Zuihitsu- Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

JUDO-RON 78- Judo is O.K. Judo can be a path of conduct for a better performance during a lifetime.
As I gather some notes to prepare a summary about my judo experiences, I came to realize that JUD is indeed !" Its teaching program is a path o# conduct #or a producti$e and enjoyable li#etime" %hether you ta&e Judo as a sport, see it as a #orm o# recreation, practice it #or the competiti$e experiences or study it #or its esthetic $alues, you 'ill #ind that all the components o# judo are ! because JUD (s ensemble is the )estalt o# all its parts" It is one o# many natural path'ays to learn ho' to better per#orm as a person"" *et me explain+ %hen Pro#essor Jigoro !ano trans#ormed the old Jujutsu techni,ues into his !odo&an Judo in 1--., he ensured that his in$ention 'ould conser$e the three principal attributes o# /artial Arts o# the past" 0hese 'ere #ound in the 1hinese, 2indus and Japanese philosophies that 'ere charted be#ore and during his li#etime" 2e diligently garnished his curriculum 'ith the triangular ideas o# S !N"!-#$!" 0hey represent the possible path to'ards a higher state o# accomplishment through the enhancement o# the spirit, the per#ection o# technical s&ills and the impro$ement o# bodily responses" A#ter 34 years o# being in$ol$ed 'ith the $arious judo spheres, either as a student, a competitor, a teacher, an administrator and as a manager, I am no' able to determine that Judo as an ensemble correspond to one o# the many natural paths o# learning and gro'ing as human beings" 5y being remo$ed #rom the daily mani#estations o# Judo on the tatami or in the Dojo, one can appreciate that these routes are a$ailable #or charting by all o# us 'ho ha$e the desire to #ul#ill an enjoyable and producti$e li#e" In retrospecti$e, I can emphasize that Judo is O.K. %ith the use o# this acronym, I 'ant to emphasize that the global Judo program teaches you to O%S&R'& 6 7 and to ac,uire the necessary KNO(- O( 6!7 that is therea#ter con$eniently trans#orming your beha$ior into a natural and harmonious )$# " 8uch #inality may last you a career and possibly a li#e time" *DO+

Keiko Shkon
$im of this presentation Using the analogy o# "!9D , this essay 'ill attempt to demonstrate the strength o# the original principles employed by Pro#essor Jigoro !ano 'ith his ne' Judo teaching program" Perhaps our demonstration 'ill go beyond the preliminary explanations that 'ere presented to most o# us 'hen 'e 'ere introduced to judo" 0here is a saying that goes: Let us try to think of the past in order to shine in the present:" 0his is condensed in the abo$e maxim o# Keiko Shkon as expressed by Pro#essor !osu&e ;aga&i"i 2ope#ully, the #ollo'ing discussion 'ill align us in that direction"

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Zuihitsu- Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

