ATHLETIC ATTRIBUTES OF JUDO

In order to be good at judo you have to realize there are a lot of atheltic attributes that make up judo as a martial art, a self defense sytem and a combat sport. A Judoka needs to do complete full body exercises, they also need grip strength, pulling strength, power and explosiveness. Along with this they need strong core muscles focusing on rotation above all others. Another aspect of training is co-ordination of both hands and feet.

DON'T DO JUDO TO GET IN SHAPE, GET IN SHAPE TO DO JUDO

There are individuals who are fit for their chosen sport or activity and then there are those who are fit for fighting. Whether its judo as just recreation, or self defense or the advaanced athlete, the Judoka definitely falls into the latter category. Judo uses finesse and as mentioned before, judo requires a high degree of other attributes like strength, power, endurance, speed, etc.  You cannot be successful in judo and be out of shape.

The physical demands of Judo are unique and rather complex.  A Judo fight is too long to be pure anaerobic effort, but too intense to be aerobic purely. Part of what makes judo so tough is the fact that rounds require five minutes of constant contact between competitors. Judo is a rigorous and demanding physical activity. In practice you can give 100 percent and engage with your opponent constantly using everything you have physically in randori/free practice.

In judo there are no rounds or periods or rest. A Judo match can consist of five to ten-minute time frames, when compared to other sports activities, the aerobic demands of judo are quite intense. The demands on the grip are very high Judo players pull and tug on each other’s jackets incessantly. Grips, grip strength and grip fighting remain constant and consistent through out the match, not allowing the judo competitor to rest or "coast" during a match to pace themselves. High tension, powerful and explosive moves are to be expected and performed at almost any moment.Be it just a recreational practitioner or even a decent local level player both need to be able to do five to seven minutes of frequent high intensity bursts. 

Wear and tear on the body is an issue, one that will pervade all aspects of a judoka's training. While one of the best ways to train for judo competition is to hit the mat, not everyone has the body to withstand such a high number of hard falls each day from the dynamic throws found in Judo. In addition, judo requires at least one willing partner who is able to absorb the same, if not more punishment from the player. You become tough with Judo physically and mentally.

It is also important to acknowledge that strategy and tactics must be thought out and carefully crafted. You must study strategy and tactics and be prepared to use them knowing that many require the other attributes such as good fitness and technical ability.

 Attributes for a good judoka:

1.      Aerobically fit

2.       Anaerobically fit

3.       Able to defend your opponent’s attacks 

4.       Technically sound; have good execution of throws, submissions and pins in randori/competition

5.       Have Full body strength-endurance

6.       Have Maximal strength

7.       Be flexible enough to bend/twist your way in and out of  grappling situations-throws  and escaping and countering submissions, holds/pins

8.       Be Mentally strong; able to withstand tough sessions as well as training day in and day out everyday

9.       Possess a Tactical mind

Barron Shepherd is a 3rd degree black belt instructor and coach in Judo, a certified boxing coach and certified NASM Sports Performance Enhancement Specialist.

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A GOOD JUDO COACH

 Excellence can be attained if you care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical, and expect more than others think is possible.

Quality coaching from passionate and knowledgeable judo coaches is vital to delivering high quality judo for everyone who participates in the art. Coaching judo covers a wide range of roles, levels, and skills. Coaching requires a certain level of judo skills as well as knowledge of the sport. A knowledge and experience which will be valuable to the coach and to their students/athletes.

I honestly believe that one of the greatest injustices to the student of judo is for the coach to come to a class unprepared. A Judo coach doesn’t teach from the hip so to speak. For the coach to stand before a class and say, “let’s see, what will we work on tonight?” is really just……unpardonable. Coaching judo is not impromptu. There is no short cutting lessons or lesson plans. Coaching or teaching judo is no different than teaching in general, there should be lesson plans, class material must be prepared in advance. The coach must plan well in advance of any given session to affect some continuity of material that is presented. The coach should attempt to link material from one session to the next.

It is important that a good coach not only be a student of Judo but also in the field of athletic performance…. After all what is judo…..yep it’s athletic movement. Read as much as you can on all the subjects that will affect you. Among many topics, this would include literature on athletic training methods, sport specific conditioning, nutrition, sports medicine, and sports psychology.

A good coach will continue training themselves. A good judo coach should be fully aware, that judo is an endless path and should not succumb to the self-delusion of believing that they know everything. A good coach should be skilled, experienced and athletic, but those three alone make a good judoka, not a good coach.

A coach's job isn't just to be good at judo but it's also to impart that skill to his students. Coaches need to have good communication skills, patience and an ability to adapt their teaching style to a range of different individuals.  A knowledgeable judo coach will be capable of getting the student to the level he or she desires be it a recreational level or the elite competitive level.

