Vernon Judo Club

About the Vernon Judo Club

The VJC is located in the Western Canadian province of British Columbia, in the city of Vernon at the north end of Okanagan Lake.

The club was formed in 1944 by Mr.Y. Mori, in a time when martial arts were banned in many places and Japanese Canadians even required a special police permit to meet in groups. We’ve been practicing ever since, making the VJC the longest continuously running club in Canada.

The club is run entirely by volunteers. Our parent group is a non-profit society dedidicated to support our judoka.

We practice Monday and Thursday nights at the Vernon Japanese Cultural Centre, 4895 Bella Vista Road.

6:30-7:45 PM Junior/intermediate

7:45-9:15 PM Senior

Our season runs from early September to late April. Early season class times are adjusted for a beginners’ class.

Spectators are welcome at any time.

Email us for more information on the Vernon Judo Club.

Why Practice Judo?

There are many reasons why people do judo.

Discipline and Confidence

From its origin as a martial art, judo brings individual approach to training. Judo is control. A basic principle of judo is the most efficient use of energy. Judoka constantly strive to improve their techniques, against a wide range of opponents and attacks. Judo teaches balance and allows people to fall without fear of injury.

Recreation and Fitness

A gradual progression allows the judoka to choose his or her own level of intensity. There is a basic principle in judo of mutual well-being and benefit. Everyone is at the dojo to learn judo and share their experience. Less experienced judoka seek out sensei to practice with and in turn both try new techniques at a level that maximizes the experience for both. A judo workout is a total-body workout and, while it is at times anaerobic, judo gives excellent endurance. Judo is appropriate for all ages. We take students starting at 7 years of age and judoka have been known to continue practicing into their seventies.

Competition

Judo has been an Olympic sport for over 30 years. Competitions range throughout the year on the club, regional, provincial and national level. Striking techniques are not allowed in competition. So unlike other martial arts, there is no need to "pull your punches." Combining throws with hold-downs, chokes and armbars, competition teaches judoka how to control an opponent without needing to injure them. Whether at the dojo or in a tournament, there is no limit to the intensity other than that mutually chosen by the participants themselves.

Self-Defense

Judo allows you to use the force of an aggressive act against the aggressor. While judo means "the gentle way" in Japanese, even competition judo allows the use of chokes and armbars. Numerous non-competition techniques are designed solely for self defense.

History of Judo in Canada

(Based on article from Langley Judo Club)

Judo was founded in 1882 by the late Professor Jigoro Kano. It was derived from the ancient art of Ju Jitsu, to be used as a means of mental and physical education, utilizing maximum efficiency with minimum effort. Judo did not find its way to Europe until the early 1900’s and not until the 1920’s did it find its way to Canada.

The first official judo Club in Canada was the Vancouver Judo Club (Tai Iku Dojo) established in 1924 by Mr. Steve Sasaki. Mr. Sasaki was trained in Japan and was the top judoka in his province before immigrating to Canada in 1922. The club was originally located in a patron’s living room on 500 block Alexander, before moving to a building on 500 Powell. Adults paid 30 cents, boys 10 cents and girls 5 cents. These charges did not meet the costs and much was absorbed by Mr. Sasaki and his patrons.

Judo gained popularity quickly, especially with Japanese Canadians. With the assistance of Mr. Sasaki "The Steveston Dojo" was set up under the assistance of Mr. T. Doi and Mr. T. Yamamoto. It was to be the first of many satellites of the TAI IKU DOJO.

In the years that followed he continued to organise clubs: in Mission, assisted by Mr. E. Hashizume, Mr. C. Kunimoto and Mr. Y. Mori; in Haney, assisted by Mr. T. Mitani and Mr. K. Ryoji. As Mr. Sasaki’s organisation grew he sent his vice-president Mr. S. Nakamura to assist a club in Chemainus. Mr. Nakamura then further established a club in Duncan which was assisted by Mr. Aihoshi. It was at this time a branch was also established in Woodfibre, assisted by Mr. Tom Tamoto. Following quickly were branches in Kitsilano, Fairview and a training centre for the RCMP taught twice weekly by Mr. Sasaki.

In 1932 and 1936 Dr. Kano visited the Vancouver TAI IKU DOJO and for some time Sasaki traveled with him as he instructed around the world. The growth of judo was to continue primarily along the coast until in 1940 the spread of judo was halted as a consequence of the second world war. All branches of the now "Kidokan" were shut down and members transferred to relocation camps.

Many were sent to Tashme with Mr. Sasaki. There as a close group, they practiced hard together; it helped them to forget their situation.

After the war the government encouraged relocation throughout the country. Many of Mr. Sasaki’s students went on to spread judo across Canada (their original dojo in parenthesis):

After the War, the black belt association and the organisation grew, being accepted into the International Judo Federation in 1956. Since that time judo has continued to grow and expand throughout all parts of the country.

Competition Terms

Referee’s Signals
 

Ippon (full point) - Wins the match. Awarded for a "perfect throw," submission or 25 seconds of osaekomi. (Penalty equivalent: Hansoku-make)		Commands that start time: Hajime: Begin Yoshi: Continue Commands that stop time: Matte: Stop Jikan: Time
Waza-ari - Technical merit. Two waza-ari add up to an ippon. (Penalty equivalent: three Shido formerly known as one Keikoku)		Toketa: Stops osaekomi time Sono-mama: Don’t move Sore-made: End of match
Yuko - Minor throw. No number of yuko can equal a waza-ari. (Equivalent penalty: two Shido formerly one Chui)		Osaekomi (hold down) scores: Koka: hold for 10 to 15 sec (Score no longer valid) Yuko: hold for 15 to 20 sec Waza-ari: 20 to 25 sec
Koka - Minor score (Dropped from rules 2009). No number of koka can equal a yuko. (Penalty equivalent: Shido. Note if you get one shido, your opponent gets a koka; two and your opponent's koka becomes a yuko; four and you're out.)		Ippon: hold for 25 seconds Types of wins: Ippon: Full point Yusei Gachi: Decision
Osaekomi - Hold down controlling technique. Twenty-five seconds of osaekomi equal an ippon.		Sogo Gachi: Compound Hansoku-make: Disqualification Fusen Gachi: Forfeit

Judo Links

Kodokan Judo Institute

Where it all began; the centre of world judo. Located in Tokyo, Japan.

International Judo Federation

Sets the standards for international rules and refereeing. Runs the congress of international judo organisations. Located in Seoul, Korea.

Encino Judo Club

Quite possibly the most informative judo site on the internet. Full of links.

Judo Canada

Listing of other clubs across Canada. Find out what'shappening on the national level.

Judo BC

Our parent organisation and member of Judo Canada. PDFversion of Judo BC Digest.