Judo
Judo is a Japanese Martial Art of Grappling
Judo is a Japanese Martial Art of Grappling
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Gladiator Judo Uniform Made of 100% cotton, these uniforms are available in four colors. A single weave uniform with a double weave construction, you have to feel this uniform to appreciate it. Read More... Price: $25.95 - $79.95 Black Belt Special! |
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Gladiator II Wrist Wrap Grappling Gloves Comfortable neoprene inner structure and palm. Durable padded leather on back and sides of hand and thumb. 2 in. wide leather wrist wrap. Read More... Price: $34.95 Black Belt Special! |
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ProForce Judo Heavyweight Uniforms Made of 100% cotton, these uniforms are available in three weights. The double weave jacket is twice as heavy as the single weave. Read More... Price: $54.95 - $69.95 Black Belt Special! |
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ProForce Fingerless Grappling Gloves Pro leather light design construction. Fingerless for easy gripping. Extra padding over high-impact area on back of hand and across knuckles assures comfort during workouts. Read More... Price: $19.95 Black Belt Special! |
Judo is a graceful Japanese martial art of grappling,
throwing and falling. It trains and disciplines the body
and mind. Most of these techniques involve grabbing the
Gi or uniform of the opponent. Unlike Jiu Jitsu, Judo
does not intensify on the ground and involve full
contact wrestling. Judo practices the art of throwing
the opponent on the ground and taking them out of
balance.
The origin of Japan's martial arts is vague, and what we
know of it, is more legend than truth. However, the
takenouchi-ryu martial art system founded in 1532 is
considered the beginning of Japan's jujitsu forms. The
system's founder taught jujitsu in a structured and
methodical manner.
For the next several hundred years, the martial arts were refined by Samurai who made a lifetime study of some twenty or thirty martial arts. Of these arts only one was based on weaponless self defense -- jujitsu. By the mid-1800's more than 700 different jujitsu systems existed. The most popular were takenouchi-ryu, jikishin-ryu, kyushinryu, yoshin-ryu, mirua-ryu, sekiguchi-ryu, kito-ryu, and tenshin-shinyo-ryu; the last two were instrumental in Judo's development.
It was during this time that Japanese politics disintegrated into disarray. Commodore Perry's visit to Japan in the mid-1850's also changed Japanese civilization by opening up a new world to them. In 1868 Imperial rule was restored (Meiji Restoration) and the decline of the Samurai class started along with a rapid decline in all martial arts. Although the government did not officially ban the martial arts, people were not encouraged to learn or practice them since the state was considered more important than the individual. Jujitsu literally fell into disuse. What was once the glory of the samurai was now looked down on and many well established jujitsu schools began to disappear.
If the budo concept was to survive the Meiji Restoration, it had to change and become a tool to cultivate an individual and make him a better person for the good of all. As a result budo found a home in physical education and sport.
Sport provided teamwork which was good for all and also developed the individual. It was a complete physical education; not just a game. Although self defense techniques were included in the training, emphasis was on using the techniques in a holistic manner. Dr. Jigoro Kano is credited with jujitsu's survival of the Meiji Restoration. He took jujitsu and adapted it to the times. His new methodology was called Judo.
In 1882, Dr. Jigoro Kano (The Father of Judo) made a comprehensive study of these ancient self defense forms and integrated the best of these forms into a sport which is known as Kodokan Judo.
Judo In the United States
America's first introduction to Judo was in the late 1800's. In 1904 Yoshiaki Yamashita, one of Kano's students traveled to the US and taught this Japanese sport to Theodore Roosevelt and West Point cadets. Although many local clubs and regional associations developed, attempts to organize Judo on a national basis were not successful. During the early 1930's Judo was taught at several colleges in California. In 1932 Kano lectured on Judo at the University of Southern California. In this same year four US Judo associations were formed and later became recognized by the Kodokan as representatives of American Judo.
In 1949, Ruth Gardener became the first foreign female student to study at the Kodokan. Her objective in visiting Japan was to study for second degree black belt ranking. One of the first Japanese women to travel overseas to teach Judo was Keiko Fukuda, 8th dan. She traveled to Australia and the Philippines, and later settled in the United States to live.
It was not until after World War II that American Judo began developing on a national basis. Many American servicemen studied Judo in Japan during the occupation and then returned home to teach it. As a result the Armed Forces Judo Association (AFJA) was established.
American Judo received a further boost in the early 1950's when General Curtis Lamay required its teaching to US Air Force personnel in the Strategic Air Command. In 1953 Judo was officially recognized as an AAU sport and national tournaments have been held since.
The Judo Black Belt Federation (JBBF) became one of the major governing bodies for Judo until 1954 when the United States Judo Association (USJA) broke off from it.
