WHAT IS JUDO? THE BJC PERSPECTIVE (By: Robin Otani - President)

Judo is a Japanese form of ‘one-to-one’ wrestling, it originated from the lethal Japanese form Jujitsu that was practised for centuries in Japan as a self-defence and unarmed combat. The word Judo translates as the “gentle” or “supple way”.

In my opinion Judo is a form of real competitive fighting skills that qualifies as both an Olympic Sport and Martial Art.

In the late 1800’s a Japanese man called Jigoro Kano having studied various forms of Jujitsu devised a new form with all the lethal and maiming techniques removed from combat practice, some he retained in demonstration form known as Kata. He named this form or style as ‘Judo’ and in 1882 established his own school, which he called Kodokan from which the name ‘Kodokan Judo’ evolved.

This safer style enabled full competitive combat to take place without risk of deliberate permanent injury to either contestant. In the 1930’s Jigoro Kano visited England and the resident jujitsu teachers, Yukio Tani,
Gunji Kozumi and Masutaro Otani were awarded Kodokan grades and thereon were committed to promote Judo. Masutaro Otani 1886 - 1977 Yukio Tani 1881 -1950 Gunji Koizumi 1885 - 1965.

In 1955 Kenshiro Abbe came to England and had a profound effect on British Judo and Japanese Martial Arts in the UK.1958 Kenshiro Abbe founded the British Judo Council. Additionally Abbe Sensei founded British Karate, Kyudo, Aikido and Kendo Councils and also the International Budo Council (IBC).

In 1962 Akinori Hosaka came to England as a Coach to the British Judo Association. Today Hosaka Sensei is Chief Examiner and Technical Advisor to the BJC with a deep commitment to promoting ‘BJC Judo’.

Mrs. Michiko Whyman is a specialist in Kata and a Technical Advisor to the BJC.

Robin Otani has been the current President of the BJC since 1977 as a 5th dan but, by choice, now holds no grade. Presented with a red and white belt without grade by Mr.Hosaka. see pic >

G.R. Mealing 7th Dan BJC Vice President is a long serving trusted aide of the President.

The physical objectives of Judo.
The objectives are, whilst standing to throw your opponent cleanly on their back, part back, or side with impetus and control; this will score Ippon (full point). Obtaining a submission from an applied arm lock or strangulation whilst standing or during groundwork can also score an Ippon. (It should be noted that joint locks are restricted to the elbow joint). Additionally in groundwork Ippon can be scored by one of the contestants controlling the other largely on their back, for an agreed period of time in a recognised hold-down. Both arm locks and strangles are applied to the point of submission and no further.
A typical judo club training session would comprise:

i) General warming up exercises
ii) Breakfall practice
iii) Judo specific exercise
iv) Judo specific technique coaching
v) Free practice - standing and groundwork (competitive exploratory free fighting)
vi) General cool down exercises