Zuihitsu - Judo Notes by Ronald Desormeaux

JudoRon-85- Judo as a system of continuities

The more you get involved with judo, the more you discover that it has its own life cycle just as
everything else in the universe. In due times, all things have to transform into something else. Cells have
potential to lead to another form that will, in turn, follow its own course. Days will follow nights and
nights will appear for a given time and then, will engender another cycle again. These life cycles, some
simple others more complex, do not escape the learned observer, and judo must be regarded as a sort
of continuity in the attack and defense system designed by Doctor Jigoro Kano. So it is the dynamic
course of all life forms in the universe. The only constant is change itself.
In 1882, from the seeds of old martial arts in vogue in the 16 th and 17th centuries in Japan, Professor
Jigoro spent more than 50 years of research, experimentation, modification and improvement to define
his new physical education system based on educational principles and scientific foundations called the
Kodokan Judo which proved to be vastly superior to others in its physical and mental use of intelligent
energy when dealing with threatening situations. His new approach was intended to provide his
participants with a safer and more enjoyable environment where they could make use of their acquired
techniques and spiritual principles, to become stronger and healthier, thus more productive to society.
The educational and physical curriculum designed by Professor Kano and his closest assistants was
meant to ensure maximum protection from injuries while teaching advanced techniques based on solid
physical principles and laws of nature. Amongst those, was the intelligent use of balance and movement
to better cope with potential oncoming threats or forces. It promoted the optimization of energy at the
decisive moment to avoid direct confrontations and facilitate better and more flexible responses.
Professor Kano also desired to elevate his Kodokan judo to a new plateau of spiritual dimension when
he said:
I wanted to make it clear that judo was a means of embarking onto the DO or path towards
excellence.i

Zuihitsu - Judo Notes by Ronald Desormeaux

The Kodokan judo curriculum
There were generally three components within his curriculum to accomplish that goal;
First, the study of kata or basic technical and physical forms, where techniques are broken down along
the essential block of principles to be understood, viewed, and experimented with and then they are
reassembled as a total unit to be presented and practiced in pre-arranged scenario with partner.

There are 40 basic techniques to study in the Corpus called Gokyo. Students learn the different
protection and safeguards associated with aa fall, then, the posturing, the application of
balance, breaking techniques, various displacements of the body, how to enter or withdraw into
the right position to take advantage of the opponent weaknesses and apply the right physical
levers to master the opponent until a secure and safe fall is obtained. These steps are known
respectively as Ukemi-Kuzushi-Tsukuri and Kake).

A more dynamic presentation follows to demonstrate the gist of the technique in a situation of nonresistance offered by the partners in a semi-static posture and who take an alternate role of being the
thrower and the willing defender. A series of selected techniques is later presented as a set of formal
kata to illustrate the students comprehension and mastering of the offence and defence combination.
Some of these kata are particularly used to demonstrate the principles of throwing, countering, holding
on the ground, applying restraints to the arms and to the throat, defending against armed attack, the
flexibility and suppleness associated with multiple movements and the original concepts that influenced
the thinking of Kodokan judo and finally, the perception held by professor Kano as to the place judo fit
into the natural harmony with natural laws. (Nage-no, Katame-no, Kime-no, Juno-no, Koshiki-no and
Itsutsu-no etc.)

The second element of the curriculum is the Randori or free exercise where partners alternatively test
mastery of the techniques in order to get the feeling of doing dynamic and completed techniques.
Sparring sessions normally starts with a free exercise where opponents move about and try to throw
each other with increased resistance, evasion and movement. The score nor the number of falls is
calculated as this is a no winner situation. It is intended practice the seizure of the right opportunity, the
making of the right judgement followed by instant decision to act swiftly and performing the calculated
technical response. Randori also permits to gain mutual satisfaction from the accomplishment of the
techniques in more difficult situations and increased opposition. During the Randori, partners are also
getting used to receiving the falls without danger and thus more gain confidence in the execution of
their skills. The Randori exercise opens the door to those wishing to undertake competitive training
sessions and Shiai.

Zuihitsu - Judo Notes by Ronald Desormeaux

The third original aspect concerned the mental training and included the discourses about the
development and enhancement of intellectual qualities of reasoning, judgement, decision making and
learning the philosophical dimensions associated with the spirit of judo. The focus was on the higher
goal or the DO as he had so often emphasized to represent the need for continual self-improvement.
Professor Kano was the principal lecturer of these sessions and when too busy at other duties, invited
university guests were asked to address the students on the various facets of human virtues and human
contribution to society.
With de development of judo as a competitive sport, this unit was replaced by more physical training
leading to the preparation of candidates for their participation into higher competitions. Today the
remnants of this composite are found in Mondo sessions or discussions as the beginning or end of a
training session. Various cultures and federations have their own sports psychology and philosophies
that they dispense to groups of judoka or individual through special seminars, coaching sessions and
clinics outside the Dojo.

Judo as a sport
Judo seen as a sport is surely viewed as the next transformation on the continuum. It evolved in the
early 1900 with simple rules set by Professor Kano for regional contests against other schools and
regions. It has now become a much regulated combat sport since the 1950. As an Olympic event, it is
now an important part to develop the martial spirit, the physical stamina, the technical refinement, and
the mental properties sought after by all those seeking more satisfaction in accomplishing greater
technical feasts and savour the value of winning a grandiose event, not only over self, but over the
determined best opponents.

Zuihitsu - Judo Notes by Ronald Desormeaux

As a sport, it offers a variety of challenging combat situations. It is stimulating to all those involved, and
it provides occasions to expand and diffuse the knowledge to a broader audience.
Conclusion
We have to recognize that the majority of judoka will be satisfied with following the basic curriculum
and be quite satisfied with their technical accomplishments or improvements. For many reasons, the
membership will varied and others will venture to participate at local and regional competitions. Only
10% of the more talented will most likely consider stepping to new heights and accepting new and more
demanding challenges. Those few will have to understand that they form a selected group who is
prepared to undergo the necessary multi years of training regime and maintain their dedication over
years of hardship. For them, the end results are their only target of importance and they dedication is
not to be challenged. The elite level competition should by itself, foster the attainment of strong and
higher moral values. There is still a requirement to avoid access and prevent the desires to have each
performance become an act of egocentrism to the detriment of mutual welfare and prosperity.
What to expect as a next form of transformation for the judo as we know it today? A conversion with
the Brazilian style, some joint ventures with MMA or additional mixt with other jutsu styles are still
possible. It is too early to predict, but we have to be nave that no other change will happen. Time will
tell.
Ronald Desormeaux, Rokudan,
Judo teacher, University of Toronto, Hart House dojo
December 2014
Note: This article contains copyrights and is registered with the National Archives of Canada, Electronic
Data Bank. Commercial reproduction is not allowed without permission by the author. For more
information, please contact Ronalddesormeaux@gmail.com

References
K Mifune, Canon of Judo, Shinbudo-Shinkosha Publishing, Tokyo 1963 edition.

i Jigoro Kano, Mind over Muscle, Writings from the founder of Judo, Compiled by Naoki Murata, Kodansha International;
Tokyo 2005, page 19.