Barron Shepherd is a 3rd degree black belt instructor and USA JUDO certifed coach, a certified boxing coach and certified NASM Sports Performance Enhancement Specialist.

JUDO: STAY THE COURSE NO MATTER WHAT!

“It is wrong to assume Judo ends in the dojo. Judo isn’t what many people think it to be. It is more than a fighting art that is practiced in the dojo. Judo is the basic principle of human behavior. When this principle is applied to defense against an attack of any kind or applied as physical education in randori at the dojo, this is yet but only one aspect of judo.”

Judo is not just skill. It is a way of life. Judo is a fighting skill, however, it became absorbed into a more complex, richer, and universal Judo which evolved into a principle that can be applied across the spectrum of one’s life.  So, for everyone who told me that 55 is old or those who call me an old man…. To the guys who are half my age… LISTEN UP!!! The question isn't can I keep up with you, the question is... CAN YOU KEEP UP WITH ME!

My goal in the martial arts has always been about being the best I can be as a person in every way. It hasn't been about riding the coat tails of a known martial arts personality or even my instructor. It has always been about blood sweat and tears hard training and putting in the work needed to be in shape and be the best that I can be mentally, physically and spiritually. That is kind of how one lives, endures and even survives shit. 

 I didn't start training in judo seriously until later in life. In 1991 at the age of 26, I stepped into a judo class. Judo was like no other style I had trained in and I was assured of two things by the Judo instructor; Rank would nt come easy nor would it come fast. I was told by the instructor that this would be an endeavor that would take years of hard work. My Judo instructor wasn't kidding.

The physical demands of Judo are unique and rather complex.  You become tough with Judo physically, mentally and spiritually . Physically you have to endure regular pain in Judo.  You have to overcome someone trying to throw you, choke you, arm lock, pin you. In practice alone you get slammed to the mat literally hundreds of times a night, you face exhaustion, you deal with someone's weight on top on you in newaza or ground fighting . Mentally enduring all this competitiveness tends to makes one competitive, strong, determined, focused.

Judo offered the ultimate in every aspect, as a sport, a martial art and an effective means of self defense. It gives one sheer will. Judo taught me to prepare mentally, physically and spirtually to withstand the rigors of an assault of the mind body and spirit. Judo quite literally saved my life at 51 years old when I was hit and ran over by a semi truck.

"No citizen has the right to be an amatuer when it comes to the matter of physical training. What a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without even seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable." - Socrates

I am approaching 56 and I am still training and setting new goals, challenging myself both mentally and physically. I am more determined than ever. 

I am a guy who believes that hard work keeps a man honest. I don't really care about what others may say about me good or bad. I am always doing my own thing. Life is just too damn short to let others hold you back.

Defiance is ageless. You’re never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. Be a wolf, be a lion. Take advantage of no one. Don't lie. Be a better person. Live right. Eat right. Take no shit. Don't apologize for being awesome. Defy the odds and most importantly stay the course. 

IS YOUR JUDO SCHOOL LEGITIMATE?

One of the questions I often get asked the most is how to tell if a judo school or program is legitimate. This is a pretty simple question to answer. Judo is pretty well regulated. If you're attending a dojo whose instructor is recognized by one of the official Judo organizations then it is more than likely legitimate, but dont stop there. For the sake of this article I am going to hit on as many indicators as I can for the person interested in looking for an authentic judo program.

Some dojos follow tradition more than others and maybe the judo school that you are looking at just happens to be less formal. Not a problem really......for example in my school, just call me coach, not sensei, and incessant bowing drives me nuts anyway. 

Spending the first month doing nothing but ukemi (breakfall) is nothing unusual, though they should have shown you one or two techniques at some point during that first month. These may well be techniques like Osoto-gari, Seoi-nage or O-goshi. The style of instruction can change depending on whether your school focuses on producing competitors or is more of a traditional school of people who want to do Judo as a hobby or recreation.

So, what is it that one needs to look at as far as the authenticity of a judo school or program?

First and foremost, Judo is a rigorous and demanding physical activity. There isn’t a whole lot of standing around or long lectures in judo. The practice of judo techniques helps people develop basic and fundamental physical fitness in a number of ways, such as the development of strength, flexibility, agility, speed, dynamic and static balance, explosive power, and endurance. My Judo program involves teaching Judo to non-competitive and competitive members, I focus on making students who are more physically fit and better disciplined with a solid knowledge of judo.

Any person who is looking to take up judo should make sure that the instructor is a member of a National Governing Body (NGB) of Judo. There are only three national governing bodies for judo in the United states, these are the following;

1. USA JUDO

2. USJA - The United States Judo Association

3. USJF - The United States Judo Federation

These above national governing bodies are the only ones in the US that are recognized by the Kodokan as well as the IJF, the International Judo Federation. The Kodokan, or the Kōdōkan Judo Institute is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community. The International Judo Federation (IJF) is the world governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of judo.

