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Thursday, July 23, 2009

The Moment of Koan in JuDo


This is one of the most complicated of the Ways, and perhaps the nearest to life. it is a general training of the whole body and not concentration on a special aim with special instruments. But because of the complexity of the technique, many students become wholly absorbed in technical achievement, losing the one principle (ri) in study of individual tricks (ji).

In Judo there is no complete rest at all; always the balance has to be actively preserved under the push and pull of the opponent. The student is expected to find truth of the Taoist saying: "The stillness in stillness is not the real stillness; only when there is stillness in movement does the universal rhythm manifest."

The Koan: If you anticipate one alternative, but he takes the other, the throw is blocked. if you wait to see what he does, you hesitate and spoil the throwing action. If you make your mind a blank, your body will not move.

How to solve the problem?




The winning throw from an important contest is a wonderful feat of technique. The strong resisting opponent, himself an expert, is carried high in to the air by the tori, the combined weight being balanced on the toe-tips of the foot. Apart from technical difficulties, begginners for a long time hesitate to throw the body into the attack, taking the head right down. The have to screw themselves up to it and so lose the oppurtunity, which is very short. The Zen sayings are: "Enter at one stroke" and "Throw away the body to find the spirit"

Seijitsu Judo Ryu Oath

  • "Without permission of the Authorities of Seijitsu Judo Dojo, I will not teach or divulge the Knowledge of the Art I shall be taught.

    I will not perform the Art in public for personal gain.

    I will lay no blame on anyone, except myself, in the event of accident, even if it should result in my death.

    I will conduct myself in such a way as never to discredit the traditions and honor of Seijitsu Judo Dojo.

    I will not abuse, or misuse, the Knowlege of Judo.

    I shall push and persevere."


Copied from the original Kodokan Oath and adapted by Seijitsu Judo Dojo; Judo - The Basic Technical Principles and Exercises by G. Koizumi (7th Dan), Founder of the Judo Movement in Great Britain and Europe, July 1958

About Judo


The Purpose of Judo Discipline

According to Jigoro Kano, the founder of Kodokan Judo:

  • "Judo is the way to the most effective use of both physical and spiritual strength. By training you in attacks and defenses it refines your body and soul and helps you make the spiritual essence of Judo a part of your very being. In this way you are able to perfect yourself and contribute something of value to the world. This is the final goal of Judo Discipline."

Anyone who intends to follow the way of Judo must above all instill this teaching in his heart.

Judo in Action; Kazuzo Kudo, 9th Dan; Japan Publications Trading Company, Tokyo, Japan; January 1967

On Judo and the Changing Times

  • "As thoughts on any subject advance, there is the danger that people will tend to regard past ideas as no more than empty academic theory. Such an over-prejudiced attitude must not be condoned."

Tetsuya Sato and Isao Okano, Vital Judo, Japan Publications Inc., 1973


On the Value of Continuous Scholarly Study in Judo

  • "We live today and die tomorrow but the books we read tell us things of a thousand years."

Yamaga Sokō (September 21, 1622 - October 23, 1685) was a Japanese philosopher and strategist during the Tokugawa shogunate. He was a Confucian, and applied Confucius's idea of the "superior man" to the Samurai class of Japan. This became an important part of the Samurai way of life and code of conduct known as Bushido
.

On Judo and its Lifelong Pursuit