THE ART OF JUDO

It is referred to as the “gentle way,” but to watch the world renowned ‘sport’ of Judo in action would make anyone insist that ‘gentleness’ is a very distance relative. Developed by Jigoro Kano, who in 1882 opened the Kodokan in Japan to teach and further the art of Judo, this relatively ‘new,’ in martial arts years, form of fighting has survived many a fad and thrives today. Most of the common man’s exposure to Judo has been in the cinema and the Olympic games, which first became a formal competition event in the 1964 games in Tokyo. But for what most see, there is much more that lies beneath. Training in Judo creates building blocks to success, and teaches fundamentals to live by and ultimately a way of life to embrace. It not only mirrors life, but also prepares us for it.

Contrary to popular belief, Judo is not just a sport, but a complete martial art form, a defensive and offensive system, which links the mental, spiritual and physical aspects and adheres them to the artist. A distinct connection between these three aspects is what makes Judo more than just the ‘sport’ we often see, but a genuine combative martial art coupled with a spiritual journey.

Segmented and classified into three primary groups of techniques: Nage Waza (Throwing), Katame Waza (Grappling) and Atemi Waza (Striking), which is only used in self defense applications, Judo addresses training in a well structured manner. Body control (Taisabaki) and foot movement (Shintai) are also essentials built into the system along with setting up your opponent (Tsukuri) with efficient application of technique (Kake). 

This purest combination of means is what Judo strives to be. Through vigorous training and astute discipline, one can not only achieve great fighting skills, but also in turn gain an enormous amount of self-awareness, confidence and respect for oneself. It is an everyday art form that lives and breaths in everyone who is touched by it.

Judo in its purest form transcends the ‘sport’ aspect that has at times over shadowed the martial art itself.

Although the competition facet has grown to be the main cog for today’s practitioner (Judo ka), they must never lose sight of the art, its origin or ideals. In the competition ring, the Judo ka is strapped with rules that in real life situations are considered limitations. 

The tournament is a competitive platform that teaches the student strategy, efficiency, strengths and weaknesses and what total commitment really means. Simply put, it’s a chess match. Though at times, the competition ring can be a reflection of what adversity may lie before us in our everyday life and teaches us how to overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable and how to tame our very own ego that can sometimes hinder us. Though advantageous at times, competition can be a pitfall if one is not careful.

The pitfall being a false sense of martial truth, which can make a practitioner unbalanced and mislead him down a deceptive path of security. Win, lose or draw, competition is not real combat. It’s intense, tough, and scary at times, but it is clearly not the street nor is it a life or death situation. It is a place to learn, test skills and develop insight to self.

Competition should be used as a training ground, a tool. It is here where character should be developed. As one embarks on the journey of tournament competition, he or she will face not only an opponent on the opposite side of the ring, but also opposition, conflict and at times uncertainty from within. This is where inner strength and fortitude hatches, where training in the spirit of those who have walked this conduit of knowledge before us inspires, and where art becomes practical and applicable. It is a training ground where winning and losing makes us better people. It should not disillusion, it should enhance. The ring symbolizes what we allow or needed it to be. We are not to live for the tournament, but rather prosper through it. Judo with all its high impact throwing techniques and submissions is based on concepts far beyond the average individuals comprehension. 

It is here where Jigoro Kano separated himself from the norm and taught us to yield to strength, blend with ones opponent, to redirect and feel energy and subdue with maximum efficiency. Note that the intent or motivation of an attack, throw or a submission technique is not to cause damage to the opponent, but to control.

This principal of control comes from many a spiritual man who has realized that in order to defeat what lies before you, you must first open yourself to oneself and examine your own inner mechanism with consistent honesty and reverence. Judo can show us that perspective is an important element that should be included in ones training. Many believe that by just drilling, one can learn how to throw, but nothing can be further from the truth. One can also better his skills through visualizing, seeking out dynamic principals and the science of Judo or by repeatedly being on the receiving end of a throw, submission hold or choke.

The art of Judo teaches us about ‘intent’ and ‘balance’ which are aspects often overlooked. These concepts are a direct reflection of who we are as people and Judo ka, and why we train. It should never be our ‘intent’ to harm an opponent, be it in the street or in competition, but to off balance, subdue, control and ultimately retain our safety. 

One of the advantages of Judo is the “hands on” sensitivity and energy transfer. Translated or basically defined, ‘grip fighting’ (kumikata). Judo allows us to place our hands on an opponent thus getting the sensation of ‘intent’ if we permit ourselves to feel it. Keeping the mind free and the spirit positive allows us a positive energy transfer and opens us up to ‘actual intent.’ Sensing an adversary’s ‘intent’ is essential to any martial artist and will help him develop that ‘third eye,’ so to speak. This sense can be nurtured through self-evaluation in the spirit of honesty. One must review the path he has chosen and in the true light of Judo and the code of Bushido decode the reason for his practice.

The term ‘balance’ is often used in Judo. In randori (free practice) or sparring to the naked eye, the practitioner’s objective is to off balance his or her opponent and throw him cleanly off his feet. The term ‘break or off balance’ (kuzushi) is not only a physical reference, but also a state of mind. While gripping an opponent, the Judo ka must not only assess intent, and the physical aspects of combat, but also the mental factors. In a contest as in life, mental off balancing can cause an opponent to react negatively, pause, or question his position and intent thereby neutralizing defenses or delaying his attack. The result is often an opponent being tossed through the air or submitted.

Sacrifice and commitment are two key elements that educate and help any practitioner achieve the goals they may have thought were unattainable. Judo requires the sacrifice of ones body to the art, and to their partner that they practice with on a daily basis. Through drilling with a partner, one learns to sacrifice his body by being thrown so that the thrower (tori) can try to perfect his skills. This allows the one being thrown (uke) to work on his break falling, breathing, relaxation and concentration techniques while trying to prevent the fear of being thrown to seep into his consciousness. Commitment to the art, and the betterment of the physical and mental self as well as the actual techniques, teaches one that ‘half way’ is never the ‘true way.’ Being committed to your art through regular practice is what makes one grow beyond his dreams and is what makes dreams into reality. 

Though the ‘sport’ of Judo is alive and well in the hearts of many worldwide, it is only a mere portion of the art itself. The totality of Judo in all its glory, not only trains an individual for tournaments and actual combat situations, but also for the trials life has in store. The road is long and well traveled with a myriad of rewards that can only be obtained through diligent practice and respect for oneself, the art and the world that he or she inhabits. The ‘true’ art of judo is a carefully structured and ever evolving form that is a lethal mixture of principals, theory, concepts, practice and for anyone who has ever graced the mat, it is where magic happens.

    By Jeffrey R. Iorio