Judo principles as a frame,or- to a ,a. of life <irst, 'e shall try to situate the concept o# intelligence or morality associated 'ith the t'o Judo principles o# 8=I>? !U @=;? AIntelligent use of energy: and JI0A !? =I AProsperity of self and others" 0hese t'o principles set the parameters around 'hich the !odo&an judo curriculum ma&es emphasis to'ards a better employ o# body and mind #or the greater bene#its o# societies" As an educator, Pro#essor !ano introduced a strong sense o# morality 'hich is understood to comprise the display o# proper eti,uette, courtesy and respect to'ards others and to society in general" 0he intelligent use o# energy 'as intended to re#lect the continuous sel#9discipline, courage and tenacity in the pursuit o# sel#9 de$elopment by continuous impro$ement "0he gains obtained #rom the mental and physical training 'ould then be directed to'ards the greater bene#it o# the nation" 8uch ideals corresponded to the general political approach en$isaged by the leaders o# the ne' Japan under the /eiji restoration" 0hose leaders, under the Imperial tutelage, en$isaged Japan becoming stronger and ma&ing lasting lin&s 'ith the %estern po'ers 'ithout destroying the reciprocal cultures" 0he #ighting principles espoused by the !odo&an Judo 'ere in#luenced by the three $alues #ound in the ancestral 5UD line o# thin&ing" 0hese 'ere Shin-"i-#ai+ the mind directing the trained body to produce the ultimate united action" Pedagogically, Pro#essor !ano integrated the concepts and 'ent #urther in suggesting that they should be oriented to better ser$e the society and not be exclusi$ely oriented to'ards de$eloping an e##icient 'ar machine" As an educator, Pro#essor !ano 'as #amiliar 'ith 'estern educational systems" 0heir cultural in#luences 'ere noted in his o'n approach" ur current tas& is to examine the #easibility o# using the O.K acronyms to represent the steps o# Observation and Know how as &ey learning processes to capture the essential ingredients needed #or optimal Performance and bene#its as propagated by the concept o# Shin-"i #ai. Obser/ation and -no,ledge basis A ne' judo student is li&e a ne'born child about to disco$er an entire ne' 'orld o# images, sounds and acti$ities" As a child, millions o# objects 'ill be absorbed in the course o# a li#e time" As a judo&a, an entire ne' set o# elements 'ill garnish our judo career" 8ome o# these objects 'ill carry greater signi#icance than others" %e are all e,uipped 'ith a selecti$e process that acts as a natural body de#ense mechanism that 'ill accept or reject 'hat is percei$ed to be a bene#it or a major threat to us" 0he Judo program o# acti$ities responds to this criterion" In order #or the student to better manage this curriculum and accept or reject some o# the elements, 'e ha$e to be able to ma&e an appropriate recognition o# these components and be able de$elop and adapt se$eral scenarios to best ser$e our goals" %e cannot appreciate Judo at its #ull $alue, i# 'e are not exposed to it, understand its principles and ha$e the opportunity to practice the techni,ues under di##erent scenarios" *earning judo is being exposed to all its dimensions" %e need to de#ine 'hat 'e 'ant to accomplish and practice the most di##icult techni,ues under $arious conditions" .|P age

Zuihitsu- Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

Just ho' much in#ormation and practice can 'e be #ed, recognize or trans#orm to become more e##icientC =ach one o# us needs to possess and train the abilities to obser$e, absorb and de#ine 'hat is $oluntarily or in$oluntarily presented" 0he ac,uisition o# data and its trans#ormation remain indi$idual tas&s to be de#ined by all concerned" 0he total judo compendium as outlined in the !odo&an Judo 8yllabusii ma&es re#erences to the theoretical approach, the historical bac&ground, the mechanical explanations o# techni,ues and the exposure to judo as a sport practice as 'ell as the grammar contained in the !ata per#ormance" In the pre#ace to this boo&, >isei !ano, then President o# the !odo&an 61D3E7 said+ A!o attain great proficiency in "udo as a techni#ue$ it is needless to say that is most advisable for the student to receive actual instruction from an able teacher. %ut also$ he needs to be correctly informed of the basics and general aspects of "udo.: #he learning /o.age 0o help us better understand ho' to accomplish this &ind o# pro#iciency, let us underta&e a cursory $oyage into the current acceptable learning process in order to seize upon the principals elements associated 'ith gaining &no'ledge and using it to our best ad$antage" %e shall tra$el o$er the most e$ident phases that are+ exposure and disco$ery, accumulation and repetition, images recognition, $alues de#inition, attention and importance, impulses and mental energy, imitation, habit #orming and independence" 0hroughout our journey, I 'ill lin& the speci#ic judo attributes that 'e should consider" $ continued ad/enture It is generally estimated that #rom day one until 'e die, the ideas, the symbols, the images and the acti$ities our senses capture 'ill be allocated a place some'here in our brain" Un#ortunately, 'e cannot precisely identi#y all the elements that enter nor can 'e locate 'here they are par&ed" nce absorbed, these identities ta&e a li#e #orm o# their o'n and 'ill resur#ace either alone or 'ithin a combination 'ith others bits o# in#ormation to be processed, manipulated and extracted as needed" 8cientists ha$e in#ormed us that encountered images and acti$ities 'ill be trans#ormed as energy impulses and #orm permanent imprints in our brain that 'ill last #ore$er" %hen #ully a'a&e, during sleep or in $arious states o# unconsciousness, our mental animation process 'ill remain acti$e" %e ha$e no computerized #unctions to Astop or delete: this process" %e cannot totally eradicate the images #rom our mind but 'e can continually add to our repertoire" Judo is a no$el 'ord 'ith deep roots in Japan" Judo is the 'ord cra#ted by Pro#essor !ano in 1--. a#ter gi$ing serious considerations to de#ine and ele$ate his doctrine and system beyond the 'ord and &no'n practices o# AJujutsu":iii &!here were various reasons why I chose to use the term "u'utsu which described what was ordinarily practiced$ and instead employed the name "udo. !he main reason was that (O )way* is the ma'or focus of what the Kodokan teaches$ whereas "utsu )skill* is incidental. I also wanted to make it clear that "udo was a mean of embarking on the (O. B|P age

