It would appear that even Japan is starting to worry about the direction Judo is taking (webmaster).

Japanese Judo: R.I.P.?

by Mark Colby Sensei

This article first appeared in the "SMAA Journal" Volume 13, Issue 2

 Yasuhiro Yamashita Sensei has been bounced from the Board of Directors of the International Judo Federation (IJF), leaving Japan devoid of a voice on the world scene. Days after Yamashita Sensei’s ouster, Japan’s great hopes in the men’s heavyweight divisions were both eliminated from the World Championships on what many here in Japan believe to be questionable judging. While Nippon did retain a considerable cachet through the illustrious Mrs. Tani’s seventh world championship, the year 2007 seems to mark the final straw, breaking the country of origin’s last remnant of moral (or political) authority over judo’s future trajectory.

 

Although largely unnoticed by the rest of the world, Japan’s judo leaders and even the general public stand aghast at recent events. From boardrooms to bar rooms, the banter is the same; the fundamental tenets of judo have morphed so far from its origins, it no longer represents Japan or its culture.

 

A prominent Japanese attorney and judo godan is heart attack serious when he says the Kodokan should sue the IJF, forcing them to stop using the name “judo” to describe the current iteration of the sport. “The current world leaders are ignoring the foundation of what judo is, turning it into something it was never intended to be. It’s all about money grubbing and power politics,” he states with puckered lip and furrowed brow. The streets of Tokyo are humming with rumors that Japanese television will stop broadcasting IJF events, hitting them where it hurts: in the wallet.

 

Those in North America and Europe look at these kinds of confounding statements and wonder what all the fuss is about. Thanks to the globalization of judo, it is practiced in nearly 200 countries and by millions of people. The international leadership has succeeded in recasting judo, allowing it to resonate to nearly all cultures. It has also brought the business savvy necessary for ongoing financing and promotion. Some feel Japan should be overjoyed that its national sport has achieved such success and is not relegated to the fringes like certain martial arts.

 

While it is not this author’s place to pass judgment on such poignant matters, as someone who lives in Japan (with grounding in the West), allow me to attempt to shed some light on Japanese judoka’s thinking. I do this with the caveat that this line of reasoning is exceedingly difficult to articulate, even between die-hard Japanese budoka.

 

First and foremost, there is a profound sadness in Japan relating to what is seen as ignoring judo’s spiritual roots. The two Chinese characters “ju” and “do” have deep meaning resonating into how people should lead their lives and interact with society. (The word judo means the “gentle way” or the “way of pliability.”)

 

This is supported by thousands of years of Shinto philosophy based on simplicity, humility, and honor. Spiritually, the current manifestation of judo appears relegated to garden variety sportsmanship. “Ju-do” cannot be compared to “box-ing” or “base-ball.”

 

To Japanese sensibilities, this spiritual failure has morphed much of modern judo in ways that will ultimately damage the sport’s appeal. Defensive posturing may be an effective sports strategy, but it is cowardly. Traditional ideology would argue that it would be better to lose with honor. Grip fighting, now the hallmark of competitive judo, is seen as the sport’s bane, creating a jerky cat-fight out of what was designed to be a highly fluid test of wills. Playing out the clock and winning on points contradicts the very essence of judo, which in the beginning had only a single point in each bout for a reason: your opponent can only die once. Winning by a quarter point can’t count for anything but failure to have achieved victory. Ignoring these premises, the Japanese claim, has made judo less interesting to do and tedious to watch.

 

Given these issues, it is fair to ask what would happen if everyone magically started practicing the kind of judo Japan seems to be yearning for—where all out competition is modulated by what Westerners might call a kind of “chivalry.” The next question, which will no doubt cause considerable pause among traditionalists, could this still be called a sport?

 

If you haven’t hardwired your views on these lofty issues, it may be helpful to remember what attracted you to judo (or other budo) over other sporting pursuits. How much of your decision was based on an attempt to find what the Japanese feel they are now loosing? Most importantly for the future of judo, if the IJF is successful at casting off what they see as unwanted cultural baggage, how will this affect the choices of coming generations?

About the Author: Colby Sensei teaches and practices traditional Kodokan judo in the USA and Japan. He has practiced at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo for over 20 years.

 

Ronin Jujitsu Club held there annual Hatsu Geiko training session on Elmer Sands beach just east of Bognor Regis (West Sussex).
This years event was held in support of Help For Heroes and donations can be made at:-

www.bymycharity.com/Hatsugeiko2010 and the ref is 20091117-7005-6892

This year Assistant Instructor Martin Robertson 3rd Dan represented Bognor Regis Zen Judo Club at the event
and here are the photos to prove it (left hand end second row up).
Ronin jujitsu Club Sensei Tony Richards (middle of bottom row) once again braved the cold water for a refreshing dip in the sea along with Instructors and Students.

For more photos of the event go to www.brzjc.co.uk (opens in a new window).

"With Knowledge comes Responsibility"

“Always carried out smoothly and under
control. Never jerk or snap to apply the
techniques, and always use with care and
consideration”

Thanks to Shihan Gordon Lawson there is now a booklet available for download on Joint Locks and Strangles.
This publication covers the main Judo Joint Locking and Strangle techniques to be taught to Zen Judo Students,
it also has guidence for instructors on how and when to teach these techniques, with pictures and descriptions for both Tori and Uke.

Download the booklet in pdf format (3.27MB)

 

See below for useful links to www.rhosjudokwai.co.uk website with photos of how to fold a judogi and how to tie up your belt:

A tatty or dirty judogi is considered a sign of disrespect in many dojos, therefore care should be taken to prevent creasing etc.
In order to do this the Kodokan teaches judoka to fold their judogi in the following way:
LINK to website (opens in new window).

Another sign of disrespect is a badly tied belt. Now courtesy of Rhos Judoka Gareth Love, theres no excuse:
LINK to website  (opens in new window).

 

As a Chief Instructor of a "Traditional" Judo Club, I have been following the UKCC saga with interest. The recent U turn by the BJC regarding first Contest and now apparently Kata seems to be filtering down to the local club level and I have just read in the local paper the following:-


"It totally vindicates what we try to achieve as a club, spending Monday evenings practicing the ancient art of judo, based on ju-jitsu - focusing on technique rather than competition fighting, which is more the focus of other clubs and more suited to the national centres of excellence like Camberley and Dartford".


I wonder if this an isolated case or an indication that the BJA have decided that it would be more fun as “pirates, outlaws and renegades.”

What do you think ?


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