Introduction

Judo (lit. "gentle way") was originally created in 1882 by Jigoro Kano as a physical, mental, and moral
pedagogy in Japan. It is generally categorized as a modern martial art, which later evolved into a combat
and Olympic sport. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the objective is to
either throw or take down an opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue an opponent
with a pin, or force an opponent to submit with a joint lock or a choke. Strikes and thrusts by hands and
feet as well as weapons defences are a part of judo, but only in pre-arranged forms (kata ) and are not
allowed in judo competition or free practice (randori ). A judo practitioner is called a judoka.
History and philosophy
Early life of the founder

Jigoro Kano

The early history of judo is inseparable from its founder, Japanese polymath and educator Kanō Jigorō
( Jigoro Kano, 1860–1938), born Shinnosuke Jigorō . Kano was born into a relatively affluent family. His
father, Jirosaku, was the second son of the head priest of the Shinto Hiyoshi shrine in Shiga Prefecture.
He married Sadako Kano, daughter of the owner of Kiku-Masamune sake brewing company and was
adopted by the family, changing his name to Kano. He ultimately became an official in the Shogunal
government.
Jigoro Kano had an academic upbringing and, from the age of seven, he studied English and the Four
Confucian Texts under a number of tutors.When he was fourteen, Kano began boarding at an English-
medium school, Ikuei-Gijuku in Shiba, Tokyo. The culture of bullying endemic at this school was the
catalyst that caused Kano to seek out a Jūjutsu (dojo, training place) at which to train.

Early attempts to find a jujutsu teacher who was willing to take him on met with little success. With the
fall of the Tokugawa shogunate in the Meiji Restoration of 1868, jujutsu had become unfashionable in an
increasingly westernized Japan. Many of those who had once taught the art had been forced out of
teaching or become so disillusioned with it that they had simply given up. Nakai Umenari, an
acquaintance of Kanō's father and a former soldier, agreed to show him kata, but not to teach him. The
caretaker of Jirosaku's second house, Katagiri Ryuji, also knew jujutsu, but would not teach it as he
believed it was no longer of practical use. Another frequent visitor, Imai Genshiro of Kyūshin-ryū school
of jujutsu, also refused.Several years passed before he finally found a willing teacher.

In 1877, as a student at the Tokyo-Kaisei school (soon to become part of the newly founded Tokyo
Imperial University), Kano learned that many jujutsu teachers had been forced to pursue alternative
careers, frequently opening Seikotsu-in (traditional osteopathy practices).After inquiring at a number of
these, Kano was referred to Fukuda Hachinosuke (c.1828–1880),a teacher of the Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū of
jujutsu, who had a small nine mat dojo where he taught five students.Fukuda is said to have emphasized
technique over formal exercise, sowing the seeds of Kano's emphasis on randori , randori, free practice)
in judo.

On Fukuda's death in 1880, Kano, who had become his keenest and most able student in both randori
and kata ( pre-arranged forms), was given the densho (, scrolls) of the Fukuda dojo.Kano chose to
continue his studies at another Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū school, that of Iso Masatomo (c.1820–1881). Iso
placed more emphasis on the practice of "kata", and entrusted randori instruction to assistants,
increasingly to Kano.[10] Iso died in June 1881 and Kano went on to study at the dojo of Iikubo
Tsunetoshi (1835–1889) of Kitō-ryū .Like Fukuda, Iikubo placed much emphasis on randori, with Kitō-ryū
having a greater focus on nage-waza (throwing techniques).
Founding of the Kodokan

In February 1882, Kano founded a school and dojo at the Eisho-ji ,a Buddhist temple in what was then
the Shitaya ward of Tokyo (now the Higashi Ueno district of Taitō ward). Iikubo, Kano's Kitō-ryū
instructor, attended the dojo three days a week to help teach and, although two years would pass before
the temple would be called by the name Kōdōkan (Kodokan, "place for expounding the way"), and Kano
had not yet received his Menkyo (certificate of mastery) in Kitō-ryū, this is now regarded as the Kodokan
founding.

The Eisho-ji dojo was originally shoin. It was a relatively small affair, consisting of a 12 jo (214 sq ft)
training area. Kano took in resident and non-resident students, the first two being Tomita Tsunejirō and
Shiro Saigo. In August, the following year, the pair were granted shodan (first rank) grades, the first that
had been awarded in any martial art.

