Zen Judo

Useful Background Information For All

Students.

Judo

Judo Is a full contact hand-to-hand martial art, in which two opponents utilise movement, balance, and leverage to gain advantage over each other. It emphasises gaining an advantage by giving way to an attacking force. Judo, which means "gentle way" in Japanese, is adapted from a traditional Japanese martial art known as jujitsu.

Zen Judo

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 style 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.

Founder

Shihan Dominick Mac McCarthy was born in 1918 and trained in a number of martial arts. He was 47 years old when he started training in the Kyu- shin-do style of judo. He broke away from Kyu-shin-do and formed the Zen Judo Family in September 1974 with the hope of preserving the kyu-shin-do style by keeping the same syllabus and still using Japanese names for the throws, because at that time there was a lot of pressure to westernise Judo. The Zen Judo style is based on the original Kyu shin do Judo style founded by Sensei Kenshiro Abbe 7th Dan who founded the British Judo Council in 1958 with Sensei Bill Woods 2nd Dan. Abbe Sensei went on to form a number of schools or ryu the most widely known being his style of Akido. Judo can help important skills, such as balance, co-ordination, awareness, concentration and discipline. Training has the emphasis on enjoyment, fitness and fun and is suitable for both adults and children. Shihan MacCarthy attained the level of 8th Dan and died in 1995 aged 77 years. It is worth noting that he was still instructing at the Petersfield dojo, the home of The Zen Judo Family the week before he passed away.

Grade Structure

White (all beginners) - Yellow - Orange - Green - Blue - Brown - Black Promotion through the grades is possible by any student who perseveres and is dedicated to training. Note that this grade structure applies to both 'adults' (Seniors/over 16's) and 'children' (Juniors/under 16's), The Zen Judo Syllabus is the same for ALL students, only the level of technical ability expected at gradings for younger students is different.

Zen Judo Syllabus

For more information on The Zen Judo Syllabus click on the Syllabus Page link below. Alternatively, you could buy the 2nd edition of the book 'ZenJudo, A Way Of Life' written by Brian N Bagot (6th Dan ZJF/ 3rd Dan USJA) as published by Dojo Books. This book contains lots of useful information on Zen Judo and was forwarded by Dominick McCarthy 8th Dan Zen. For ordering Information eMail the Chief Instructor, John Robertson.