Zuihitsu- Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

)roliferation 8ince 1--., the 'orld and judo&a in particular ha$e heard the 'ordF some ha$e seen images, illustrations, demonstrations and e$en competitions" 0housands o# judo&as ha$e had the chance to enter the training halls or Dojos and practice it" /ost o# us, as specialists, ha$e learned more about judo history and principles as 'e prepared #or and gone through additional pro#iciency examinations" %e learned about the doctrines o# judo by $aluable teachers and peers" %e experimented 'ith some o# the natural la's that go$ern its conduct and perhaps trans#erred some rhetorical portions into more practical experiences at some &ey points in our career" All these $arious exposures to judo elements, concepts and practical experiments seem to #ollo' a stream o# e$ents that 'e see being repeated in the general learning process #ound in man&ind" &0posure 0he #irst premise o# learning is to be exposed to an object or element under $arious circumstances or scenarios" 8uch proli#eration o# experiences is bound to impro$e our recall mechanism" %e ha$e to be care#ul not to depend exclusi$ely on our recall abilities as these initial energy #orms do not possess a direct circuit program to trans#orm directly input images into corresponding output actions" 0rying to understand judo 'ith 'ords and images alone is not su##icient to obtain pro#iciency" Jujutsu techni,ues and doctrines associated 'ith per#ecting combat e##ecti$eness still occupy an important place in the !odo&an Judo curriculum" Pro#essor !ano 'ent #urther to emphasize the attainment o# mental and spiritual bene#its throughout his program" 0hat precise goal 'as not #ound in the #ormer martial art" A deeper process o# understanding is needed to complement our initial in#ormation about 'hat constitute the Judo that 'e no' practice" %e need to comprehend and absorb the $arious suggested methods o# obtaining technical impro$ements" 6)o&yo9>andori98hiai9!ata9 *ecture9/ondo7 %e need to trans#orm the Aac&no'ledged 'ord o# JUD Ainto practical #orms" Pro#essor !ano indicated that the path to achie$e such a trans#ormation 'as to be #ound in the practice 82I;9 )I G0AI" 2e said+ A5y practicing judo, the student 'ill be able to ac,uire the bene#its o# physical education, become $ersed in methods o# combat, and concurrently nurture the intellect and morality:i$

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Zuihitsu- Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

$cceptance or refusal %e surely recall the child that 'e 'ere once" It is the same one 'ho possessed the latent capacity to build upon gi$en in#ormation and 'ho relied upon its natural de#ense mechanism to easily appreciate 'hat 'as good or bad to its sur$i$al" In those early days, the decision to accept or reject 'as essentially biological as 'e lac&ed the mental agility to assess the degrees o# importance associated 'ith an e$ent" ;o' that 'e ha$e gro'n older, 'e &no' better" ur mental process 'as enriched 'ith past experiences 'hich permitted us to analyse potential impacts o# e$ents, situations or decision" 0his ability is re#lected in the youths and adults no' entering the judo circles 'ith di##erent mental and physical #rame'or&s" 0hey 'ill decide $oluntarily to #ollo' their introductory steps into to judo, cease all contacts 'ith 'hat it considered as non9essential or pursue a long term commitment to'ards it because they #ind su##icient pleasure and satis#action" !nfinit. of impulses captured instantl. %e ha$e to understand that the choices 'e ma&e to accept or re#use are partly in#luenced by the #act that 'e are constantly exposed to millions images or impulses captured by our senses o$er an in#initesimal time #rame" 0hose snapshots ta&e micro seconds to register in our brain and are ,uic&ly gone #rom their point o# entry as the initial conditions permitting their capture are constantly changing" Judo &no'ledge and demonstrations are no exception to this rule" %hat 'e see and hear is 'hat 'e #orm an opinion about" It is thus important to understand other #actors i# 'e 'ish to build upon these initial moments" 1re2uenc. of e0posures %e may ne$er be able reproduce those precise moments because the physical conditions and our mental state are in a perpetual mutation" 5ut 'e &no' that continual exposure to similar in#ormation or e$ents 'ill pa$e the 'ay to'ards a better retention and appreciation o# the in#ormation" 0o better gain #rom 'hat the judo program has to gi$e, 'e ha$e to #re,uently read about it, see it per#orm #re,uently, participate in the $arious e$ents and discuss its complementary elements 'ith others as o#ten as possible" 5ecause 'e &no' that all things are absorbed and #ollo' an internal and perpetual stream o# displaced elements, 'e can depend on their permanence" <or this continual #eed, 'e can be than&#ul to our senses o# hearing, smelling, tasting, $ie'ing and touching #or capturing and nurturing additional in#ormation" 0he ability to percei$e accurately all &inds o# physical objects depends on our senses, interests and on the habits o# obser$ation" It is easy i# 'e are indi##erent or untrained to loo& at a demonstration 'ithout really seeing it" 8imilarly, 'ithout interest in the subject, 'e cannot pro#it #rom its characteristics"