IMPORTANT NOTE: There are no other organizations other than USA JUDO, USJA and the USJF that are recognized or endorsed by the Kodokan in the United States.

The Judo instructor should be a black belt (Dan grade) that has registered and VERIFIED rank with one of the national governing bodies of judo, USA Judo, USJI or USJF and the instructor should also have a coaching certificate from one of the national governing bodies as well. Also, most instructors should have some tournament experience, competed in judo tournaments on some level at some point in their careers.

Judo is by its design a full contact martial art. Virtually every legitimate Judo Dojo is full contact. In Randori and tournaments you find out pretty quickly if your instructor and his students know what they are doing or not. The Judo black belts will and do randori with the beginners. A good Judo instructor will “move around” with the white belts. My fondest memories in Judo are being a complete newbie and being thrown by the instructor and hitting the mat as light as a feather. These instructors know thier judo and really put the “art” in “martial art."

From a technical point of view, the most important thing is if an instructor can explain what makes a technique work well and what won’t work. The instructors who can break down complex movements and concepts into smaller segments which can be explained concisely in a short period of time really understands how to teach. In addition, it is important for an instructor to know how to structure daily lessons and have a good sense of controlling time during the lesson. A good instructor understands how to convey information in such a way it is meaningful to the students to apply. To take it further, in a competition-oriented program, a good instructor knows how to prepare the program for competition.

GOOD INDICATORS:

1. Slick, crisp, seemingly effortless throws

2. Standup randori is a common part of each training session

3. Detailed instruction

4. A history of success in some competitions outside their own dojo (The instructor doesn’t have to be an elite level competitor, the point is you can’t have minor success even at a recreational level without having at least some skill)

BAD INDICATORS:

1. Strained, clumsy looking throws

2. No frequent standup randori

3. Instructors groaning and moaning stuff like "this guy is too heavy", "that throw never works without the partner helping"

4. Zero participation in NGB sanctioned tournaments (sometimes the reason is the "instructors” are afraid of having their skills or teachings tested)

RED FLAGS TO LOOK FOR

There are numerous red flags to look for that will help one determine if the judo instructor or program are questionable.

1. The most obvious being of course and the one that needs to be repeated, is not being a member of any of the recognized NGBs. This is the most important one and is definitely a very good indicator.

2. “The NGBs are all about the sport of judo and nothing else.” This is not a very intelligent statement to make and nothing could be further from the truth. First off, and most importantly if the NGBs only catered to sport oriented judoka the NGBs could not exist financially. There just isn’t an abundance of competition-oriented judoka that could sustain the national governing bodies for judo in the US much less just one. Catering to only sport judo and ignoring the abundance of non-competitive judoka would be the equivalent of cutting their throats financially.

Secondly, a quick look at the three NGBS and you will see a wide range curriculum for both the competitive sport judoka and the non-competitive judoka. In Judo it's likely that you'll be able to obtain a black belt in 3 to 6 years based on your commitment to the art. Notice I said “commitment to the art of judo” and not sport of judo. Part of the art is competition, ie. randori. If you are involved with the sport of judo and compete regularly you may attain rank closer to the lower end of the 3 to 6 years spectrum mentioned above.

To give you an idea of how rank may be earned in any of the NGBs let’s look at what it may take to go from the rank shodan, first degree blackbelt to nidan, second degree blackbelt. In the three NGBs you have to have so many years at shodan level to be promoted to nidan level. Let say, for example, one has to be a shodan for at least 4 years minimum to be eligible for nidan. This requirement is for non-competitive judoka or those not involved with the sport. If you compete in sanctioned judo tournaments regularly you may get a percentage of time up to 30 percent knocked off the standard minimum requirement. This means a active competitive judoka could earn his nidan in three years, shaving a year off the time in grade. 

Some NGBs offer other programs outside of sport judo to help non competitive judoka, grass roots judo programs, self defense instructor programs, kata certification programs etc.

When an "instructor" tells you they aren’t a member of any of the NGBs and that their requirements are different this generally means they cant meet the NGB’s standards or do not want to put the time in that is required by the NGBs for rank at every level of judo from beginner to advanced.....RED FLAG!

3. The instructor says that their standards are different than that of the recognized NGBs. This will typically mean that the standards in his class are much lower, very substandard at best to absolutely having no standards at all. I personally had a guy come into my class and wanted to be an assistant instructor and help out with judo. He said he was a black belt and vehemently claimed he knew all 65 throws of the Kodokan left and right side (this isnt a statement a legit judoka would make). Upon observing him, the extent of his knowledge was just being able to do throws from only a static position on a total compliant and motionless uke. He could not apply the techniques moving around on a resisstant opponent in randori. Not being able to randori or absence of randori in training is a strong indication the person or school isnt legitimate.