Judo versus jujutsu

Central to Kano's vision for judo were the principles of seiryoku zen'yō (Maximum efficiency, minimum
effort) and jita kyōei (mutual welfare and benefit). He illustrated the application of seiryoku zen'yō with
the concept of jū yoku gō o seisu (, softness controls hardness):

jūdō (柔道, "Judo"), written in kanji

In short, resisting a more powerful opponent will result in your defeat, whilst adjusting to and evading
your opponent's attack will cause him to lose his balance, his power will be reduced, and you will defeat
him. This can apply whatever the relative values of power, thus making it possible for weaker opponents
to beat significantly stronger ones. This is the theory of ju yoku go o seisu.

Kano realised that seiryoku zen'yō, initially conceived as a jujutsu concept, had a wider philosophical
application. Coupled with the Confucianist-influenced jita kyōei, the wider application shaped the
development of judo from a bujutsu ( martial art) to a budō (martial way). Kano rejected techniques that
did not conform to these principles and emphasised the importance of efficiency in the execution of
techniques. He was convinced that practice of jujutsu while conforming to these ideals was a route to
self-improvement and the betterment of society in general.He was, however, acutely conscious of the
Japanese public's negative perception of jujutsu:

At the time a few bujitsu (martial arts) experts still existed but bujitsu was almost abandoned by the
nation at large. Even if I wanted to teach jujitsu most people had now stopped thinking about it. So I
thought it better to teach under a different name principally because my objectives were much wider
than jujitsu.

Kano believed that "jūjutsu" was insufficient to describe his art: although jutsu means "art" or "means",
it implies a method consisting of a collection of physical techniques. Accordingly, he changed the second
character to dō ,meaning way, road or path, which implies a more philosophical context than jutsu and
has a common origin with the Chinese concept of tao. Thus Kano renamed it Jūdō ( judo).
Judo − Rules

Judo was initially being used as a self-defence technique involving much deadly practice. Later, it has
been modified for safe practice among the students. So International Judo Federation added many rules
to make it safe.

The rules regarding safety in Judo are as follows:

 Intentionally harming an opponent is abandoned.

 One cannot punch or kick his opponent.

 You cannot touch the opponent’s face.

 Attacking the joints other than elbows is not allowed.

 Head dives are also not permitted.

  Some techniques like Kawazu gake and Kami basami are not allowed.

 Neither of the competitors is allowed to wear any hard metallic object during the competition.

Rules
Etiquette in Judo
Before stepping into the mat, the contestant must bow. Before starting and after ending the game the
contestant must bow to each other and also to the competition area. If anyone will use bad body gesture
or use foul languages, then he/she will be debarred from the tournament.

Stalling is not permitted in the game. One cannot use defensive posture either. If one disregards the
order of the judge, then he/she will be disqualified for the entire tournament.

Judo − Competition Area

It must be played upon a stage of having a minimum size of 14×14 meters. The rules also say that the
stage must be built from tatami. It is a mat that is used for the flooring purpose of the traditional martial
arts of Japan.
Penalties in Judo
Generally, two types of penalties are there in Judo. One is shido and another is hansoku. Shido is
awarded when a competitor remains in longer period of nonaggression. It is also awarded for minor rule
breach. After two warnings, one shido is awarded. Number of shidos decides the winner in case the
match ends in tie.

On the other hand, four shidos will make one hansoku. Hansoku is also awarded for major rule violation.
There may be a chance that he/she may get disqualified from the tournament.

Start of a Contest
Rules Prior to a judo contest (shiai) one contestant is assigned a blue sash to wear in addition to their obi
(belt) and/or they will be asked to wear a blue Judogi. After the contestants have bowed and stepped
forward, the referee announces hajime (begin) to start the contest.

Scoring a Contest
Scores

Ippon (full point)

Waza-ari (almost ippon, half point)

Yuko (almost waza-ari)

Objective
In Judo competition the objective is to score an ippon (one full point). Once such a score is obtained the
competition ends. An ippon can be scored by one of the following methods:

 Executing a skillful throwing technique which results in one contestant being thrown largely on
the back with considerable force or speed.
 Maintaining a pin for 25 seconds.
 One contestant cannot continue and gives up.
 One contestant is disqualified for violating the rules (hansoku-make).
  Applying an effective armbar or an effective stranglehold (this does not usually apply for
children).
 Earning two waza-ari (half point). A waza-ari can be earned by: 1) a throwing technique that is
not quite an ippon (for example the opponent lands only partly on the back, or with less force
than required for ippon); 2) holding one contestant in a pin for 20 seconds; or 3) when the
opponent violates the rules (shido) three times.
 If the time runs out with neither contestant scoring an ippon, then the referee will award the
win to the contestant who has the next highest score. For example, a contestant with one waza-
ari would win against an opponent who scored 4 yuko.