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Zuihitsu- Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

3anagement of mental energ. Just ho' can 'e manage this continual #lo' o# in#ormationC It is di##icult to respond unless 'e de$elop the mechanism to apply certain $alues that 'ill enhance their importance, signi#icance or dimension" Just ho' do 'e go about the tas& o# gaining such &no'ledgeC %e need to e$aluate the pertinence o# the captured images" %e need to #eel, percei$e, remember, imagine, discriminate, compare, judge and gi$e reason to 'hat is being presented" It is by these successi$e actions 6obser$ation, &no'ledge and per#ormance7 that 'e 'ill ensure 'e are #ollo'ing a coherent learning process that triggers the mind and body to 'or& in unison" 4earning from others As 'e realized, it is some'hat di##icult to concei$e and #ollo' all the intellectual steps that ta&e place in our mind" %e ha$e greater #acilities to judge similar mental states in others by obser$ing their beha$iors" I discussed this &ind o# bio#eedbac& in t'o o# my earlier essays"$ 8uch disco$ery can #acilitate the 'ay 'e respond and adjust in situations o# con#rontationF in a class room or during social gatherings" !een sense o# obser$ation 'ill assist us in judging di##erent actionsF de#ine rapports bet'een teacher, students and peers, understand the reasoning beyond other(s actions, identi#ying proper hierarchy in groups, ascertain 'ho is in control o# a gi$en situation and 'hat dangers are present" It is paramount that 'e get to &no' the real person hiding behind the physical mas& that 'e call the body" As such, 'e need to be able to understand the $arious states o# consciousness as they are projected through bodily expressions" 0he #ace, #orm, gesture, speech, the tone o# $oice, the laughter and tears, the poise o# attention, the tenseness, the anger and #ear are all obser$able images that can be e$aluated and gi$en di##erent le$els o# importance" In judo competition as in li#e9con#rontation situations, the target in our line o# sight must be captured and de#ined in order to address it" !nformation gathering Pro#essor !ano expressed the need to de$elop this ability 'hen he said+ A+hen you engage in a bout$ first you must ascertain your opponent,s physi#ue$ strength and special skills$ and what kind of character he has in order to make an effective attack. -ather as much information about your opponent as you can and also observe the environment in which you are situated.:$i In#ormation gathering about the opponent or the en$ironment can also be obtained through $arious lectures, technical exposIs, specialized boo&s on psychology and nature" It can also be enriched by discussions, ,uestioning and exchanges 'ith reliable persons or by #ocusing on de#inite subject matters" It is also captured by reading the history or biography o# people in order to ac,uire rele$ant in#ormation 'hich can contribute to our comprehension o# di##erent mosaics such as+ the e$olution o# someoneJs thin&ing processes, analysis o# circumstances pro$o&ing auto9re#lexes and identi#ying changes in cultural beha$iors"

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Zuihitsu- Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

