KODOKAN JUDO
Judo teaches flexibility in the application of technique. This is the efficient use of balance, leverage, and movement in the performance of Judo throws, pins, and submissions. Skill, technique and timing, rather than the use of brute strength, are the essential ingredients for success in Judo.
Kodokan Judo was founded in 1882 by Professor Jigoro Kano in Tokyo, Japan. Judo in the Pacific Northwest dates back to the beginning of the 20th century and has been in Oregon since before World War II.
Dynamic Full Contact Club is the only facility in Douglas County that offers traditional Kodokan Judo. Kodokan Judo is considered to be the most pure form of Judo.
Jigoro Kano and Kodokan Judo have been a major influence for martial arts around the globe.
The art of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu began with Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese expert Judoka and member of the Kodokan. Jigoro Kano sent Maeda overseas to spread his Judo to the world.(In those days Judo was sometimes referred to as "Kano Jiu-jitsu") Eventually, Maeda emmigrated to Brazil in the 1910s where an influential businessman named Gastão Gracie helped him get established. In return for his aid, Maeda taught the martial art to Gastão's son Carlos Gracie, who then taught the art to his brothers, including Hélio Gracie.
Sambo is an acronym for the Russian phrase "self-defense with weapons" (sam-obobona Bes Orusyia).Sambo founder, Vasili Oshchepkov was the first European to be awarded a Judo black belt by Jigoro Kano. Sambo was originally designed for the Red Army in 1920, but became a sport in 1923. Sambo became accepted by the International Amateur Wrestling Federation as one of the four forms of wrestling in 1968. The four recognized disciplines are Greco-Roman, Freestyle, Sambo, and Judo.
Besides being the founder of Kodokan Judo, Professor Kano is also credited for the modification of the Japanese Kimono into the Judo Gi in 1907. He is also the creator of the "Kyu-Dan" belt ranking system now used in Judo and most other martial arts around the world. Although some arts call their ranking system by different names, the first black belt ever awarded was by Jigoro Kano in 1883. The original kyu-dan ranking system was white and black belts only. Later the brown belt was added to display an intermediate level. With the westernization of martial arts, the colors were soon added. Now, in most dojo the kyu levels are recognized by colored belts such as yellow, orange, green and then brown. There are three levels of brown belt in most dojo and ten degrees for black belts.
The first official Shotokan Karate instruction in Japan was done inside the Kodokan. Around the 1920's, Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi adopted the Kyu-Dan system, along with the Gi that had been developed by Professor Kano.The first "shodan" ranks given by Funakoshi in Karate were in 1924. Many techniques were exchanged between Professor Kano and Funakoshi as is evident in some of the older textbooks about Judo or Karate.
At DFCC we are very proud of our Kodokan Judo lineage. Keith Sensei learned from Yuzo Kato. Yuzo Kato was taught at the Kodokan by Kazuzo Kudo and Kyuzo Mifune.
Kazuzo Kudo was the last surviving direct student of Judo founder, Jigoro Kano. He was also the last 9th dan promoted directly by Professor Kano. Kazuzo Kudo is most famous for authoring what many consider the best books ever written on Judo, the two volume set entitled, "Dynamic Judo".
Mifune was the 4th person out of 7 to ever carry the rank of 10th dan in Kodokan Judo.He was also considered the greatest Judo technician other than Kano himself. Mifune was also author of the very informative book, "Canon of Judo". This book was out of publication for many years and only recently went back into publication.
At Dynamic Full Contact Club, we are one of a small handful of U.S. dojo that teach the traditional Kodokan Judo. Our instructors offer patient and complete instruction. We have more practice time available than any other dojo we know of in our area. This insures a complete understanding of the principles, etiquette, rules of competition, and well earned rank promotions.
Another thing that seperates our dojo from many others is the time we spend on grappling techniques. Many Judo training facilities around the world have neglected the Ne-waza part of Kodokan Judo. In these days of popularity of Brazilian Jiujitsu, submission grappling, and mixed martial arts competitions, it is of paramount importance to be efficient on the ground as well as with the throws and takedowns of Judo.
Every instructor at every school has his/her own way of interpreting and teaching a martial art. Our instructors have an in depth understanding of the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of Kodokan Judo along with many other martial arts styles. Keith Sensei's techniques and philosophies are becoming renowned around the world.
For further information on the history of Kodokan Judo, please visit our Links page to find some of our favorite sites.
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