make one an outcast. I believe there is much to be learned
from the traditions of Judo, the traditions of Kano. He cultivated them into a sport, the
sport into a art and the art into a way of life. He was innovative, some might even say a
radical. I wonder how many "Sensei's" would be accepting of this rebel today if
he strolled into their Dojos? Kano said in way of explaining what Judo is "Besides the acquisition of useful knowledge, we must endeavor to improve our intellectual powers, such as memory, attention, observation, judgment, reasoning, imagination, etc." This means we should be ever vigilant against dogma. We should be inventive and dynamic. We must incorporate from others and different arts where we can. We should actively welcome new comers and increase our own networks. And we must be open to change. |
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This brings me back to those two guiding principles and what they mean to me. Seiryoku-Zen'yo (Maximum- Efficiency) speaks to the physics of Judo. On my web page I write about line of balance, breathing, direction of power , riding motion and other body mechanic skills we utilize in Judo. Maximum Efficiency also points to how we train. Get the most from each practice. Push yourself both physically and mentally. Come to practice mentally prepared to learn. I constantly think up new approaches and ways to use and hone my skills. Successful throws start with successful images of throws. Do not waste time with unrealistic movements. Practice your throws how they must be done to work. You will perform as you have practiced.
Jita-Kyoei (You and I, shining together) ; I like to apply this to how I work with my partner (See how to be an Uke). Even while sparring you are still working with someone, not against them. When you catch your partner in a great throw and smash them into the mat, what a gift you have given them! Few people ever get to experience the beauty of martial arts close up. When you get thrown yourself be sure to accept your gift. Examine it closely. Ask your partner to show it to you again. In my believe every Jodokan is a teacher as well as a student. Jita-Kyoei also refers to how we relate to Judo. The longer you practice the more it becomes part of your life. The more you give to the sport the more it gives back. Judo can make you stronger, safer and healthier. At the same time, by giving to the sport you make Judo better for everyone.
There are some weakness in Judo however - weakness that stand in stark contradiction to founding principles of Judo. Kano's Judo was dynamic and open. Judo was meant to be both a complete art and a sport. In recent years the sport of Judo has over shadowed any other part. The sport has changed and become so throw orientated that other skills have been pushed to nearly none importance. At the Minnesota State tournament in 1999 only one match was won with Submission. The 1999 AAU National’s only had two real submissions. The criteria of the Ippon has also become somewhat laughable. I've seen Ippons so soft that if the mat was made of eggs not enough would have broken to make an omelet. A throw should be judged on force, control and how an opponent lands. An Ippon should put an opponent on his back with stunning force and the thrower should be in an advantageous position. However the way the ippon is now judged there appears to be no real criteria. I've seen frequent cases where the throwie ends up onto of the thrower in a hold down only to lose. If it was truly an Ippon how did the thrower end up held down? If your throw does not lead to an advantage then it is of questionable value. How can we hold something of questionable value up as the sports highest goal?
The Judo community defends their quick ippon saying it has to do with TV ratings in Europe. That people watching on TV only want to see quick throws (which in not true in Brazil). They go on to explain that because this is the way it is played in Europe and because it is an Olympic sport that Americans should play it the same way so that they can be competitive in the Olympics. This is a little shocking at first blush. Are we saying that we have changed Judo, soiled the integrity of the game for the sake of ratings? Well – it worked for Pro Wrestling.
Judo’s defenders contend that Judo's status as an Olympic event gives it more credibility then Jujitsu, Sombo or Submission Grappling. They say this despite the fact the Luge, Ballroom Dancing and Synchronized Swimming are also Olympic events and what credibility do they have? If the focus of all Judo is going to be on the Olympics then I fear for Judo’s future in America. I believe Judo would be much better served by getting behind Mike Swain’s Pro Judo which I believe would provide more excitement for the crowd while also giving players a sporting format of greater veracity. But maybe greater veracity is exactly what Judo’s Sanhedrian doesn’t want.
Another reason for the shortening of ground work and the liberalization of the Ippon in the last ten years may have something to due with the influx of players from other grappling sports. Jujitsu has experienced a boom in popularity in recent years and many Jujitsu players have no where to play but in Judo tournaments. Jujitsu generally has much stronger ground tactics while they are weaker at throws. The rule changes that hurt Jujitsu players just as their numbers are increasing may just be a coincidence - but it does work out nicely for those Olympic minded Judo players who would hate to be shown up by some mat based grappler.
Judo is a great sport, a great art with a great tradition that is damaged by adopting a closed minded approach. Judo should be feeding on the growth of Jujitsu and the grappling arts. Instead Judo remains closed and the sport side of Judo has become a referees sport. Refs has all the power in Judo while the player's play at the whims of the refs. I recently saw a match where both players hit the ground. The Referee called an Ippon. Neither player nor the crowd know who got the point until the referee awarded the win. The winning player was noticeably surprised he had won. That is nothing short of sad. Judo is one of the very few games where the referees out number the players, dress more excitingly and spend ample time and effort getting ranked. Every Judo referee I met wants to tell me his rank; as though by siting some arbitrary number I will be impressed. Referees are only disliked when their noticed. You want to improve Judo - get refs who want to remain invisible, unranked and un-noticed.
If your a Judo player and still reading - I want to applaud you. I do not mean to offend and do not claim to be right - I'm just stating an opinion. I encourage you to continue to follow Kano's tradition by ever expanding your skills and knowledge. Today’s Judo teaches players to turtle up. But this skill will get you killed in real life. Turtlieng is less effective on the street then Tao-bo. It is also a dangerous and stupid way to live. Don't turtle from other ideas and opinions. Confront them; challenge and be challenged. In this way you will find a way that is right for you.
When Kano first started he was in a small back room in a temple. The rest of the martial arts community mocked him. They said his art was brutal and dangerous. That he and his small school of a dozen students where not worth listening too. The other night I was with 12 of my students as we practiced in the back room of a small church. I thought of those who dismissed me, who would not support our events or even have the decency to return a phone call and thought - I'm glad Kano didn't quit. I'm glad he pushed and pushed and brought this sport to the world. And while I don't like what Judo has become; I love how Judo started, what it stood for and what it offers those willing to look beyond the narrow scope that now crowds in Kano's boundless dream.
