Human Weapon [HQ] - Judo: Samurai Legacy part 4/5

The massively popular martial art of Judo is derived from Jujitsu (also referred to as Jujutsu or Jiu-jitsu), an ancient system of hand-to-hand combat practiced by highly skilled samurai and ninja warriors on the battlefields of feudal Japan. Beginning in the early 1880s, the Jujitsu fighter and instructor Jiguro Kano developed a new martial art based on Jujitsu techniques, with one organizing principle: to make the most efficient use of mental and physical energy. Kano called the system Judo, or gentle way, and saw it as not merely a self-defense method, but also a lifelong art.

In 1882, Kano founded the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo, which remains the top Judo authority in the world. Kano later traveled to Europe and used his fluency in English to spread the practice and philosophy of Judo to a new Western audience. He also broke with Japanese martial arts tradition by taking on a female student, Sueko Ashiya, and opening a dojo, or training center, for women in Tokyo. After Kano died in 1938, Judo only continued to grow in popularity. The first international tournament took place in 1947 between British and French fighters. In 1964, Judo became an Olympic sport, and it is now practiced by more than 8 million people around the world.

Because of Kanos belief that Judo was a way of life, training for this martial art is based on mental and moral development, in addition to physical. Two key goals for Judo fighters are hontai (a permanent state of alertness) and bonno (a disciplined mind, serene calm, control of the body, and readiness to react to any situation). The fundamental physical technique at the heart of Judo is using the opponents body weight against him; in this way, a small fighter can beat a much larger, stronger opponent with the proper strategy, skill and technique. Judo is practiced on mats, and there is no kicking or punching. The key moves in Judo are throws and grappling, including chokeholds, joint locks and armbars.

Judo fighters are ranked according to a belt system, where each rank is called a kyu and the belts are called obi. Earning a black belt is considered a sign of proficiency and the beginning of a more advanced study; there are ten degrees, or dan, of black belt, in the Judo system. The Judo belt system has been adapted by many of the other modern martial arts, including Karate and Aikido.

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Sports

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• martial
• arts
• judo
• human
• weapon
• training
• combat
• samurai
• japan
• jason
• chambers
• bill
• duff
• xkatienikki07

[wasabi622]

Never realized how much hand to hand combat was involved in ancient battles! I had always assumed it was just a bunch of dudes waving swords and spears.. :p

[RoberttheWise]

Was kinda disapointed, that they totaly ignored Aikido, another branching of JiuJitsu paralell to Judo.

[veshkeat]

@wasabi622 wooden spearhafts often broke under too much pressure (like stabbing a charging horse) and swords werent really ment to last either. The weapons broke more often than the samurai would "drop" them. extra sword is good to carry, but hand to hand combat was the backup that didnt break

[TheMimeGogo]

@Javjean Dude, I beg to differ. One of Singapore's former chief of Police is currently the head of the country's main Aikido Association. And the art is a compulsory part of military, police and Singapore Airline crew defense training.

[TheMimeGogo]

@BladeStorm95z O-Sensei formalized, and made the practice mainstream, but I believe he had contemporaries during his time. Keep in mind that he was also once a disciple. I think that Takenouchi Sensei's family art were one of those where O-Sensei trained with before Aikido was created.

[Javjean]

@RoberttheWise

That's because it's taken about as seriously as a woman in the 1800s.

[BladeStorm95z]

if this isnt aikido then its so close that it is unbelievable

[PocketFire]

@DX777100 have you ever take a jujitsu class? clearly not

[MrBattManiac]

cool transition btw

[ThePriceOfEvil93]

@DX777100 .. it does ..

[adiyyhatem]

they didnt have the size for him. he's too tall.