Welcome
Zen Judo - A Traditional Judo Style
50 Years 1974 to 2024
© The Zen Judo Family and The British Zen Judo Family
Association. All rights reserved.
Judo more than just a sport
In Zen Judo the accent is on achieving
perfection of the technique in all throws
and holds. There are no special skills
required as we start simply, with forward
rolls and gentle break falls. Then, as you
progress we build up the throws and
they gradually become increasingly
powerful with feet coming higher and
higher off the floor.
We practice Judo in a nurturing non-
competitive environment. Grades are
awarded for technical knowledge and
skills rather than competitive success.
Therefore, our club is suitable for
students of all ages from six to sixty
plus. In fact, the ability for fathers and
mothers to train with their kids makes
us a special place to enjoy judo.
We aim to build ability and confidence,
each individual progressing at their own
speed, with an emphasis on co-
operation in a relaxed fun family
atmosphere. Judo, which means 'Gentle
Way', should be about technique rather
than strength, yielding to use the
strength used against you, and that is
what we try to learn.
The Zen Judo syllabus is based upon
traditional martial arts training where
the focus is on mastering technique
rather than focusing upon competition.
When was the Zen Judo Family
Founded
The Zen style was founded in 1974 by
Sensei Dominick McCarthy 8th Dan Zen
Judo and has had students both in
Britain and the U.S.A., unfortunately he
passed away in 1995, but he had been
able to practice his style of Judo to
within weeks of his death and had taken
a class at his Petersfield Dojo the day
before his death. The Zen Judo Family
(ZJF) is affiliated to the Kenshindoryu
Nippon Budo Kyokai and is a founding
member of the International ‘Gentle-
Arts’ Society (IGAS). We also maintain
links and friendship with The British Zen
Judo Family Association (BZJFA) and a
number of other martial arts clubs and
organisations.
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