Scoreboards

Waza Ari ---- 02

Yuko ----- 01

Ippon. -----04

Penalties in Judo
Generally, two types of penalties are there in Judo. One is shido and another is hansoku. Shido is
awarded when a competitor remains in longer period of nonaggression. It is also awarded for minor rule
breach. After two warnings, one shido is awarded. Number of shidos decides the winner in case the
match ends in tie.

On the other hand, four shidos will make one hansoku. Hansoku is also awarded for major rule violation.
There may be a chance that he/she may get disqualified from the tournament.
Judo Terminology – Key Words &
Commands
This page focuses on Judo terminology. This Japanese martial arts style utilizes Japanese words and
commands as part of their training. These Japanese words are used for warm-ups, training sessions, Judo
kata, counting during stretching, etc. For the Japanese names of specific Judo techniques (i.e. Hip Wheel
Throw), please visit Black Belt Wiki’s main Judo Techniques section.

Judo Techniques

Judo Terms & Commands – English to Japanese

The person performing a technique – Tori

The person on the receiving end of a technique – Uke

Attention – Keiotsuke

Begin – Hajime

Belt – Obi

Bow – Rei

Break Your Fall – Ukemi

Carry On (continue the contest) – Yoshi

Collar of Uniform – Eri

Counter Techniques – Kaeshi Waza

Evasion – Sukasu

Foot – Ashi
Foot Techniques – Ashi Waza

Form or Pattern – Kata

Free Style Practice (non-scripted) – Randori

Give Up – Maitta

Grappling Techniques – Katame Waza

Ground Techniques – Ne Waza

Hand Techniques – Te Waza

Hip Techniques – Koshi Waza

Joint Locks – Kansetsu Waza

Kick – Geri or Keri

Kneeling Bow – Zarei

Martial Arts School – Dojo

Numbers – For the Japanese words for numbers such as 1-100, please visit the Japanese Numbers
section.

Please – Dozo

Practice/Training Mat – Tatami

Punch – Tsuki or Zuki

Referee – Shinpan

Sacrifice Techniques – Sutemi Waza

School (Judo) – Dojo

Shoulder Throw – Seoi-Nage

Stance – Dachi

Start – Hajime
Stop – Matte

Sweeping Techniques – Harau

Teacher/Instructor – Sensei

Technique – Waza

Thank You Very Much – Arigatou Gozaimasu (or Domo Arigatou Gozaimasu)

Throw – Nage

Tournament, Contest or Sparring Match – Shiai

Unbalancing An Opponent – Kuzushi

Uniform – Judogi

Warning – Keikoku

Judo Terms & Commands – Japanese to English

Arigatou Gozaimasu (or Domo Arigatou Gozaimasu) – Thank You Very Much

Waza – Foot Techniques

Dachi – Stance

Dojo – School (Judo)

Dozo – Please

Eri – Collar of Uniform

Geri (Keri) – Kick

Hajime – Begin/Start

Harau – Sweeping Techniques

Judogi – Uniform

Kaeshi Waza – Counter Techniques

Kansetsu Waza – Joint Locks

Kata – Form or Pattern

Katame Waza – Grappling Techniques

Keikoku – Warning

Keiotsuke – Attention

Koshi Waza – Hip Techniques

Kuzushi – Unbalancing An Opponent

Matte – Stop

Maitta – Give Up

Nage – Throw

Ne Waza – Ground Techniques

Obi – Belt

Randori – Free Style Practice (non-scripted)

Rei – Bow

Sensei – Teacher/Instructor

Seoi-Nage – Shoulder Throw

Shiai – Tournament, Contest or Sparring Match

Shinpan – Referee

Sukasu – Evasion

Sutemi Waza – Sacrifice Techniques

Tatami – Practice/Training Mat

Te Waza – Hand Techniques

Tori – The person performing a technique

Tsuki – Punch

Uke – The person on the receiving end of a technique

Ukemi – Break Your Fall

Waza – Technique

Yoshi – Carry On (continue the contest)

Zara – Kneeling Bow

Judogi. Dojo
Judo waza (techniques)
Top 10 Greatest Judo Players Of All Time

10. Hitoshi Saito

Former Japanese Judo artist Hitoshi Saito achieved two consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games
and is the tenth place inductee in our list of top 10 greatest judo players of all time. He first won the gold
medal at the 1983 World Judo Championships in the open weight division and, the following year won
another gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics in the heavyweight division.

9. Wim Ruska

Legendary former Dutch Judo artist Willem “Wim” Ruska is the only judo player in history to win two
judo gold medals in one Olympics, a feat that he achieved in the heavyweight and absolute categories in
the 1972 Olympic Games. He is largely noted as one of the most dominant judo players during his
heydays and is the ninth place inductee in our list of top 10 greatest judo players of all time.

