Judo
"The gentle way"

 

Kodokan Judo:

A modern martial art and Olympic sport, the Kodokan was the name of the original school of Judo, officially created in 1882 by Jigoro Kano after studying under masters of several different styles of Japanese Jujutsu.  A prominant feature of Judo is its competetive element, the objective being to throw or takedown the opponent to the ground, immobilize the opponent with a pin or force them to submit with a choke hold or joint lock.

 

 

Two principals included by by the founder of Judo and central to Judo training are - Seiroku Zenyo "Maximum efficient use of mental and physical energy", and Jita Kyoei "Mutual welfare and benefit".  These principals followed in our training fosters a great environment for everyone to work in as we strive for our goals together.  Training in this way, the third, lesser known principle becomes apparent - Ju yoku o seisu - "Gentleness controls hardness".

 

Since the original rules for Judo contest written around 1882, they have undergone many changes.  Many of those changes have eliminated effective Judo techniques from competition for the excuse of what may or may not look better on television.  Many schools who train primarily for these competitions have stopped teaching the whole art of Judo.

 

The Dakota Budokan strives to teach Judo in line with the founders original intent.  Because of this our Judo extends beyond what you will find at most schools who focus only on the sport of Judo. 

 

Kosen Judo: 

Not so much a style, but a set of rules for Judo popular among high school tournaments in Japan.  It is very closely associated with the contest rules of Kodokan Judo prior to 1925.  Kosen rules allow players to enter directly into matwork from the standing position.  The players may continue newaza (ground grappling) for an extended period.  This is in contrast to Olympic Judo where it is common for the players to stall on the ground and force a restart to the standing position.

  

 

Freestyle Judo: 

Freestyle Judo is now a growing movement in Judo away from the IJF style rules.  Freestyle Judo is now a style of Judo following its own set of rules and scoring.  It allows for more diverse techniques in the standing position as well as time for ground grappling.  For more information please visit the International Freestyle Judo Website below.

 

 

Zen Judo:
Having no connections to Zen Buddhism, it is actually little known or practiced school of Judo that was taught at the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, the largest martial arts organization in Japan at one time. Established in 1895.  There is evidence of Judos founder Jigoro Kano working with and approving of this "alternate style of judo".  This is also evidence of Kano's inclusion of other ideas in his art of Judo.  Sensei Brad has had the distinct honor of training in this style of Judo under the late Sensei Vern Borgen.

 

 

The Dakota Budokan is dedicated to keeping alive the tradition of the original Kodokan Judo and the spirit of adaptation and research practiced by its founder Jigoro Kano.  We respect and appreciate Olympic/IJF style Judo, it is a dynamic and beautiful sport with much to offer, but its rules for Olympic competition do not allow the whole art to be utilized and that ruleset is constantly changing to appeal to the sporting organization not to the art.

 

The Dakota Budokan teaches the whole art of Judo.  We are happy to support the sport of Olympic Judo and we are very proud to keep the tradition of true Kodokan Judo alive in our school.  Our practice strives to allow all grappling techniques and stratagies while caring for safety of our partner at all times.  In this way we keep the original intent of Judo being a practical, well-rounded system of physical fitness, self-protection, creativity and individual growth.

 

"Jita Kiyoe" - Mutual benefit for All