Do You Know

This should be a simple one for anyone who has practice judo. What does 'judo' mean?

Gentle Way. 'Do' is the Japanese for 'way' and 'ju' means 'gentle'. Judo was formed from techniques of Juijitsu which is another 'gentle' martial art. 'Empty hand' is the translation of 'karate' ('kara' = empty, 'te' = hand). As for 'Empty Orchestra', that's also known as 'karaoke' which some would say was more dangerous than any martial art.

What is the purpose in learning Judo?

The development of character, mind, and body so that one can contribute something of value to the world.

What are the other main principles in learning Judo?

The principle of cooperation (jita kyoei), working for mutual welfare and benefit. The principle of maximum efficiency (seiryoku zenyo), using the least amount of effort to achieve the greatest results.

Where did Judo come from?

Modern Judo is a martial art based on the traditional Jujutsu fighting and self-defense techniques of Japan.

What is the difference between Judo and jujutsu?

Judo is the modern scientific application of selected jujutsu techniques that may be practiced for self-development, physical education and sport. Jujutsu retains more dangerous self defence techniques, while Judo can generally be practiced with full force and complete safety. Check this description of Judo by Jigoro Kano himself.

When and where did Judo begin?

Judo was first officially taught at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo, Japan in 1882.

Who created Judo?

The father of Judo is Professor Jigoro Kano (1860-1938). He studied jujutsu at an early age and founded the Kodokan to teach the art of Judo.

What must every beginner learn about Judo?

How to fall (ukemi) and the rules of safety and courtesy.

What are some of the working principles of Judo?

The use of balance and off-balancing. The use of leverage to achieve greater power. Taking advantage of the opponent's strength. Taking advantage of the opponent's weaknesses. The value of yielding and giving way. The proper application of timing, momentum and force.

What is kuzushi?

Kuzushi is breaking the balance of an opponent.

What are some of the ways kuzushi can be achieved?

Hands: pushing and pulling. Feet: for example, blocking the opponent from stepping forward. Body: bending, pivoting, twisting or bumping the opponent to unbalance. Voice: distracting, or mentally unbalancing, the opponent.

What is kiai?

A sudden concentration of physical and mental power, combined with a loud shout used to defeat the opponent. Often also applied effectively to distract the opponent.

By what means is kiai achieved?

1. A sudden concentration of the abdominal muscles.
2. A forceful exhalation of breath.
3. A sharp loud yell or shout.

What are the main types of Judo techniques?

Nage waza (throwing techniques) Katame waza (grappling techniques) Atemi waza (striking techniques)

What are the types of Judo throws?

Te waza: hand and arm techniques, Koshi waza: hip techniques, Ashi waza: foot and leg techniques, Ma sutemi waza: rear sacrifice techniques, Yoko sutemi waza: side sacrifice techniques

What is a combination throw (renraku waza)?

A series of attempted throws in which the last one is successful.

What is a counter throw (kaeshi waza)?

A throw that is executed in answer to a throw attempted by the opponent, taking advantage of the opponent's movements or the loss of balance involved in his throw.

What are the types of grappling techniques (katame waza)?

Osae waza: mat holds and pins, Shime waza: choking and strangling techniques, Kansetsu waza: arm bars and joint locking techniques

What is tori and uke?

Tori is the person executing a technique such as a throw, while uke is the person receiving the technique.

What are the main methods of Judo training or practice?

Kata: formal exercise, Uchi komi: repetitive throwing practice, Randori: free practice, Shiai: contest

What is kata?

A formal demonstration of prearranged techniques of Judo. There are forms for throwing techniques (nage no kata) Grappling techniques (katame no kata), self defense techniques and other aspects of Judo.

When did Judo become an Olympic sport?

Judo, the only martial art that is a full Olympic medal sport, was an official competition for men in 1964 and has been in every Olympics since. Olympic Judo competition for women was added in 1992.

What are the referee and contestants called in a tournament?

The referee is called shimban. The contestants are aka (red) and shiro (white).

What combination of techniques are practiced in Judo?

Chokes, arm-locks, hold-downs, throws. Did you know that the "striking" in Judo was banned about 50 years ago because it was hurting people? A lot?

What is the age limit for Judo?

There is none.

How many belts are there, not including dans? (minus purple belt, some countries don't have a purple belt.)

7. The belts are as follows: white, yellow, orange, green, blue (purple), brown, and black.

The Olympics have Judo as a sport?

Yes. Women's Judo in the Olympics was introduced in 1992.

How many degrees are in a blackbelt?

10. The second color (kyu) belt is yellow.

What colors of gi can you get?

Usually blue and white

Is there any armor involved in Judo?

No. You can't wear any other gear besides your gi, because it would get in the way when you're fighting.

Where do the basics of Judo come from?

Ju-Jitsu. The basics of Judo are throwing, ground-work, arm-locks, and chokes.

What is Judo's closest meaning in Japanese?

Gentle Way. The reason it is called the "Gentle Way", is because the art relies on technique, not strength.

In what movie does James Bond 007, do a Judo fight?

Goldfinger.

What is declared at the end of a match, for the judges to pronounce the winner?

Soremade. Matte is to stop a fight while it in going on. Hajime is start. "Kiai" is a shout that you let out when you hit the ground. You don't have to say kiai, you can say "ha", or "ah" or moo. Whatever you would like to say.

What is a half-point in Judo called?

Wazari. Only one point is needed to win a match. If a tie happens, the 3 judges decide who the winner is.

In which year were male Judokas allowed in the Olympics?

1964. Men could do Judo in the Olympics in 1964, and women could participate in 1992. Women should have been able to participate earlier.

What does juji-gatame mean?

Cross armlock. Arm crush lock is ude-gatame, sliding collar necklock is okuri-eris-jime, and figure-four armlock is ude-garami.

What is the name of the person who is throwing you?

Tori. A uke is the opponent, or the person who is being thrown. Yami means dark in Japanese, and a dojang is the Chinese equivalent to a judoka's Japanese dojo.

What is kansetsu-waza in english?

Armlock techniques. You are not allowed to practice armlocks and chokes until you are 12. You have to be 13 and an orange belt to use them in tournaments.

About how many times a week should you practice Judo at your dojo?

3 times a week is the ideal amount of days.

What is the hip throw most commonly first learned by beginning judokas?

O-goshi. O-goshi is the most common because it is the easiest throw to learn. Harai-goshi is the sweeping loin throw, springing hip throw is called hane-goshi.

What are the techniques that may be learned in Judo, but never used in a tournament?

Atemi-waza. Atemi-waza, better known as striking techniques, were banned from tournaments because no armor is involved in Judo, and the techniques could cause serious injuries. Te-waza are hand throws, koshi-waza are hip throws, and tachi-waza are all the throws.

How do you spell the word for methods of holding in Japanese?

Kumikata. There are a lot of different kumikata. You can personalize your grappling by deciding whether you are short and small, or tall and gangly. For the short but strong, the best kumikata is to grab high on the opponent's left collar, and grab tightly on their right elbow.

How many European national federations are members of the International Judo Federation?

49. Africa 44, Asia 38, Europe 49, Oceania 16,and Pan America 40.

Marie-Claire Restoux was one of the most popular and most successful judokas. What is her nationality?

French. Among other titles, she won Gold medal in the 1996 Olympics, and two first places in World Championships (1995-1997).