"ifts from the en/ironment %e can summarize that all e$ents that exists in our en$ironment pro$ide us 'ith stimulus" %e also recei$e additional in#ormation #rom our muscles, tendons, and joints as they gi$e rise to some sensations associated 'ith 'eight, size and distance" ur ability to percei$e objects in their surroundings o##ers us an appreciation o# their relationships 'ith space and time" 0o gain the maximum return #or our e##orts 'hile practicing in the dojo surroundings, it is important to mix and match our exercises 'ith a $ariety o# partners and as o#ten as possible in order to ac,uire rele$ant in#ormation #rom e$ery exchange" 0he #aster 'e learn ho' to cope 'ith others( habits, the more con#idence 'e 'ill ac,uire" Another bene#it o# the exchanges is the gro'th o# #riendships seen amongst players" #he need for attention Is e$erything 'e do or see use#ul and necessitating to de$ote our #ull attentionC Just ho' much attention should 'e gi$e to ne'ly ac,uired elementsC %e ha$e to consider that our attention can be triggered by a sudden or intense sensory stimulus or idea, by the pursuit o# some elements o# interest or by a compelling desire to &no' something ne'" %hile 'e accept that the #aculty o# attention is partly a natural gi#t o# selection, 'e also ha$e to note that it is susceptible to #urther training and de$elopment" As 'e analyze the mental ac,uisition process, 'e are reminded that 'ithin the natural path o# disco$ery, there seems to be $ariable degrees in the intensity 'ith 'hich 'e attend" About those rhythms, many past psychologists reported that these #luctuations may occur #or a #e' seconds 'hen centered upon a simple object or last #or a greater time span 'hen assessing a more complex phenomenon" 0hose $ariations 'ere li&ely to be experienced 'hen 'e became all attenti$e to'ards something or someone that #ascinated us" %e ,uic&ly became attached or glued to the subject" ur captured attention made us #orget the existence o# other things that may ha$e been present during these same moments" 1on$ersely, our span o# attention 'ent do'n 'hen reading a dull story or 'atching a bad 0K program" Although 'e 'ere some'hat under the in#luence o# the in#ormation gi$er, 'e barely ga$e it su##icient notice but maintained our #ocus on other objects that captured our interest and ga$e us greater stimulation" Realit. chec-s In these $acillating moments, 'e re,uired #re,uent reality chec&s to bring us bac& to reality" 0his phenomenon leads us to realize that our obser$ation and span o# attention are constantly ro$ing about" <rom 'hat is being presented to us 'e ha$e the tendency to choose and zoom upon those satis#ying matters that deser$e more emphasis or consideration" bjects in need o# attention should pro$ide us 'ith some returns on in$estments by 'ays o# intellectual re'ards or physical satis#action" Judo acti$ities are surely not boring subjects since most students 'ill return to the Dojo to gain #or more satis#action"

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Zuihitsu- Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

1ocus %e may also ha$e noted that 'hen distributing identical degrees o# attention to'ards too many objects at a gi$en time, 'e get con#use and accomplish $ery little" 0he same is true 'hen 'e gi$e all our attention to a single object, as 'e are easily o$ercome by it" It is essential that 'e establish proper balance in our obser$ation methodology in order to color the elements 'ith di##erent perspecti$es, $alues, attributes or de#ine its relations 'ith others" 5y increasing the number o# attributes assigned to the objects o# attention, 'e gi$e them an enriched $alue and as such, they 'ill li&ely shine as a re'arding and pleasant encounter" 0he Judo lessons and demonstration should carry such characteristics" 0o highlight the need to #ocus on the right object at the proper time, let us read Pro#essor )eorge 2erbert 5etts o# Princeton Uni$ersity, 'hen he 'rote in his boo&+ !he .ind and Its /ducation$ 6December, .LLH7+ &0 college professor said to his faithful but poorly prepared class$ 1"udging from your worn and tired appearance$ young people$ you are putting in twice too many hours on study.1 0t this commendation the class brightened up visibly. 1%ut$1 he continued$ 1"udging from your preparation$ you do not study #uite half hard enough.vii

