"The Way of gentleness"; non-violent, mostly to defensive martial art, created in 1882 by Jigoro Kano (1860 - 1938). Based mainly on the methods of unarmed combat used in ju-jitsu. The word used in school judo jujutsu "dzikisin-ryu" to describe the martial art of this school, relies on methods that were not fatal. This term has revived Kano Jigoro, who wanted to make Jiu-Jitsu in the combat sport for physical training and general education of youth. He said: "The purpose of judo - the understanding and demonstration of living laws of motion. For this purpose, Kano Jigoro selected a number of movements of the torso, arms and legs from the arsenal of ju-jitsu, which were particularly effective in hand-combat. These techniques encompass the scope of the battle on the ground and in the rack, Kano Jigoro used such variants of these techniques, which allowed upset the balance of the enemy (kuzushi) and immobilize him. The ultimate goal was the ability to neutralize the enemy, so Jigoro Kano created a system of self-defense, which is studied in conjunction with the mastery of the general laws of motion.

    "The Way of gentleness"; non-violent, mostly to defensive martial art, created in 1882 by Jigoro Kano (1860 - 1938). Based mainly on the methods of unarmed combat used in ju-jitsu. The word used in school judo jujutsu "dzikisin-ryu" to describe the martial art of this school, relies on methods that were not fatal. This term has revived Kano Jigoro, who wanted to make Jiu-Jitsu in the combat sport for physical training and general education of youth. He said: "The purpose of judo - the understanding and demonstration of living laws of motion. For this purpose, Kano Jigoro selected a number of movements of the torso, arms and legs from the arsenal of ju-jitsu, which were particularly effective in hand-combat. These techniques encompass the scope of the battle on the ground and in the rack, Kano Jigoro used such variants of these techniques, which allowed upset the balance of the enemy (kuzushi) and immobilize him. The ultimate goal was the ability to neutralize the enemy, so Jigoro Kano created a system of self-defense, which is studied in conjunction with the mastery of the general laws of motion.

In order to study judo needs a partner. Further training is becoming a training-free fighting (randori, and where the enemy, or "subordinate" (Uke), rushes to the mat and obezdvizhivaetsya "throwing" (tari). Training and competitions take place in the judo dojo (dojo abbreviated), on the floor covered with tatami mats, to mitigate the fall (ukemi).

As in all martial arts, practicing judo (judo-ka) tends doschich flexibility of the whole body and limbs, the velocity of body (tai-sa6aki) and perfect balance through breath control and concentration of energy in the Hara (located in the lower abdomen center of balance and reservoir of internal energy), and through careful study of the techniques of his art. In judo should prevail spirit of detachment and serenity. The student should try to remain in a constant state of vigilance "Khantau", avoiding "dead movements" (Bonneau). Armed with a disciplined mind, a calm and serene, managing her own body and reactions of the students could easily plunge to the ground any opponent. Judo was established in Tokyo Buddhist temple Eyho-ji in 1882, It has developed rapidly, and the first chernopoyasny rank was conferred by Jigoro Kano to his pupil Ciro Taira already in 1883 when Jigoro Kano in 1889 went to Europe to teach his technique in his dojo, there were approximately 600 students. After demonstrating the art of judo, set up in Marseilles in the same year, the first dojo was founded in France, in particular in Paris. Returning to Japan, the founder, continued its work, and in 1922 created the Kodokan, which was to become the official center of the movement of judo. Since the late nineteenth century Britain visited various instructors of Japanese Jujutsu. (Then it came into use distorted name of this martial art - Jiu-Jitsu). Then it became intensified vliyaniedzyudo. In 1920 Jigoro Kano visited London and took the local community, judo and jujutsu in Kodokan as foreign affiliates.

By 1956, judo became compulsory sport in all Japanese schools, and for some time the Japanese were victorious in all the world championships. But in 1961, the Dutch giant Anton Gesink defeated the Japanese champion Sone, and since then it became clear that the advantage is on the side of a tall and heavy fighters. This recognition led to the creation of judo weight classes. This step is contrary to the whole concept of judo, Jigoro Kano formulated, but in the postwar years, Western organizations have started using judo judo more and more like martial arts, and less and less - as a way of life. This gradually led to the ideological split between sports-oriented judo-ka and those who continued to adhere to the ideals of the Founder and traditions of the Japanese martial arts. A similar ambivalence can be observed in all the martial arts, abandoned their native shores and take root in the West. Separation of fighters into weight categories has coincided with the Olympics in 1964 Tokyo. This was partly a timely manner, as the Japanese least like to be fully routed in their own country. Although Geesink, and later his compatriot Rusca dominated the heavyweight, the Japanese were the champions in the other categories at the world championships. And only in 1969, the Japanese became Sinomani heavyweight champion, defeating Ruski in Mexico.

Since its debut as an Olympic sport in 1964, judo several times changed the rules and weight classes. The world championships began in 1956 and held every two years. The first European Judo Championships for men held in 1951 (he won the French team), among women - in 1982 since 1974 is also carried the European Cup. Jigoro Kano has always been strongly against any public events, since he believed that judo should be a personal art for training the mind and body.

The essence of judo is contained in the oath, which provide students with entry into Kodokan:

    1. By joining the Kodokan, I will not give up their studies without valid reasons. I not disgrace Dojo.
    2. Without permission I will not reveal secrets that I taught.
    3. First, as a student, then as a teacher I will always follow the laws of Dojo.

In the opinion of Jigoro Kano, judo - is not so much the art of self-defense without weapons, as philosophy, art of everyday life. "The study of the general principles of judo - he said - more than just lessons jujutsu. Unfortunately, in modern competition judo less felt the spirit of the Founder. They are, in fact, competition in the power and no longer belong to the sphere of struggle than the true Judo. Perhaps that is why at fans of martial arts have become increasingly successful use of other disciplines - such as aiki-do and karate, but karate is also degenerated into a very aggressive adversarial combat. Nevertheless, judo, and to this day - one of the most popular sports in the world who are engaged in the millions. Judo Training takes place in several stages. We study the technology to a standing position (tativadza) and fighting techniques on the ground (ne-waza). Each stage of the study notes the award of the pupil colored belts (obi). Color belt corresponds to the achieved level or rank (kyu). The ranks of black belt and above are called dan. Y belt is a purely utilitarian function: to pull a school uniform (judo-gi).

For more information about the history and development of judo can learn from the biography of the founder Jigoro Kano.