4. They use the term or phrase “Kodokan Judo”, for example they say they were “promoted to black belt in Kodokan Judo”. This is yet another big red flag! Legit judoka refer to Judo as simply JUDO. There is just no need to describe it as anything else in any of the three NGBs which are the only three organizations that are endorsed by the Kodokan itself. The only ones who currently use the term “Kodokan Judo” seem to be those with extremely suspicious and questionable backgrounds and practices. This differentiation is generally used to convince others they are more legitimate than they really are. You will even see folks use the term coupled with the word “traditional.” This should serve as another red flag.

5. Putting down the sport or its NGBs. You might read or hear something like the following: “The NGBs are far from having any real authority or influence in governing anything related to traditional judo.”                                                    Again this is very misleading as that only Judo’s recognized governing bodies (USA JUDO, USJF, USJA) in the US are endorsed by the Kodokan. The Kodokan is where judo originated and serves as the headquarters of the worldwide judo community. Also and most importantly the requirement for ranks in the three national governing bodies here in the US meet the same requirements as that of the Kodokan's. 

Judoka have no qualms about randori with anyone. Again Randori is a BIG part of judo training. Instructors who tend to shy away from randori as well as competition tend to be on the less reputable side of things.  Normally this might be put to the student in this manner…..”we don’t do sport judo we teach only self-defense” or “we just teach traditional judo.” To clarify, there are a lot of registered instructors and programs that do not compete and that is okay. However, randori SHOULD still be present in training. If the instructor says he doesn’t do sport judo nor is he affiliated with one of the recognized NGBs, then you should seek out a another teacher and program. 

6. Kodokan membership card. This is a somewhat rare phenomenon but there has been a few times where questionable individuals try and use the Kodokan membership card as a proof of their rank, affiliation, a license and or a endorsement from the Kodokan.  There have even been some cases of forged or photoshopped Kodokan member cards and documents. Membership cards from the Kodokan can be purchased by tourists or anyone simply visiting the KDK or doing a walk thru tour. A life time member card is less than a hundred US dollars. My advice is dont take a KDK member card on its own as proof of rank or endorsement. 

 FAKE KODOKAN MEMBER CARD

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:

Once again your suspicions should go up if your instructor isnt affiliated with any of the recognized NGBs. Question them as to why they are not affiliated with the recognized governing bodies for judo and listen to the answers they give and mannerisms when asked questions. If they act put off or upset then just walk away. There is nothing wrong with basically interviewing the instructor and asking him about his qualifications and experience etc. Questioning an instructors qualifications isnt insulting. If the instructor is qualified he will have no problems at al with answering your questions.  If the instructor cant answer your questions very simply then it is a good indicator that there is something wrong.

In this day and time many of the documents mentioned in this article for verification can be photo shopped, changed and forged. If he says he is a instructor who is in good standing with one of the recognized NGBs and even shows credentials, double check the information by contacting the NGB and verify what he says. That is one of the reasons USA JUDO, the USJA and USJF exist. Not only will he have a member card and certificates but he will also be on their member, instructor and coaches lists and rosters.

QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK

Dont be afraid or worried to ask the instructor if he is affiliated with one of the recognized national governing bodies for judo in the US. This is a simple yes or no question. If the answer is yes then ask if his rank is verified thru them and if he is a certified coach thru them as well. The NGBs require instructors to become certified as coaches as well when they become black belts. The more of these credentials that he has from the NGBs the better, but double check his credentials by contact the NGBs directly. If the instructor isnt affiliated with USA JUDO, USJA or USJF then seek out another instructor.

JUDO IS JUDO

Dont Forget Judo is judo, no legitimate judoka sees or feels the need to use terms such as Kodokan Judo or Traditional Kodokan Judofor any kind of differentiation. Judo is judo, it is; 1.) a martial art, 2.) a combat sport, as well as 3.) an effective self defense system. Judo encompasses all three not just one or two. 

 

RYOHEI UCHIDA : JUDO'S NINJA

Ryohei Uchida was born in Fukuoka prefecture. He was the son of Shinto Muso-ryu practitioner Uchida Ryōgorō, and from an early age was interested in many forms of Japanese traditional martial arts, including kyudo, kendo, judo and sumo. In 1895, he attended the Toyogo University, where he studied the Russian language and in 1897, made a trip to Siberia.

