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Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Desormeaux

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Judo-Ron-83-Evolution, transformation and conciliation of judo
The beginning years.
In 1882, after several years of study at different Ju- Jutsu Schools, (Tenjin, Kyoto, Sosuishitsu,
Shibukawa, Shitin, Yoshin, Yagyu, and Takenouchi), Professor Kano made use of the special
instructions received from the last three imminent teachers in his geographical area (Iikido, Iso
and Fukuda)to start his own Kodokan Judo Institute in an annex of a nearby temple.
Over the first years, he and other colleagues elaborated his teaching syllabus composed of kata
and Randori. During the years 1902-1910, the two basic principles of Jita Kyo ei and Sei Ryoku
Zen yo were consolidated and later expanded in 1910. The Kodokan judo system was
incorporated into the teaching curriculum at various schools in Japan and it was a triumph of
Professor Kano over the other systems in existence in some regions. Professor Kano wrote his
philosophical concepts and presented them to the community at large via various conferences
dealing with morality and ethics for self-development.
Although the components of various lectures and teachings on morality and ethics were
delivered by Professor Kano when the classes of students were limited, they were later
discarded for a greater concentration of efforts and activities devoted to the Randori and Kata
practices. The first technical book about the skills development and the principles was written
with his approval by Masters Yokohama and Yoshima under the title Judo Kyohan or
instructional manual in the early 1900. There were very little instructional manuals in those
early years, noteworthy is the publication pertaining to a branch of the Tenshin Jutsu School
system written by Yabe Kichi in 1904. Thereafter, an English book pertaining to the
development of Ju Jutsu was written by Higashi and Handcock in 1905 and called Le Ju Jutsu de
Kano. Other books in French and other languages began to be published thereafter and we had
to wait until the Technical Commission of the Kodokan produced its first illustrated version of
the Kodokan system in 1953.
After trial and error, Professor Kano made modification to the judogi in the period 1905-07 to
give the pants more protection to the knees and the vest adjusted for freer movements and
elbows support. Simultaneously the rules of engagement and competition were revised in
1883-1922 and 1925 and were applied by both the Kodokan institute and the Di Nihon
Butokukai of Kyoto who was responsible to standardise different styles of teaching and set rules
for the arrangements of matches between schools.


Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Desormeaux

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During the following years, (1922-38),Professor Kano was involved more and more in the
establishment of the Olympic program in Japan and devoted much time overseas studying
other forms of physical education and systems while promulgating the Kodokan Judo system
wherever he went. The daily administration of the Kodokan was attended by a Council of peers
and a governing body of specialists. Judo as a sport became prominent and it was spread all
over the World by prominent Kodokan envoys until the 1950 when the International Judo
Federation was created and took the responsibility to expand its influence and leadership.

Transformation into competitive judo
Since the 1950, The IJF made periodic changes to the ways and methods of conducting Judo
Shiai. Amongst those are: modifications to the combat and security zones, the costumes
dimensions, introduction of prohibited techniques, rules for scoring with Waza ari, Koka and
Ippon, penalties for non-combat spirit, length of matches, golden score, weight categories,
judges functions, etc. The IJF also introduced the World ranking list, increased the frequency of
tournaments, the categories of fighters such as seniors, veterans and masters. It has now
become customary to review the rules at specific times to ensure a more visual and dynamic
presentation of judo as a spectator sport.
The new sprint to make judo presentation more interesting and challenging has contributed to
ensure the engagement of National Federation towards the selection and support of the elite
athletes. With this endorsement come the sponsorships by various organisations and sponsors
and the increasing support by research groups and specialists who assist athletes with their
training needs and developments.
It remains that for most of the judoka, the basic training and development are conducted in
remote dojo settings under the watchful eyes of the Sensei. Thus the importance of learning
the basic principles and their correct applications.
Whatever be the objective, it can best be attained by the highest or maximum effective use of
mind and body for that purposeby aiming at mutual welfare and benefit every member of the society
can live in peace and prosperity. Kano 1932




