[IMAGE]Thompson Judo Club[IMAGE]

Thompson Judo Club

Judo History


Table of Content

Main Page
Tournament ScheduleJudo History
Nage-waza (Throws)Shime-waza (Chokes)
Kansetsu-waza (Armlocks)
Osae-waza (Holds)
Scrap Book

Judo History

[image]

Jigoro Kano (pictures right) was born on October 28, 1860 in Mikage, Japan. After having studied various forms of jujitsu, sumo wrestling, Kano developed his own art. In 1882, he founded the Kodokan School at the Eishoji Temple. His first students were: Isogai, Yamashita, Yokoyama, Saigo, Suzuki, Magoka, Mifune, and Tomita.

Kano change the name of his art from jujitsu (which means "gentle art" or "gentle principle") to judo (which means "gentle way"). He made this change because, although Judo was mostly based on Jujitsu, he had wider aims and different techniques. Jujitsu often used violent and dangerous techniques. Also, Jujtsu was starting to be looked down on because of the professionalism involved.

There developed, however, at the same time, a Jujitsu school under the instruction of Titsuka. In 1886, the Police Chief organized a tournament between the two schools. Out of 15 matches, the Kodokan won 13 and tied 2. This victory established the supremacy of the Kodokan's principles and techniques.

The technical formula (the throws, holds, etc...) were completed 1887, while the spritual phase (maximum efficiency with minimum effort and mutual welfare and benefit) were completed about 1922.

Professor Jigoro Kano died May, 1938. He was succeeded in his work by his son, Risei Kano, who is today the president of the Kodokan in Tokyo, Japan.

After World War II, Judo began to flourish across the world. In 1956, the first world championship was held in Paris, France. In this tournament, there was only one weight division and it was won by Natsui.

The second world Shiai was held in Tokyo in 1958 and was won by Sone. In 1961, the third world champion was Geesink from the Netherlands.

In the Tokyo Olympic Games (1964), Judo first became an offical sport. Doug Rodgers of Canada won a silver medal at these games.

The first Canadian Judo Championships were in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1959 and was won by Manfred Matt. Judo was introduced to Manitoba by the late Tom Mitani.

By 1922, Jigoro Kano had completed the spiritual aspects of Judo. He included in this two main principles.

The first principle was Seriyoko-Zenyo or maximum efficiency with minimum effort. This simply means to find the easiest way to do the best job possible. This applies both in judo and everyday life.

The second principle was Jitsu-Kyoei or mutual welfare amd benefit. This means that all persons concerned should learn something and that no one get hurt.

The physical aspects of judo had been complete much earlier. By 1889, Kano had devised the Go-Kyo-No-Waza of the forty throws of Judo. Kano also devised a set of Kata. Kata is a series of prearranged throws which are done in a precise way. Kata is used only for demostration and testing.

The two fundamentals that a judo competitor must remember are as the follows:

-When an opponent pulls me, I push more than he pulls.

-When an opponent pushes me, I pull more than he pushes.

In Judo, each throwing technique can be divided into three parts. The first part is called "Kuzushi" or "the breaking of the opponents balance". The second part is "tsukuri"or "the turning motion" (this is the first action which causes the breaking of the balance). The last is "Kake" or "the finishing action of the throw". Kuzushi makes up 70% of the throw, Tsukuri 20% and Kake 10%.


If you have any comments to make about this or any other page, wish to make a statement or have questions you can reach me by e-mail at: [email protected]

Please note that the Thompson Judo Club holds its classes on Tuesday's and Thursday's between 7:30 and 9:30pm central standard time.


This page was created on 10/15/96

This page was last updated on 04/17/98


This webpage was created by Wesley "Ouija" Hokkinen (Ni-Kyu) for the Thompson Judo Club