Kodokan Judo: The Essential Guide to Judo by Its Founder Jigoro Kano

Written by the godfather of Judo; Jigaro Kano this book is a great guide to almost everything Judo. It doe not feature every banned move in Judo, But some of them. It features every Judo Kata and the detail in the 📸 is great for the time the book was made.

This book is an outstanding reference containing such vital concepts and techniques as nage waza (throwing techniques), shime waza (choking/strangulation techniques), atemi waza (vital point techniques), and kansetsu waza (joint locking techniques). Randori (free sparring), kata (forms), and goshin jutsu (self-defense techniques) are covered. There is also some interesting history about how jujutsu became judo, the principles and aims of Kodokan judo, and training basics (e.g., gi, etiquette, postures/stances, moving and turning, breakfall techniques, the principle of continuous attack, and professor Kano's history and chronology). Since many judo applications can render an opponent unconscious, vital kappo (resuscitation techniques) are also included Some of the pictures are outstanding while others, mostly historical items relating to kata and a few of the throws, are very difficult to decipher. Regardless, no text no matter how well written and illustrated can substitute for professional hands-on instruction. If you have already seen these applications demonstrated on the dojo floor, the book is more than adequate as a reference source -- in fact I'd call it ideal. This outstanding tome contains all the essential knowledge that judoka must possess. Highly recommended!Lawrence KaneAuthor of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction

Bought this book as a supplement to my regular judo instruction. The pictures and directions, once you figure them out, are essential to helping understand different throws and moves. Furthermore, this book goes into the philosophy behind Judo, the way Jigoro Kano intended it. An essential tome in any serious judoka’s library.

The book arrived in great condition. I have the paperback, don’t know if there’s a hardcover version. The front cover has a glossy look - and it does really well in keeping finger prints away - unless your hands are oily (i imagine). The size is just right for collection and study. I have the 2013 edition and It has a mix of old pictures and new. The old pictures are a bit blurry for todays time. I only wish the examples were done with blue and white gi to separate the subjects easily. The text has good design and spacing - instructions are easy to follow. Information is not crammed in a page. Translation in English is well done and straight forward.

I bought this book in 2005 and I hadn't quite learned to question everything. This book very clearly illustrates the rules and technique as practiced in the dojo and it as such is a very welcome addition to my library.When I compare it to a book like Roger Crosnier's on foil fencing, Crosnier's book illustrates all of the basic principles of fencing answering three questions: what, how, and why. This book illustrates the how and the what. It teaches the organization of the dojo in terms of the how, the what, and the why, but in case of body postures and techniques, it in a few places lacks in establishing the why.You can still learn all of the techniques you need to know, and it explains principles of using the opponent's force against them, but for instance the neutral stance isn't a fighting stance. The neutral stance is the posture assumed when people are angry and you don't want to provoke aggression. Judo, before everything else, including sport, is a discipline of self defense.On the judo mat, after the bow, you immediately have to assume the defensive position, knees bent, because on the judo mat, you always fight. This means you need to be ready for what comes, which includes having your hands ready to grapple your opponent. You don't want to introduce any delay.To me, there's room for improvement, also in classifying the techniques in a more generalistic way. For instance, when you sweep someone's foot or feet, the hands always support the motion of the opponent's body induced by the sweep: if you sweep feet sideways, you pull in the opposite direction, sweep the foot forward and you push the body backward, sweep the foot diagonally into a spin, and you support the spin of the opponent's body.I agree with the criticism as I understand Jigoro Kano uttered it of a lot of the ground techniques that seem to have been borrowed from wrestling. The intent of Judo is to use the strength of the opponent against them and this should be preserved: it's a throwing game. This allows you to get away and get help. That's also Judo, to try and avoid hurting someone. It's not always possible, but one should try. As a student, I should add, I should know that you should hear it when someone hits the mat.I think it would be a welcome addition if it were to separately include guidelines for the students in aiding the teacher in teaching. For instance, Judo does teach some basic holds, but if the student doesn't struggle to break free, the student learning the hold isn't going to exert any power. You always need to introduce as high a degree of realism as possible without anyone getting hurt, and a struggle is necessary to provoke the necessary responses.I do love Judo and the book.

Lots of good information easy to understand

Concise and to the point, covered the subject thoroughly, including today's outlawed throws.

Un compendio del judo más clásico escrito por Kano sensei. Quien practique judo lo hallará bastante útil pues cada waza está explicada e ilustrada. Aunque algunas imágenes lucen borrosas, resulta una gran guía técnica. Además incluye partes fundamentales como atarse el obi y saludar. Es preciso leer en inglés para abordar la obra.

Best

The book was shipped to Australia then the sender requested it back!

I found this book a great help as a supplement to my regular classes. I study japanese jiu jitsu but have found that the majority of books are focused primarily on Brazilian JJ, and don't have enough emphasis for 'standing' techniques for my liking.This book has a lot of decent photos, some are a bit grainy but most are more than clear enough. The main benefit though is the description of the execution of each move, and the purpose. Subtle changes to your technique make the difference between sloppy throws and effective throws, and this is where the book really shines. Reading the book away from class means I spend more time focusing my technique rather than learning the basic movements when in the dojo, and the great sense of satisfaction which comes from executing a good throw keeps me coming back for more.This would make a great gift for anyone who studies a grappling martial art, such as sambo l, jj, bjj or wrestling. I tend to use the book in conjunction with youtube to get a good indication of how new techniques should look when applied properly, youtube is good for seeing the whole throw, the book is great for pinning the detail which takes you from ok to good, or good to great