It was 1903, and in less than a year, Japan and Russia would be at war. Russian intelligence officers would have paid dearly for information that Ryohei Uchida was in Vladivostok, Russia and that Japan's first overseas judo dojo, the Urajio, was in reality a secret headquarters for the spy activities of The Kokuryu-kai (the Black Dragon Society).

The dojo in Vladivostok was run by six hand picked men by Ryohei Uchida to specifically cater to young Russian military officers by exposing them to the new Japanese art of judo and hopefully gain access onto the military base under the guise of instructing officers in judo.

In all the annals of Japanese history there has been nothing more mysterious and sinister than this secret organization. The Kokuryu-kai flourished as a special headquarters for espionage, sabotage, revolution, intimidation and assassination.

Known to a relative few in Japan, and then only by the innocuous name of the Amur River Society, the Kokuiyu-kai was founded in 1901 by Ryohei Uchida. In the 40 years of its shadowy, cloak-and-dagger existence, the long hand of the Black Dragon Society could be found in wars and revolutions, the assassination of a queen and the abdication of an emperor, the murder of prime ministers, the overthrow of cabinets, the intimidation of statesmen, the annexation of foreign colonies and the operation of extensive overseas spy rings. It even organized and financed Manchurian bandits, Korean fanatics and Filipino revolutionaries.

Uchida was the descendant of a long line of samurai, one of whom had been exiled to an offshore island for his rebellious nature. His father, Ryogoro Uchida, served in the Kuroda clan as a bushi in the late Edo Period, and it was from his father that the young Uchida developed an ambition to see Japan expand into Korea.

Uchida's father Ryogoro, was quite famous in Kyushu for his skill in the martial arts, attaining great proficiency in the Itoryu School of kendo, the Shinto-Muso ryu School of jojutsu and the Kyushin-ryu school of jujitsu. Ryohei Uchida attained repute as a renowned marksman in kyudo at a very early age. He was also a fine sumo wrestler, while his father became his personal coach in kendo and jojutsu. Uchida also began to study judo.

As a youth, Uchida joined the Genyosha nationalist group and soon became the leading disciple of its founder, Toyama Mitsuru. The Genyosha was active in raising funds and agitating for a more aggressive foreign policy towards the Asian mainland. When the Donghak Rebellion began in Korea in 1894, Uchida went to Korea to help the rebels.

While in Korea Uchida had taken over the tactical operations of the Genyosha and organized a subsidiary group called Tenyuko (God-Gifted Samurai) — 12 handpicked adventurers dedicated to the task of ensuring that Japan would not be robbed of the fruits of its victory over China.

 The 12 men hand picked by Uchida created a small riot, and in the confusion, dressed as tonghaks, but wearing masks, they successfully entered the Royal house and slew the queen, Empress Myeongseong . The tonghaks, rebellious Koreans, took the blame for the incident.

By 1895 Uchida was in Tokyo at Toyogo University studying Russian. He also worked out at the Kodokan and established a special relationship with shihan Jigoro Kano. Ryohei achieved the rank of go-dan, and some years later became master of the Keio University Judo Club. His father not only continued to coach him daily in jojutsu, but also found time to teach Navy men and police in the art of the short stick.

The young Uchida also played a part in organizing the first judo dojo in Kyushu together with Jigoro Kano in 1897. Called "Tenshinkan," it was headed by a colleague of Uchida named Hyozo Chiba who later became the first instructor to visit the U.S. to teach judo. Needless to say, the young volunteers who would comprise the newly formed Dark Oceean Society and later the membership of  the Black Dragon Society were given a thorough indoctrination in the martial arts as well as in the ultra-nationalistic philosophy of the two societies.

By 1901, Uchida founded the Black Dragon Society and by 1903, Uchida was sneaking around Russia and Manchuria directing his network of spies, mobilizing Manchurian bandits and Chinese guerrillas for the coming struggle against the Russians, Mitsuru Toyama formerly of the Genyosha (Dark Ocean Society) was "persuading" politicians to his way of thinking.

Front row Left to Right: Ryohei Uchida, K. Iizuka, Sakuzo Uchida, Ikkan Miyakawa. Back Row: Isogai, Nagaoka, Jigoro Kano (seated) Yoshitsugu Yamashita (taught Pres. Teddy Rosevelt Judo).

Toyama mapped out the policies, while Uchida directed the operations. Singly, each man was impressive and powerful in his own right, but together they made an unbeatable pair. They sent literally hundreds of their followers to Manchuria and-Siberia as secret agents.

Mitsuru Toyama was just beginning to make good headway when he suddenly locked horns with the stubborn Prince Ito who favored coming to an understanding with Russia. As the nation's leading elder statesman, Prince Ito exerted more influence on governmental policy than any other single man in Japan. Toyama realized that unless the Prince threw his support behind those advocating a war policy, there would be no war and the Black Dragon's cherished crusade of driving Russia out of all territory below the Amur River (dividing Manchuria from Russia) to make way for Japanese expansion would collapse.