S !N5 "! 5 #$! the practical attributes of 6udo

abit forming %e &no' #rom practices that the #ormer 5UD philosophy 'as oriented to support the spiritual need o# the #ighters engaged in sel#9protection or 'ar9li&e acti$ities" 0he concept o# see&ing excellence is #ound in the pursuit o# the highest ,uality o# gesture or action to secure $ictory or sur$i$al" 8uch ideal attached to see&ing per#ection and pursuing continual sel#9de$elopment cannot be realized 'ith 'ords alone" =xperts are not created, they are diligently #ormed" 8imilar to the artisans going about the tas&s o# ma&ing something beauti#ul, ex,uisite and pleasant, 'e ha$e a need to trans#orm both the in#ormation and &no'ledge into practical and e##icient actions" 0hat brings us to discuss the ad$antages o# habit #orming" 2abits are #ormed because the cells o# our brains are capable o# being altered by repeated use and can retain certain traits o# these modi#ications 'hen the acts are repeated o$er time" 0his results in the old act being repeated and #ollo'ing similar patterns" As such, the old act is no' perpetuated and the action is becoming #aster, clearer and better" It is to our ad$antage to be exposed to similar images or actions as o#ten as possible and be able to reproduce them by de$eloping &no'n habits 'hene$er 'e can" 2abits do not just happen, nor do they come to us already made" In 'hate$er 'e underta&e, 'e ha$e to 'or& hard in order to trans#orm the acti$ities into rele$ant experiences" I# 'e al'ays stri$e to do our best, 'e 'ill not only retain but impro$e our #ighting spirit"

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Zuihitsu- Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

See-ing enlightenment %e ha$e o#ten heard that that practice ma&es per#ection" 0o support that statement, 'e can say that most impro$ements in s&ill, 'hether physical or mental, depend on our ability to #orm habits" %ithout #ormed habits 'e can only impro$e marginally" %ithout habits, 'e 'ould need to constantly redisco$er the ma&ing processes #or the thousand mo$ements 'e no' #ind so easy and natural to do" 0he attainment o# Judo expertise necessitates mental alertness, strong commitments, technical dexterity and pro#iciency as encountered in artisans belonging to highly s&illed occupations" 0o reach such a le$el o# enlightenment or 8A0 >I 'ill depend on our habit9#orming po'er, the de$elopment o# presentation accuracy that outper#orms others 'hile exercising e##icient control o$er our per#ormances" In each judo lesson, 'e learn symbols, #acts, processes, methods and mo$ements that accumulate and assist us in de$eloping proper responses to situations" 0he habit #orming ta&es hold and trans#orms those e$ents into automatic9re#lexes" It is through repetitions and habits, that 'e are able to per#orm more easily and 'ith less #atigue" %ith each recurrence, there is a lesser need to ,uestion the #easibility or exactness o# the act as 'e are getting accustom to it" It is the no$elty and strangeness o# an accomplishment that normally tire us most" 5ecause 'e can de$elop habits, it is possible to endure and perse$ere against un#oreseen di##iculties and impro$e both our character and personality" Just ta&e the AU!=/I: or bra&e9 #all exercise as an example o# good habit #orming" nce mastered, 'e can #reely go about #ighting and ne$er ha$e to 'orry about injuries or de#eat since our mind has been liberated o# our #ear o# #alling and 'e &no' 'e can get bac& up to pursue our goals" 3aintaining the spirit De$eloping habits contains certain dangersF the most e$ident is the release o# attention or #ocus" %e ha$e to remember that e$ery habitual act 'as at one time an initiation demanding our #ull attention" As the habit gre', our span o# attention may gradually reduce, until #inally it is drop entirely out o# our ac,uisition process" <or this reason, it is necessary to &eep our habitual acts under some &ind o# sur$eillance" 0echnical per#ormances must be re$ie'ed periodically #or possible modi#ications 'hich could ma&e them more e##icient" I# 'e &eep on ,uestioning oursel$es and see& to ma&e impro$ements, 'e 'ill ma&e good allies out o# our habits" nce a techni,ue is #irst learned, 'e may #eel a moment o# pride and satis#action" I# 'e do not practice it o#ten, 'e 'ill not #ully grasp a better understanding o# the technical principles that go$ern its ma&ing" 0o #ully comprehend the technical dimensions, 'e must come to appreciate it #rom di##erent angles and perspecti$es" %e need to obser$e, analyze, possibly dissect it and ideally reconstruct it to suit the occasions"

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Zuihitsu- Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

