Like fencing in the Western World, Judo is a sport which evolved from a martial art. Like the Knights of Medieval Europe, the warriors of Feudal Japan were a military class, and jujitsu - along with swordsmanship, archery, horsemanship, etc. was a skill designed for battle. As its ends were military, no holds were barred and along with the throws and locks that remain in present-day Judo were included techniques of kicking, slashing, and anything else that might disable an enemy efficiently. Japan at this time was broken up into several hundred little states and at the castletown of each there were schools of jujitsu, each with its own tradition and style. When a modern unified state arose in 1868, the Feudal Regime and most of its works disappeared. Jujitsu however, was preserved as Judo through the efforts of Dr. Kano, who selected from the old schools those techniques suitable to the modern age. With the elimination of its deadly aspects, a refinement of the throws and locks took place and what had been an adjutant art of mayhem became a sport that anyone could practice safely.
 

Jujitsu means ggentle arth while Judo means ggentle wayh. In both cases ggentleh refers to the philosophical premise that one can conquer by yielding. The actual does not always come up to the ideal, but even in most awkward throws one must take advantage of some lack in the opponentfs balance of position.

WHAT IS JUDO?
 

The name Kodokan Judo implies a system of physical and mental training, based upon the principle of JU (yawara - gentleness). It was first introduced in its present form by Dr. Jigoro Kano, who in 1882 founded the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo. The system he taught soon proved to be far superior to that of the old schools of JUJITSU, and has gained in popularity to such an extent that it can now claim over fifty million students, young and old, male and female.
 

WHY IS IT STUDIED?
 

If asked this question most students will say they first joined a Judo Club for quite easily understood reasons. The most common being exercise and self-defense, which, combined with a certain element of mystery and the often undeserved reputation of being a Judo expert, can be reason enough to start with. However, we are only willing to spend so much time and trouble for aims of this nature, and if after a while we have failed to find a better reason for practising than these, we are almost certain to become bored and give up; Many do give up, having failed to grasp the real reason and meaning of Kodokan Judo.

Of this much you can be sure, there is a better reason for studying Judo than those just given. There is in fact, something in the art of Judo that makes many men and women spend a lifetime in its study. No amount of reading will enable us to comprehend the real meaning of this sport. It can only be discovered in the course of actual participation through which we can grow to love the hours spent in the Dojo. It is, however, our object in this introduction to try and give some thought to its real significance.
 

The ultimate objective of Judo is the perfection of onefs self by the systematic training of mind and body through exercise, so that each works in harmony with the other. With this in mind we can better understand the stated objective of Kodokan Judo which are: Physical development, mental and moral development, and contest ability.
 

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
 

Physical training today all too often favours appearances rather than usefulness. Such is not the case with Judo. Here the stress is on the development of a useful body which implies good health and physical fitness. In Judo we do not consider physical training as an end in itself, but as a means of making the body better able to serve the mind.
 

MORAL AND MENTAL DEVELOPMENT
 

Certain sports (while they remain sports) can have a definitely beneficial effect on the adult or child that practises them. These good effects, however, last only as long as the sport is practised for its own sake.

Financial and commercial interests, if they are allowed to enter into the activity in any way, will surely kill all that is truly beneficial in them, leaving only that which can qualify as crowd pleasing or money making. This danger was foreseen in Judo from the start, when Dr. Kano caused a rule to be laid down prohibiting any use or display of Judo for personal gain or profit.

The result is that Kodokan Judo today occupies an almost unique position in modern sport, allowing no form of commercial exploitation and seeking in these the betterment of society through its effect on the individual.

Judo is the gentle way: gMaximum efficiency for minimum efforth, and should be practiced in a manner beneficial to all, injuring no one.

MUTUAL WELFARE AND BENEFIT

These two statements continually remind us of the right way to approach our studies, but the right way is not always the easiest way. People may get much quicker results using strength only; this can result in injury to others, but what is there to stop people from doing this? Nothing, except their own thoughts and feelings on the matter. The victory they gained will not satisfy them; they cannot truthfully be proud of it, and this may cause them to be critical of their own actions and intentions in the future, remembering that half the battle is knowing when you are wrong.
 