One day in the summer of that year, 1903, Toyama and three burly judoka approached Prince Ito at his seaside villa in Oiso, some 50 miles south of Tokyo. By cajoling, flattering and threatening the Prince, Toyama was able to alter the Prince's war policy.

When war with Russia finally came in 1904, the Japanese Imperial Army took the Kokuryu-kai under its wing temporarily as an intelligence organization. Black Dragon agents were even attached to the army in the field as interpreters and guides.

RYOHEI UCHIDA : JUDO'S NINJA

Ryohei Uchida was born in Fukuoka prefecture. He was the son of Shinto Muso-ryu practitioner Uchida Ryōgorō, and from an early age was interested in many forms of Japanese traditional martial arts, including kyudo, kendo, judo and sumo. In 1895, he attended the Toyogo University, where he studied the Russian language and in 1897, made a trip to Siberia.

It was 1903, and in less than a year, Japan and Russia would be at war. Russian intelligence officers would have paid dearly for information that Ryohei Uchida was in Vladivostok, Russia and that Japan's first overseas judo dojo, the Urajio, was in reality a secret headquarters for the spy activities of The Kokuryu-kai (the Black Dragon Society).

The dojo in Vladivostok was run by six hand picked men by Ryohei Uchida to specifically cater to young Russian military officers by exposing them to the new Japanese art of judo and hopefully gain access onto the military base under the guise of instructing officers in judo.

In all the annals of Japanese history there has been nothing more mysterious and sinister than this secret organization. The Kokuryu-kai flourished as a special headquarters for espionage, sabotage, revolution, intimidation and assassination.

Known to a relative few in Japan, and then only by the innocuous name of the Amur River Society, the Kokuiyu-kai was founded in 1901 by Ryohei Uchida. In the 40 years of its shadowy, cloak-and-dagger existence, the long hand of the Black Dragon Society could be found in wars and revolutions, the assassination of a queen and the abdication of an emperor, the murder of prime ministers, the overthrow of cabinets, the intimidation of statesmen, the annexation of foreign colonies and the operation of extensive overseas spy rings. It even organized and financed Manchurian bandits, Korean fanatics and Filipino revolutionaries.

Uchida was the descendant of a long line of samurai, one of whom had been exiled to an offshore island for his rebellious nature. His father, Ryogoro Uchida, served in the Kuroda clan as a bushi in the late Edo Period, and it was from his father that the young Uchida developed an ambition to see Japan expand into Korea.

Uchida's father Ryogoro, was quite famous in Kyushu for his skill in the martial arts, attaining great proficiency in the Itoryu School of kendo, the Shinto-Muso ryu School of jojutsu and the Kyushin-ryu school of jujitsu. Ryohei Uchida attained repute as a renowned marksman in kyudo at a very early age. He was also a fine sumo wrestler, while his father became his personal coach in kendo and jojutsu. Uchida also began to study judo.

As a youth, Uchida joined the Genyosha nationalist group and soon became the leading disciple of its founder, Toyama Mitsuru. The Genyosha was active in raising funds and agitating for a more aggressive foreign policy towards the Asian mainland. When the Donghak Rebellion began in Korea in 1894, Uchida went to Korea to help the rebels.

While in Korea Uchida had taken over the tactical operations of the Genyosha and organized a subsidiary group called Tenyuko (God-Gifted Samurai) — 12 handpicked adventurers dedicated to the task of ensuring that Japan would not be robbed of the fruits of its victory over China.

 The 12 men hand picked by Uchida created a small riot, and in the confusion, dressed as tonghaks, but wearing masks, they successfully entered the Royal house and slew the queen, Empress Myeongseong . The tonghaks, rebellious Koreans, took the blame for the incident.

By 1895 Uchida was in Tokyo at Toyogo University studying Russian. He also worked out at the Kodokan and established a special relationship with shihan Jigoro Kano. Ryohei achieved the rank of go-dan, and some years later became master of the Keio University Judo Club. His father not only continued to coach him daily in jojutsu, but also found time to teach Navy men and police in the art of the short stick.

The young Uchida also played a part in organizing the first judo dojo in Kyushu together with Jigoro Kano in 1897. Called "Tenshinkan," it was headed by a colleague of Uchida named Hyozo Chiba who later became the first instructor to visit the U.S. to teach judo. Needless to say, the young volunteers who would comprise the newly formed Dark Oceean Society and later the membership of  the Black Dragon Society were given a thorough indoctrination in the martial arts as well as in the ultra-nationalistic philosophy of the two societies.