!mitation and !ndependence >epeat a#ter me, loo& at me, do it this 'ay, try thisM these are all social commands that con#irm our inclination to'ards imitation" %e ha$e to realize that at birth, 'e did not possess all the po'er needed to ensure our o'n sur$i$al" %e ha$e basic instincts that prompt us to eat, to drin&, or socialize" %e 'ere not capable to ,uali#y ho' 'e should beha$e" %e needed to learn #rom others ho' to interact and become part o# the culture" %e also ha$e an inherent desire to explore and &no' more #rom others" 8uch curiosities lead us into a search #or no$elties and #oment modi#ications in our beha$ior" Unable to grasp e$erything by oursel$es, 'e see& models to #ollo'" In the dojo, 'e 'ill o#ten turn to the 8ensei #or assistance as 'e &no' that they 'ill encourage us to diligently train our minds and bodies to'ards excellence" 0heir technical expertise and humanitarian beha$ior are ,ualities 'e see& in role models" ur needs #or disco$ery and imitation 'ill be partly satis#ied by their presence" 8uch in#luence 'ill be complemented by the selected imitations #rom others beha$iors as 'e normally #ind in the judo milieu" 0here are plenty o# examples #rom 'hich to #eed+ peers, administrators, competitors, coaches and #amily, they all pro$ide much needed interactions and in#luences" It is &no'n that Pro#essor !ano sa' the Judo curriculum as an educational tool that 'ould transcend his li$ing goals" Alex 5ennett reported that+ AKano advocated increasing one,s knowledge not only by reading books but also by nurturing various strengths to e#uip the individual to succeed in life. 2e saw 'udo as the vehicle to provide a framework in which the practitioner could gain knowledge of strategy$ build up physical de3terity as well as develop morality$ intellect and various traits vital to success":$iii #he rapprochement bet,een educational goals and the Kodo-an Judo %e can summarize the $arious elements o# our learning process model 'ith the three essentials plat#orms+ bser$ation, !no'9ho' and Per#ormance" ur discussion led us to described some o# the more pertinent elements associated 'ith ma&ing learning an easier ad$enture" 0hey 'ere+ ac,uisition, retention o# images and in#ormation through sensorial #unctions and obser$ation, de$elopment o# &no'9ho' by assigning characteristics and $alues, the right to accept or re#use the re,uirement #or attention and #ocus, the habit #orming and desire #or imitation, the management o# curiosities and the need to &no'" 0he combination o# all should ripe the necessary re'ards 'hich 'ill incite us to pursue sel#9de$elopment" Judo is to be considered as an ensemble o# cohesi$e products that 'hen used intelligently can ele$ate it as an art #orm" 8uch re#inement 'as #irst reported by Pro#essor 2igashi In one o# the earlier boo& on !odo&an Judo"ix 2e 'rote+ &"u'utsu or 'udo is considered the -entlemen,s art of "apan:"

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Zuihitsu- Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

1urther impro/ements 0he same author remar&ed that at the inception o# Judo, the curriculum 'as composed o# E4 combat techni,ues and 13 Asophisticated: 'aza" %e no' &no' that Pro#essor !ano, 'ith the assistance o# some o# his best pupils+ Imai, Aoyagi, 0anabe, ?amashita,Isogai, ;agao&a , 2oshimo ,0sutsumi and others, elaborated other mo$ements that increased those numbers o# essentials to 1HL" $er the years, other components 'ere added or 'ithdra'n to accommodate the >andori exercises and the !an9)ei&o tournaments" Inno$ati$e techni,ues 'ere mostly created to ensure greater sa#ety o# participants" As o# 1DD4, during the last re$ision, #ormal names 'ere casted #or each techni,ue #or easier recognition and uni$ersal usage" %e can no' say that a#ter discounting the $ariations, the !odo&an Judo has Hessentials techni,ues #or 0achi %aza and B. #or !atame"x Judo Scenario %ith this technical baggage in mind 'hich o##ers a substantial challenge, 'e enter the Judo practice hall 'ith a >ei and terminate our practices 'ith another pro#ound salutation" 0he #irst is to declare our respect and sho' our open spirit to participate in the training 'ith the best o# our abilities" 0he latter is a testimony o# than&s to'ards all those 'ho assisted us in our chores to pursue sel#9de$elopment" <rom the preliminary steps 'e are ta&ing note o# and practicing the right eti,uette and respect #or all things associated 'ith our training" 0he cleanliness o# our judogi , the salutations be#ore and a#ter exercises 'ith a partner, the training care and responsi$eness to instructions and the positi$e attitude 'e demonstrate are all part o# the mental dimensions 'e personalize a#ter pertinent suggestions and imitations" 0hese steps 'ill later de$elop into habits" 0he general technical program ma&es us embrace hundreds o# techni,ues, #rom basic mo$ements, methods o# brea&ing the #alls, #orms o# holding, use o# strength and #lexibility, preparation #or attac& or de#ense" 0hese are all contained in our port#olio o# &no'ho' that 'e ac,uire and 'hich 'ill be used to re#ine our attac& and de#ense tactics" 0hrough in#ormation gathering, obser$ation and imitation, 'e are bound to accumulate the necessary sa$oir #aire to #reely execute the techni,ues as part o# the >andori and 8hiai" 0he latter components #orce us to ta&e command o# our actions 'hen in$ol$ed in di##icult situations, to analyze di##erent ris& le$els and ma&e the appropriate judgment call to act at the right moment"