Consider the following: the most you can hope to do is double your physical size and strength, but there is no limit to the number of times you can multiply your skill. As you increase in skill however, another and more difficult test awaits. Training in humility, you must be ever more prepared to stand by, saying and doing nothing, while events occur that make you long to try out new found strength. It would seem that you are being called upon for no good reason, to renounce the recognition you think is due. Yet this is not the case, for at such times, we begin to understand the meaning of words like these:
 

In this and in numerable other ways, Judo runs as it were parallel to life, based as it is on natural laws of action and reaction it cannot become false, and the lessons learnt are of true value.
 

CONTEST ABILITY
 

If you practise Judo as a means of personal development, then the Judo contest provides you with a guage whereby to measure progress. Without such a test we could credit ourselves with all manner of wonderful abilities, but with it we are forced to face ourselves as we really are. There is no such thing as luck in a Judo contest. If we lose, it must be considered that in some way we have been found lacking, and we must work to overcome our deficiencies. If we win by fair and skillful technique, then we stand ready to aim at greater things. But if we win by unfair means or by unnecessary use of strength, then we have need of much soul searching, for it is better to lose than win in such a manner.
 

RANDORI (Free Practise)
 

In Randori your object must he to develop technique in conjunction with a relaxed body and an alert mind. It does not matter whether you win or lose in Randori, but it is important that you use every moment to the full, move freely, attack often and if your attack is countered get up and try again. You will benefit from your studies in direct proportion to the amount of effort you put into them. At times you may get discouraged, in which case it may help you to compare your progress with the growth of a tree - you cannot see it growing, yet you know that it is.
 

SHIAI (Contest)
 

When entering into Shiai, never underestimate your opponent. Respect - yet be determined to beat - your opponent. Nervous strain and tension will detract considerably from your performance, it is your true ability that shows in a contest, and in time you may come to regard the Shiai as a far reaching contest with yourself.
 

UKEMI (Breakfalls)
 

Many people have a deep-seated fear of falling. Its removal may not seem too significant, yet it is nonetheless a big step forward in the process of removing fear through knowledge, which, if continued correctly can enable the individual to rightly make use of the environment, instead of being controlled by it.
 

PERSONAL HYGIENE
 

All judoka are requested to wash their feet before practising and if necessary shower. Finger and toenails should be kept short, and all rings, watches and the like should be removed. Judo suits, or judogi, should be kept clean and in good repair.
 

RANKS IN JUDO
 

As in Japanese martial arts, judo ranks are based on the kyu and dan system. The kyu numbers for judo start at 6 - for a beginner - and work down to 1 for a brown belt. Kyu ranks (or the coloured belts) are often referred to as mudansha, literally those who do not have a dan ranking. The dan numbers, for degrees of black belt standing, start at one and go up to ten. Yudansha is the term for people that have black-belt ranking. Traditionally 10^th dan has been reserved for the founder of judo, Jigoro Kano and a small number of his students.
 

To recognise achievement between these levels, the Vernon Judo Club has often awarded stripes toward the next rank. The VJC is sanctioned to grade up to the rank of brown belt, ikkyu. In Canada, black belt testing, or danza, is done by regional, provincial and national grading boards.

1. Keep finger and toenails short and clean.

2. Feet should be washed.

3. Keep your judogi clean.

4. Be on time for classes.

5. Do not use another personfs judogi.

6. All judogi should have initials.

7. No one should chew gum during classes.

8. Remove rings and other metal ornaments, including metallic berets or hairbands, before going onto the tatami.

9. Everyone should remove footwear before walking onto the tatami.

10. All members should bow, to pay their respect to Dr. Kano before going onto the tatami and leaving it.

11. Members shall not use profanity in the Dojo.

12. No horseplay on the tatami.

13. No smoking in the tatami areas.

14. The Instructor is to be referred to as eSen-Seih.

15. Excessive laughter or loud talking on the tatami will not be allowed.

16. At the beginning and at the end of each practice, Judoka should bow to each other.

17. Do not practice while intoxicated or under the influence of any drugs or medication.

18. Both judoka should kneel on one knee, while one fixes a judogi.

19. No conversation except pertaining to Judo will be permitted on the tatami.

20 Never misuse your knowledge of Judo. Aside from sanctioned tournaments and demonstrations, only extreme circumstances justify the use of judo in public.

