Judo Basics: Principles, Rules, and Rankings

All students of judo have at some time wished that they could find an overview of all the relevant material concerning the sport in one compact volume. This is exactly that book. Including virtually everything a student or instructor needs to know about judo, whether techniques, requirements, rankings, or regulations, this long-awaited reference is designed to complement any level of study. Useful illustrations throughout the book demonstrate the moves required for each level of study.

The book is based on a syllabus presented directly to the author by the legendary Kyuzo Mifune (1883-1965), 10th dan, the highest Kodokan rank, who suggested that she illustrate and formulate it for the benefit of judo practitioners overseas. This occurred just several months before Mifune passed away at the age of eighty-two. The foreword is by Keiko Fukuda, 9th dan USJF, USA Kata Technical Advisor, and many of the illustrations are provided by Nishioka H. Hayward, 8th dan and former USA Judo World Team Member.

Subjects include a brief history of judo, the structure of international judo, a basic introduction to judo (enrollment, bylaws, principles and aims, the dojo, equipment, judogi, and tatami), ranking system, warming-up and cooling-down exercises, kumikata, bowing, Gokyo-no-waza, learning to become an instructor, ukemi, uchikomi, the role of the coach, breakfalling basics, adult (seinen) grade requirements, adolescent (shonen) grade requirements, children (yonen) grade requirements, younger children (mon) grade requirements, the International Judo Federation Sports and Organization Rules, and the International Judo Federation Refereeing Rules.

Patricia Harrington, born and educated in Australia, is ranked 6th dan in Kodokan judo, the highest graded Caucasian female in the world. She has received all of her dan ranks from the Kodokan Institute of Judo, ratified by the International Judo Federation. She has taught martial arts professionally since 1965. She is the author (with Betty Huxley) of Judo: A Pictorial Manual.

Kyuzo Mifune (1883-1965) joined the Kodokan in 1903 when he came to Tokyo to enter Waseda University. He was not physically imposing (159 cm. tall and 56 kg.), but he made up for that with his logical, scientific approach to judo. He developed many new techniques, such as the kuki-nage (now called sumi-otoshi) and tama-guruma (now o-guruma), and strengthened the rational foundations of judo. He taught at Tokyo, Waseda, Meiji, and other universities, and in 1920 was awarded the rank of 10th dan. Called the "god of judo," he was so famous that, in referring to him, the words "10th dan" alone sufficed. Legend has it that in his sixty years as a judoka he never lost a match and was never thrown.

Keiko Fukuda, grand-daughter of Hachinosuke Fukuda, Jigoro Kano's first jujutsu teacher, is ranked 9th dan USJF and serves as the USA Kata Technical Advisor. In 1990 she received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette, from the Japanese Government for her contributions to the world of judo.

Hayward H. Nishioka, 8th dan and former USA Judo World Team Member, is an International Judo Federation "A" Level Referee and USA Judo "A" Level Coach. He holds the position of Professor of Physical Education at Los Angeles City College and is Chairperson, National Teachers Institute, United States Judo Federation. He is the author of Judo: Heart and Soul and Foot Throws: Karate, Judo, and Self-Defense, coauthor of Judo Textbook: In Practical Application, and has produced over 50 judo videos.