NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/rec/martial/17233

Internet Message Format | 1993-01-22 | 6.4 KB

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From: [e-mail] (David Scheid)
Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts
Subject: Judo - it's history
Date: 22 Jan 1993 18:47:28 GMT
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The following " " are taken from "Judo Formal Techniques, A Complete
Guide to Kodokan Randori no Kata", by Tadao Otaki and Donn F. Draeger,
Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc. 1983, ISBN 0-8048 1187-3.

Borrowed without permission - maybe if I help to increase sales, I'll
be forgiven. :-) A truely classic work.

"`Jujutsu' is a generic term that is commonly applied to all Japanese
systems of hand-to-hand combat in which the operator is minimally armed..."

"But as the warrior class became less important in Japanese society, and
eventually and anachronism, the meaning of jujutsu changed..."

"By the nineteenth century jujutsu styles were largely a collection of
tactics that could be used without weapons against either an armed or an
unarmed adversary..."

"Over seven hundred different styles of jujutsu had emerged by the end of the
nineteenth century. The development of jujutsu is indicative of a rise in
freedom of expression among the Japanese people, and an important sign
of the vast social changes which were sweeping Japan."

"Traditionally, all Japanese classical martial arts called for complete
mastery of technique. Only through training carried out over a period
of many years was a practitioner able to become an expert. Zealous,
dedicated practice led the warrior to maturity of technique and mental
acuity. Kata was the only method of training through which the warrior
could safely practice his fighting arts with the members of his Ryu."

"Casual training was not tolerated, and every training session approximated
the conditions of the battlefield. Through use of Kata the warrior harmonized
himself in the simple sense of developing efficient motor skills, and
gained courage by deepening his confidence in himself. By harmonizing himself
in this fashion, the warrior embodied the nobility of his spirit."

"Kano followed the lead of the founder of the Jikishin Ryu in making the
transition from a -jutsu form, primarily concerned with martial matters,
to a -do form, where emphasis is on character development and the perfection
of the individual."

"Kano borrowed liberally from jujutsu kata..."

"Kano also understood that idealism is an esential ingredient in all
classical Japanese martial arts and ways; and he was well aware of the
failure of some jujutsu styles to confront combative reality."

"Kodokan Judo, in its formative days, had three objectives: (1) to
develop the physical body, (2) to train the mind, and (3) to develop
combative efficiency. In Kano's words (1889): `[Judo] is the study of
techniques with which you may kill if you wish to kill, injure if you
wish to injure, subdue if you wish to subdue, and, when attacked, defend
yourself.'"

"It was intended by Kano that Kodokan Judo be a balanced and practical
entity, composed of physical and spiritual aspects. Kata plays an important
role in the achievement of this balance."

"From the records available, one cannot be certain as to whether Kano
intended Randori (free exercise) or Kata (prearranged exercise) to be
foremost in the development of Kodokan Judo. Some historians of Judo
maintain that if one considers carefully the general line of Kano's
thought, it becomes evident that Kata takes precedence over Randori. Others,
however, point out ... although Kata must have playend an important part
in the early stages of his Judo planning, it is more likely that Randori
held first place in his scheme."

"By the late 1880s Kano was giving more weight to Kata by separating it
from Randori and requiring all judoists to study it as a supplement to
Randori."

Kano wrote, "Although Kodokan Judo begins with the Kata and Randori,
unlike jujutsu, it is based on the priciples of physical education and
lays stress on the harmonious development of the body muscles."

Kano wrote, "In order to practice Judo with the object of physical education,
one must choose the techniques which allow uniform motion in every part
of the body...What is deficient in randori must be supplemented by kata."

"In April 1920, Kano declared his awareness of the need for more kata study
to improve the grapplying skills of Kokokan judoists. He records in his
diary: `[I] consulted with Mifune concerning the student's deficiencies in
katame. We agreed to intensify all kata study to make kata instruction a
regular teaching function at Kodokan, on a twice-a-week basis. All
students will specially take part in the practice of Katame-uchi awase
[Katame No Kata}."

----------------

I think everyone can get the idea that Kata is important to Judo. It retains
the combative element and allows this practice to take place in a safe,
yet practical manner.

The emphasis of Randori over Kata or Kata over Randori takes the balanced
approach of physical and spiritual training away. The first becomes a
style which is sportive and as such, emphasizes winning over character
development. Since this is martial training, character development is important
so that the arts are "not abused".

The emphasis of the 2nd is also deficient in that one's skill is never tested
against someone who truely is resisting rather than role-playing. Understanding
the deficiencies of one's skills due to training or size or both against
various adversaries is important in developing self-defense minded individuals.

Strict emphasis on Kata gives one a false sense of confidence which can be
extremely dangerous.

Strict emphasis on Randori seldom allows for the full development of character
because important character traits are not being properly trained.

As an aside. It has been said that I am an outsider to Judo. To the contrary.
I do not see many people practicing Judo in any form. (Perhaps I need to travel
more :-)). While the syllabus I practice and teach is different, the
basis is pretty much as described by Draeger. Realism still plays an
important role in practice and this realism is best developed through
various Kata.

What is often called Judo is better called Sport Judo or International
Judo. After all, Kano never intended his Judo to be used in such a narrow
sense. (Refer to Drager).

---
Dave Scheid - All Disclaimers Apply