By 1901, Uchida founded the Black Dragon Society and by 1903, Uchida was sneaking around Russia and Manchuria directing his network of spies, mobilizing Manchurian bandits and Chinese guerrillas for the coming struggle against the Russians, Mitsuru Toyama formerly of the Genyosha (Dark Ocean Society) was "persuading" politicians to his way of thinking.

Front row Left to Right: Ryohei Uchida, K. Iizuka, Sakuzo Uchida, Ikkan Miyakawa. Back Row: Isogai, Nagaoka, Jigoro Kano (seated) Yoshitsugu Yamashita (taught Pres. Teddy Rosevelt Judo).

Toyama mapped out the policies, while Uchida directed the operations. Singly, each man was impressive and powerful in his own right, but together they made an unbeatable pair. They sent literally hundreds of their followers to Manchuria and-Siberia as secret agents.

Mitsuru Toyama was just beginning to make good headway when he suddenly locked horns with the stubborn Prince Ito who favored coming to an understanding with Russia. As the nation's leading elder statesman, Prince Ito exerted more influence on governmental policy than any other single man in Japan. Toyama realized that unless the Prince threw his support behind those advocating a war policy, there would be no war and the Black Dragon's cherished crusade of driving Russia out of all territory below the Amur River (dividing Manchuria from Russia) to make way for Japanese expansion would collapse.

One day in the summer of that year, 1903, Toyama and three burly judoka approached Prince Ito at his seaside villa in Oiso, some 50 miles south of Tokyo. By cajoling, flattering and threatening the Prince, Toyama was able to alter the Prince's war policy.

When war with Russia finally came in 1904, the Japanese Imperial Army took the Kokuryu-kai under its wing temporarily as an intelligence organization. Black Dragon agents were even attached to the army in the field as interpreters and guides.

JUDO IN THE MOVIES: Close Quarters, Gun play and Judo

by Barron Shepherd



In the fast paced, bullet laden action spectacle 'John Wick' we see Keanu Reeves as a retired A-list hit man. John Wick (Keanu Reeves), has just lost his wife to an undisclosed illness,  he receives a gift from her posthumously in the form of a Beagle puppy, along with a letter from her saying she arranged for him to have the puppy to help him cope with her demise. Initially indifferent to the pup, he eventually connects with it as they spend the day driving around in his vintage '69 Mustang.

At a gas station, he encounters a trio of Russian gang members, whose leader insists on buying his car. John refuses to sell. The three follow John to his home, break in at night, and attack John kill the puppy and steal his car. Robbed of his opportunity to grieve Wick takes his revenge and It doesn't take long before the Russian gangsters wish they had crossed paths with someone else.

To portray the assassin John Wick whose very name strikes terror in the cold hearts of Russian gangsters required a 50 year old Reeves, to pull off a series of physically grueling and highly complex action scenes involving high body counts and make it all look effortless.

In preparation for his role of John Wick Reeves spent four months getting in shape and learning Judo using the practical grappling martial art and mixing in guns to create a brutal style of close-quarters combat. The result exhibits a creative simplicity that gives Reeves fight scenes a ferocious honesty. Revealing the emotional angst behind John Wick each fight scene told a story with the brutal choreography counterbalancing the stages of Wick’s grievous loss.

The mix of Judo and gun play was something I have always wanted to see put in a movie, After watching “John Wick” I have to say that is the best movie to incorporate Judo in the fight scenes that I have seen. You don't see these type of  fight scenes in movies and it fit perfectly. I personally hope that judo has opened eyes of Hollywood and we see a lot more.

Judo competitor Tadahiro Nomura attended the 'John Wick' Japan Premiere at the Differ Ariake Arena on September 30, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. I honestly hope that we begin to see more and more utilized in mainstream movies. Close Quarters, Gun play and judo!!!!!

JUDO IN THE MOVIES: Close Quarters, Gun play and Judo

by Barron Shepherd



In the fast paced, bullet laden action spectacle 'John Wick' we see Keanu Reeves as a retired A-list hit man. John Wick (Keanu Reeves), has just lost his wife to an undisclosed illness,  he receives a gift from her posthumously in the form of a Beagle puppy, along with a letter from her saying she arranged for him to have the puppy to help him cope with her demise. Initially indifferent to the pup, he eventually connects with it as they spend the day driving around in his vintage '69 Mustang.

At a gas station, he encounters a trio of Russian gang members, whose leader insists on buying his car. John refuses to sell. The three follow John to his home, break in at night, and attack John kill the puppy and steal his car. Robbed of his opportunity to grieve Wick takes his revenge and It doesn't take long before the Russian gangsters wish they had crossed paths with someone else.