8. David Douillet

Retired French judo artist David Douillet is also noted as a political activist and is the eighth place
inductee in our list of top 10 greatest judo players of all time. He first won the Olympic gold medal at the
1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and defended his title successfully again at the 2000 Sydney Olympic
Games both in the heavyweight division. David Douillet, during his active judo career, won four world
championship titles and a European title.

7. Teddy Riner

French judo artist Teddy Pierre-Marie Riner is the first male judo player to achieve seven World
Championships gold medals and is the seventh place inductee in our list of top 10 greatest judo players
of all time. He won the European Championship gold medals four times and also an Olympic gold medal
in his active career of Judo. He is currently coached by Christian Chaumont and Benoit Campargue and is
a member of the Levallois Sporting Club in Levallois-Perret.

Teddy Riner first won the World and European junior titles in 2006 and achieved his first senior title in
the European Judo Championships in Belgrade in 2007. He became the youngest ever world champion
after winning the 2007 World Judo Championships in Rio de Janeiro. Riner, for his excellence in Judo,
received the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur in 2013.

6. Ilias Iliadis
Georgian-born Greek judo artist Ilias Iliadis holds the honor of being the first athlete to march into the
Bird’s Nest Stadium at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and is the sixth place
inductee in our list of top 10 greatest judo players of all time. He started competing for Greece in
international events since his childhood and achieved the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Summer
Olympics in the half-middleweight division.

5. Masato Uchishiba

Japanese judo player Masato Uchishiba won two gold medals in the Olympic Games. He now also holds
the fifth place in our list of top 10 greatest judo players of all time. He first won the Olympic gold at the
2004 Athens Summer Olympics in the men’s under 66kg category while defeating Jozef Krnáč of Slovakia,
and repeated the same at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics while defeating Benjamin Darbelet of
France.

4. Anton Geesink

Dutch 10th-dan judo Artist Antonius Johannes “Anton” Geesink was a two-time World Judo Champion.
Besides, he now holds the fourth place in our list of top 10 greatest judo players of all time. He won the
Olympic gold medal in 1964 and achieved 21 European championship titles in his active sports career.
Geesink remains one of the few 10th Dan grade judo artists officially recognized by the IJF. And, he holds
that feat even after his death on August 27, 2010,

3. Tadahiro Nomura

Judi fans consider Japanese competitor Tadahiro Nomura as one of the most famous judo artists of all
time. He now also holds the third place in our list of top 10 greatest judo players of all time. He made his
name as the first and the only Judo player to win three Olympic gold medals consecutively. And, he
achieved that feat in the extra lightweight event. Nomura won his first Olympic gold while defeating
Girolamo Giovinazzo at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics on July 26, 1996. He then won the All-Japan
Selected judo championships title in April 1996.

2. Yasuhiro Yamashita

Japanese Judo Artist Yasuhiro Yamashita currently works as the instructor of several reputed
organizations which includes the International Judo Federation. He also works with the All-Japan Judo
Federation and the Tokai University. He has earned his place as one of the most successful judo
competitors of all time. Besides, he also holds the second place in our list of top 10 greatest judo players
of all time.

1. Kanō Jigorō

Fans consider Japanese martial artist Kanō Jigorō as

the founder of judo. He also dubbed as the pioneer for making Judo the first Japanese martial art to gain
widespread international recognition. And with all these, he surely deserves the top place among the
greatest judo players of all time. Till now, his fans note him for his amazing contribution towards the
sports of Judo. His admirers also note him for his mottos that state, “Mutual Welfare and Benefit” and
“Maximum Efficiency with Minimum Effort”.
Judo Tournaments

Judo competitions by country

Judo at multi-sport events

African Judo Championships

Asian Judo Championships

European Judo Championships

European Judo Open Championships

IBSA European Judo Championships

IJF World Masters

IJF World Tour

Judo Grand Prix

Judo Grand Slam

Pan American Judo Championships

W
World Judo Championships

Olympics

Major achievements in judo by nation

2018 Oceania Judo Championships

African Judo Championships

Asian Judo Championships

Australian National Judo Championships

Commonwealth Judo Championships

European Judo Championships

European Judo Open Championship

IBSA European Judo Championships

Kodokan–Totsuka rivalry

Masahiko Kimura vs. Hélio Gracie

O
OJU Senior Championships

Pan American Judo Championships

UAAP Judo Championship

W --- World Judo Championships

INDEX

 Introduction
 History and
philosophy
 Judo rule
 Terminology
 Technique
 Famous
personalities
 Tournament