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Zuihitsu- Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

Judo benefits %ithout ma&ing a detailed analysis o# each component o# the judo program, 'e can assert that the judo curriculum itsel# o##ers good opportunities #or training the mental and physical endurances and those ,ualities can be reproduced, i# need be, to meet other li#e challenges" *earning o# the )o&yo, practicing >andori or !ata 'hich 'e complement 'ith selected #ormal lectures and discussions contribute to the expansion o# our technical &no'ledge" I# 'e are able to add to it the #re,uent analysis o# changing situations, 'e create a mental map o# opportunities that can be applied to other circumstances" *earning about the culture, the history, the $ocabulary and the rules o# competition contribute to'ards #urther de$elopment o# our memory and reasoning process" %hen underta&ing joint exercises, 'e 'ill #ind the need to exhibit sel#9restraint and control so that the rights o# others and their sa#ety are not in#ringed upon" 5y see&ing to 'in in #airness and learning to accept de#eat 'ith grace, 'e 'ill demonstrate the true spirit o# an accomplished judo&a" In all our underta&ings, as 'e see& to ta&e the initiati$e and do our best 'e can build strong social relations 'ith peers and enhance our personal pride and independence" %hen 'e &eep an open mind and heart, 'e soon can trans#orm e$ery encounter on the tatami into an opportunity to excel, thus becoming oursel$es a /odel #or others to emulate" *i&e'ise, 'hen in$ol$ed in e$ents outside the Dojo, our per#ormance can render the same 'arrior spirit" JUDO !S # &R&1OR& OK as a path of conduct. 7losing remar-s 0he !odo&an judo introduced in 1--. 'as meant to ser$e as the principal $ehicle to propagate the 82I; )I 0AI principles contained in the ancient 5udo spirit" It pro$ided #or+ 1" An ad$anced #orm o# physical education, ." A $enue to'ards technical excellence by exploiting s&ills competitions" B" 0he establishment o# an en$ironment #or sel#9discipline and respect to'ards others" ;ot e$eryone 'ill ha$e the opportunity to get ac,uainted 'ith the 'orld o# judo and not e$eryone is called to #ollo' this path" Judo remains a pri$ileged plat#orm to de$elop necessary learning s&ills use#ul #or the conduct o# li#e endea$ors" I 'ish you all a good journey" >onald DIsormeaux Judo 0eacher, Uni$ersity o# 0oronto, 2art 2ouse Dojo December .L1B

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Zuihitsu- Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

Reference8
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!osu&e ;aga&i, 2yogo Uni$ersity, %amis International 4orum, 5udo %orld 8ymposium,".L1. !ano Jigoro and the =ditorial 1ommittee Illustrated Kodokan "udo, !odansha Publisher, 0o&yo" Japan,1D33 iii !ano Jigoro, ;ao&i /urata, .ind over .uscle, 'ritings #rom the #ounder o# judo, !odansha international, 0o&yo .LL3, page 1D i$ Alex 5ennett, Jigoro !ano 5iography$ Innovative 5esponse to .odernisation, !odo&an Publication, .LLD, page 4 $ >onald DIsormeaux, "udo 5on 67 68, Additional training tools9interpreting body language, @uihitsu, .L1. $i Alex 5ennett, 1itation of Professor Kano, page 1. $ii )eorge 2erbert 5etts, !he .ind and its /ducation, Princeton Uni$ersity, = 5oo&, Dec .LLH $iii Alex 5ennett and 5iographic 1ommittee, "igoro Kano and the Kodokan$ 0n Innovative 5esponse to .odernisation, !odo&an, /arch .LLD ix 2igashi !atsuma, Le "u"itsu Kano, 5udo =dition, 5udo =dition 1DL3, reprinted .LL., =ditions l(=$eil, page 11 x Daigo 0oshiro, Kodokan "udo !hrowing !echni#ues, !odansha International, 0o&yo, .LL3, page1L
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