21. Promotions to higher belt classes are judged by onefs general attitude, character, attendance, tournament results and techniques.

22. Obey the Instructors at all times.

23. Know your Judo Pledge.

24. Practice Judo with Confidence and Willingness.

THE KODOKAN GOKYO

THROWING TECHNIQUES

DAI-IKKYO
 

1.	De-Ashi-Harai	Advanced Foot Sweep
2.	Hiza-Guruma	Knee Wheel
3.	Sasae-Tsurikomi-Ashi	Propping Drawing Ankle Throw
4.	Uki-Goshi	Floating Hip
5.	O-Soto-Gari	Major Outer Reap
6.	O-Goshi	Major Loin
7.	O-Uchi-Gari	Major Inner Reaping
8.	Seoi-Nage	Shoulder Throw

DAI-NIKKYO
 

9.	Ko-Soto-Gari	Minor Outer Reaping
10.	Ko-Uchi-Gari	Minor Inner Reaping
11.	Koshi-Guruma	Loin Wheel
12.	Tsurikomi-Goshi	Lift Pull Loin
13.	Okuri-Ashi-Harai	Sweeping Ankle Throw
14.	Tai-Otoshi	Body Drop
15.	Harai-Goshi	Sweeping Loin
16.	Uchi-Mata	Inner Thigh

DAI-SANKYO
 

17.	Ko-Soto-Gake	Minor Outer Hooking Ankle
18.	Tsuri-Goshi	Lifting Hip Throw
19.	Yoko-Otoshi	Side Drop
20.	Ashi-Guruma	Leg Wheel
21.	Hane-Goshi	Spring Hip Throw
22.	Harai-Tsurikomi-Ashi	Sweeping Drawing Ankle Throw
23.	Tomoe-Nage	Stomach Throw
24.	Kata-Guruma	Shoulder Wheel

DAI-YONKYO
 

25.	Sumigaeshi	Corner Throw
26.	Tani-Otoshi	Valley Drop
27.	Hane-Makikomi	Outer Winding Spring Hip
28.	Sukui-Nage	Scooping Throw
29.	Utsuri-Goshi	Changing Hip
30.	O-Guruma	Major Wheel
31.	Soto-Makikomi	Outer Winding Throw
32.	Uki-Otoshi	Floating Drop

DAI-GOKYO
 

33.	O-Soto-Guruma	Major Outer Wheel
34.	Uki-Waza	Floating Throw
35.	Yoko-Wakare	Side Separation
36.	Yoko-Guruma	Side Wheel
37.	Ushiro-Goshi	Rear Loin
38.	Ura-Nage	Rear Throw
39.	Sumi-Otoshi	Corner Drop
40.	Yoko-Gake	Side Body Drop

ADDITIONAL THROWS
 

	Obi Otoshi	Belt Drop
	Yama Arashi	Mountain Storm
	Daki Wakare	Body Seizure Separation
	Hikki-Komi-Gaeshi	Big Exterior Dropping
	Osoto-Otoshi	Major Outer Drop
	Tawara Gaeshi	Rice Bale Reversal
	Uchi-Makikomi	Inner Winding Throw
	Seoi-Otoshi	Shoulder Drop
	Kuchiki-Taoshi	Dead Tree Drop
	Morote-Gari	Two Hand Reaping
	Ouchi-Gake	Major Inner Hook
	Kouchi-Gake	Minor Inner Hook
	Tsubame-Gaeshi	Swallow Counter
	Kani-Basami	Scissor Throw
	Seoi-Makikomi	Shoulder Winding Throw
	Ude-Gaeshi	Arm Reversal
	Kibisu-Gaeshi	Heel Throw
	Gan-Seki-Otoshi	Both Lapel Drop