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Reconciliation
Emphasis to conduct more mobility drills.
The current tendencies in the training format for champion-judoka in the making are oriented
to build the stamina, the physical power, endurance and the control of the opponent with the
upper torso and a srronger grip. The preparation of the kuzushi is often made at close quarters
and to take advantage of the leverage offered by a strong Jigo-Tai position or from an
immediate response to the opponent launching into a direct and close range throw orKake.
Current training Randori preparation tends to emphasise this kind of limited mobility by both
players. There is an apparent under usage of observation power and sensitivity acuity in the
capture of signals emanating from the preparatory displacements of the opponent.
It is my view that more mobility training exercises could maximize the detection of the Debana
and thus make greater use of opportunities. Earlier detection of potentialities will take
advantage of the weaker positions presented by the opponent when still in preparation. In
compliance with the true spirit of judo, it is recommended that we do not commit ourselves
with preconceived and pre-patterned techniques but make use of the opportunities and act
speedily and just on time. In this context, one must make use of only sufficient energy or
technical skills to accomplish the task.

To increase the general mobility and ease of application of techniques, there should be more
light Randori practices in a controlled way by ensuring the freer application and reception of a
throw or hold on. Judoka need to feel free to move about, try the Kake at will and in all
directions, thus profiting from every moments. This kind of exercise is called the Yakusuku
Renshu and is known to improve the attack and defence opportunities by changing positions,
shifting the directions, using feint attacks, changing grips and ensuring better control of the
space while adapting to new surroundings. When taking such advantages, act boldly without
hesitation or preconceived ideas and just let go of all other preoccupations that may impede
the purity of your action.
Let me add here, the seven maxims espoused by Sensei Mifune 10
th
Dan (1883-1965) who
wrote in his book Cannon of judo that you should always take your opponent seriously: never
lose self-confidence: always maintain good posture: develop your speed and agility to perform
swift movements: perform all techniques with conviction and energy: always take advantage of
the opponents weaknesses: keep on training and experimenting. This Yakusuku Renshu
exercise is considered as a good example of performing judo in a semi-controlled situation
leading to the more advance Randori session and ultimately the Shiai.
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To say that you do judo is to demonstrate that you are capable to cope with all sorts of
changing situations and that you can at will, make use of the most appropriate response at the
time. Keep in mind that nothing is ever decided in advance, it is all in the making (Ki matte nai).

Professor Michel Novovich 9
th
Dan wrote in his book Zero Gravity in 2003 that the Yakusuku is a
most valuable exercise in that: once the students have understood intellectually the basic
principles of each technique they try to perform, they should try to increase the speed of its
performance and accuracy. They must proceed to transfer that knowledge into the dynamic
plane by ways of mobility exercises. Whenever possible, Tori and Uke must perform with the
maximum freedom and take advantage of the relative displacements occurring when there is
an increase moment of some weightlessness. All Waza should be carried out with mutual
consent. In so doing, both players can benefit from the impulse and accuracy of the application
while the other is able to comprehend and analyse the results of being thrown. (Cause and
Effect).
During the performance of Yakusuku, it must be recognized that we must work with the basic
principles of physics which pertains to mass, volume, velocity, positions of centers of gravity of
each judoka and the formation of a barycenter produced by the composite of the linkages
gathered by the two different opponents and the subsequent influence of the action-reaction
produced by the directions of the forces being exercised by both players.
Conclusion
Learning Judo principles and their practices must follow a logical process. There must be a
progression and the right time to escalate the experimentation. To embark too hastily into the
performance of hundreds of Uchi-Komi (repetitive entries) and or Randori (free practices of
sparing) may well induce bad habits that will be difficult to correct in the future.
Remember that we can learn from all things around us. Outside of us, all things become our
teachers.
Wishing you all a good session.
Ronald Desormeaux, Rokudan, Kodokan Judo
Judo teacher, University of Toronto, Hart House Dojo, October 2014

NB. This article contains copyrights and is registered with the National Archives of Canada Electronic Data Bank.
For further information please contact: Ronald Desormeaux@Gmail.com
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