|
|
|
Welcome
As part of your Japanese week project, Watanabe Kai Judo Club has been invited to share our experience of Kodokan Judo, which is a traditional martial art.
The schools taking part are:
June 11th:
10am - Irthington
1pm - Great Corby
June 18th:
10am - Leeshill
1pm - Gilsland
June 25th:
10am - Lanercost
1pm - Hallbankgate
Kodokan Judo (often just called judo)was derived from jujutsu. Practise usually involves learning to throw each other and hold each other down. These techniques can be used to win contests, but judo has many benefits ranging from health and fitness to building confidence and self-discipline.
Judo is best experienced by doing rather than listening, so in your brief introduction, we aim to teach you some of the basics, including a breakfall, a simple throw, and a hold-down, as well as answering any questions you may have.
When you arrive, we'd like to get started as soon as possible, so this web page covers the basics so that you will be know what to expect when you arrive. The sooner everyone is lined up and we all bow together, the sooner we can start doing judo...
In a normal judo class we use a quite a lot of Japanese words. Some are covered on this page, but don't worry about trying to remember them all - anything you remember from this page before coming to your judo session is a bonus.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
|
Getting ready...
There is quite a lot of physical contact in judo, so you will need to make sure you are fresh and clean, paying particular attention to the hands, feet and face. Fingernails and toenails should be trimmed short. If they are rough or too long then you might scratch your partner.
There can be a bit of pushing and pulling, so loose, long sleeved clothing is best for beginners. Jogging bottoms and a long sleeved top are ideal. If anyone coming on the course has done judo before, they are welcome to wear their normal judo outfit.
For safety, no hard objects may be worn when doing judo. Things like jewelery, buckles and hair clips must be removed. If you have long hair, it must be tied back to keep it out of your eyes, and make sure it is held with a simple elastic tie, with no metal parts.
If you have footwear that is easy to slip on and off at the edge of the mat (such as flip-flops), then it is much easier to step on and off the mat.
There will be a short break for refreshments (if required), so please bring a suitable light snack, such as a piece of fruit and a drink. Fizzy drinks, chocolate or crisps are not recommended snacks to have during a judo session.
|
|
Into the dojo!
A dojo is a place where martial arts are practised. It literally means the 'place of the way'.
The floor of the dojo is covered with safety mats, called tatami. It is very important to keep these clean and undamaged, so they should only be walked on with bare feet. Outdoor shoes and socks must be removed at the side of the mat before stepping on. If a person has a medical condition such as verucas, then their socks may be worn.
|
This area is called the shimoza, and is where visitors and guests to the dojo sit. |
This side (with the flag) is called the shimoseki, and it is where the students line up at the beginning and end of a class. You will enter the dojo through the brown doors, and should bow towards the top end of the hall.
Opposite this side is the joseki, or 'high seat', which is where the instructors will be. |
The 'top' end of the dojo is called the kamiza, which means 'high seat'. It holds a few photographs of people important to judo. |
|
| |
Some important Japanese words we use
Judo (joo-doh) - Often translated as 'the gentle way', but 'flexible' or 'yielding' are just as good translations as 'gentle'.
Sensei (sen-say) - 'Teacher'. The word comes after the name, so you will be taught by Derek sensei and Martin sensei.
Mate (mat-teh) - 'Wait'. If you hear this, stop and pay attention to the teacher at once.
Hajime (ha-jee-meh) - 'Begin'. Whatever you have been asked to do, start it now!
|
|
Lining up
At the start and end of a class, the students stand in a straight line facing the instructors.
For Japanese week, you will line up with the tallest students at the end of the dojo nearest the chairs (see the photo above), and the shortest towards the blue curtains. You will likely be lined up in two rows (or ranks) but both lines should have the tallest at the same end of the dojo.
When lining up, remain standing as when the class is about to begin the instructors will ask you to kneel in seiza. To sit in seiza, from standing, drop the left knee to where the left foot previously was, then do the same with the right knee. Settle back, still keeping the upper body upright, and rest your hands naturally on your thighs. The instep of your feet should be flat on the mat.
The class will start with the command ki o tsuke!, which means 'sit properly and pay attention' so at this point you should stop slouching or fidgeting and sit up straight, and look straight ahead.
Next you will be told to bow to the instructors with sensei ni rei!. The instructors are bowing to the class to thank them for coming to learn, and the students are thanking the instructors for sharing their knowledge and experience.
|
|
|
Bowing
There are quite a few times when people bow to one another in Japanese culture, so this is also done in judo practise. The Japanese bow to show respect, thanks, and trust, and it can be thought of in a similar way to Westerners shaking hands.
In Judo, we bow when we enter or leave the training hall, and when we step on or off of the mats.
Everyone bows together at the start and end of a class, and at the start or end of a practise with a partner.
Sometimes, the bow will be done while standing, and other times it will be done from kneeling.
| |
And finally, don't forget...
...to relax and enjoy yourself! Judo is great fun. See you soon!
|
|
|
|