In 1962 the International Judo Federation was formed and became the governing body for Judo internationally. In the United States, the US Judo Incorporated is the governing body for Judo, along with member organizations USJA and USJF.
Kano made drastic changes in ancient jujitsu to suit the needs of his time; the acceptance of change is inherent in Judo. Everything about this martial art encourages us to make changes as required. In today's globalization of people and economy, Judo will undergo tremendous change. Its adaptability lends itself to the changing needs of society and the individual.
Today Judo is enjoyed by more than 400,000 men, women and children. There are many reasons for learning Judo. Judo provides exercise, relaxation, sport, an interesting challenge, balance, coordination, self-protection and self-confidence. Judo offers a fellowship unlike other sports, and develops a keen desire to coordinate mind and body. One soon realizes that sheer weight, height, strength, and age are not the governing factors of one's ability.
For the next several hundred years, the martial arts were refined by Samurai who made a lifetime study of some twenty or thirty martial arts. Of these arts only one was based on weaponless self defense -- jujitsu. By the mid-1800's more than 700 different jujitsu systems existed. The most popular were takenouchi-ryu, jikishin-ryu, kyushinryu, yoshin-ryu, mirua-ryu, sekiguchi-ryu, kito-ryu, and tenshin-shinyo-ryu; the last two were instrumental in Judo's development.
It was during this time that Japanese politics disintegrated into disarray. Commodore Perry's visit to Japan in the mid-1850's also changed Japanese civilization by opening up a new world to them. In 1868 Imperial rule was restored (Meiji Restoration) and the decline of the Samurai class started along with a rapid decline in all martial arts. Although the government did not officially ban the martial arts, people were not encouraged to learn or practice them since the state was considered more important than the individual. Jujitsu literally fell into disuse. What was once the glory of the samurai was now looked down on and many well established jujitsu schools began to disappear.
If the budo concept was to survive the Meiji Restoration, it had to change and become a tool to cultivate an individual and make him a better person for the good of all. As a result budo found a home in physical education and sport.
Sport provided teamwork which was good for all and also developed the individual. It was a complete physical education; not just a game. Although self defense techniques were included in the training, emphasis was on using the techniques in a holistic manner. Dr. Jigoro Kano is credited with jujitsu's survival of the Meiji Restoration. He took jujitsu and adapted it to the times. His new methodology was called Judo.
In 1882, Dr. Jigoro Kano (The Father of Judo) made a comprehensive study of these ancient self defense forms and integrated the best of these forms into a sport which is known as Kodokan Judo.
Judo In the United States
America's first introduction to Judo was in the late 1800's. In 1904 Yoshiaki Yamashita, one of Kano's students traveled to the US and taught this Japanese sport to Theodore Roosevelt and West Point cadets. Although many local clubs and regional associations developed, attempts to organize Judo on a national basis were not successful. During the early 1930's Judo was taught at several colleges in California. In 1932 Kano lectured on Judo at the University of Southern California. In this same year four US Judo associations were formed and later became recognized by the Kodokan as representatives of American Judo.
In 1949, Ruth Gardener became the first foreign female student to study at the Kodokan. Her objective in visiting Japan was to study for second degree black belt ranking. One of the first Japanese women to travel overseas to teach Judo was Keiko Fukuda, 8th dan. She traveled to Australia and the Philippines, and later settled in the United States to live.
It was not until after World War II that American Judo began developing on a national basis. Many American servicemen studied Judo in Japan during the occupation and then returned home to teach it. As a result the Armed Forces Judo Association (AFJA) was established.
American Judo received a further boost in the early 1950's when General Curtis Lamay required its teaching to US Air Force personnel in the Strategic Air Command. In 1953 Judo was officially recognized as an AAU sport and national tournaments have been held since.
The Judo Black Belt Federation (JBBF) became one of the major governing bodies for Judo until 1954 when the United States Judo Association (USJA) broke off from it.
In 1962 the International Judo Federation was formed and became the governing body for Judo internationally. In the United States, the US Judo Incorporated is the governing body for Judo, along with member organizations USJA and USJF.
Kano made drastic changes in ancient jujitsu to suit the needs of his time; the acceptance of change is inherent in Judo. Everything about this martial art encourages us to make changes as required. In today's globalization of people and economy, Judo will undergo tremendous change. Its adaptability lends itself to the changing needs of society and the individual.
Today Judo is enjoyed by more than 400,000 men, women and children. There are many reasons for learning Judo. Judo provides exercise, relaxation, sport, an interesting challenge, balance, coordination, self-protection and self-confidence. Judo offers a fellowship unlike other sports, and develops a keen desire to coordinate mind and body. One soon realizes that sheer weight, height, strength, and age are not the governing factors of one's ability.