To portray the assassin John Wick whose very name strikes terror in the cold hearts of Russian gangsters required a 50 year old Reeves, to pull off a series of physically grueling and highly complex action scenes involving high body counts and make it all look effortless.

In preparation for his role of John Wick Reeves spent four months getting in shape and learning Judo using the practical grappling martial art and mixing in guns to create a brutal style of close-quarters combat. The result exhibits a creative simplicity that gives Reeves fight scenes a ferocious honesty. Revealing the emotional angst behind John Wick each fight scene told a story with the brutal choreography counterbalancing the stages of Wick’s grievous loss.

The mix of Judo and gun play was something I have always wanted to see put in a movie, After watching “John Wick” I have to say that is the best movie to incorporate Judo in the fight scenes that I have seen. You don't see these type of  fight scenes in movies and it fit perfectly. I personally hope that judo has opened eyes of Hollywood and we see a lot more.

Judo competitor Tadahiro Nomura attended the 'John Wick' Japan Premiere at the Differ Ariake Arena on September 30, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. I honestly hope that we begin to see more and more utilized in mainstream movies. Close Quarters, Gun play and judo!!!!!

JUDO BREAK FALLING TECHNIQUES

Break falling techniques are a safe method of falling that all practitioners of judo learn. An Integral part of Judo is knowing how to break your fall. Judo concentrates on throwing your partner to the mat in training, so knowing how to fall is essential especially if you want you and your partner to be able to get up again to continue to train.

Few martial arts teach break falling techniques and most of those that do usually wait until the student has reached a more advanced level.  Knowing how to fall protects you from injury in training, in competition and for self defense purposes. If you fall badly either from being pushed down, Knocked down, tripped, thrown or slammed to the ground  in a fight you risk disabling injury.

Break falling techniques (Ukemi) allow you to hit the ground with any kind of reasonable impact and recover without injury. Basically, break falling techniques spread the impact of a fall over the widest area possible allowing the person getting thrown to disperse that force over that area.  Okay physics time!!!!! Break falls work by using the laws of physics. Pressure is the key force here. Pressure (P) is defined as unit of force (F) per unit of area (A), in mathematical form: P=F/A. When you do a break fall, more of you hits the ground. So this means that a larger area makes impact. Because the force of impact is divided by the area, more area means less pressure. Less pressure means less damage. 

In addition, as you learn to be more and more comfortable with falling you become more relaxed. By learning how to place your body correctly and thereby learning to relax as you fall you disperse the force thus reducing the chance of injury. The more relaxed you are also lessens the chance of being injured.

BASIC BREAK FALLS

Break fall drills begin gently and from low postures. As the student progresses they are performed faster and from higher postures.

BACK BREAK FALLS (Ushiro Ukemi)

Squat low, crossing your arms in front of you, and fall backward, keeping your chin tucked in and slap the mat hard as you fall.  As you fall, slap the mat with both of your arms, striking it with the forearm and hand. It is utmost important to be relaxed and to keep your chin tucked in to prevent striking your head against the mat.

SIDE BREAK FALLS (Yoko Ukemi)

From a squatting position, raise your right arm out in front and across your body, and step out with your right foot. You will now lose your balance and naturally fall to your right side As you fall, to keep your head from hitting the mat keep your chin tucked in tightly to your chest, looking down toward your right foot. Slap the mat hard with your right forearm and hand as you land on your back and let your feet down on the mat. It is important that your feet do not touch each other when falling sideways, as the bones striking each other may cause injury.

Resume the squatting position and practice falling to the left, reversing the above directions. The sideways fall is the most important method of falling in Judo.

FORWARD ROLL BREAK FALLS ( Zenpo Kaiten Ukemi)

Step forward with your right foot, raising your right hand in front of you and curving the fingers inward. Bend forward at the waist, touching the mat lightly with both hands at the same time step forward with the right foot bending at the knee. basically executing a shoulder roll keeping your chin tucked in to avoid hitting your head on the mat. Keep your arms relaxed as you tumble, and do not straighten your arms. As you land on your back, slap the mat hard with your left hand.

THE HISTORY OF JUDO IN THE MILITARY

Judo from its very beginning has been a self-defense and combat discipline. The original Judo from Jigoro Kano was and still is a full featured combat discipline which formed the basis for many Military and Police tactics around the world.

Judo served well as an official system of Japanese Imperial armed forces and Japanese police. In 1886 the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Academy hosted a tournament between the Kodokan (The Kodokan Institute, is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community in Japan.) and the prominent Jujutsu style, to determine which "style" the Academy would adopt into their training regimen. Out of the tournament's 15 matches the Kodokan won 12 and had 1 draw. The reason why the Kodokan was so successful at this historic meeting lies in one word: Randori. Randori or free sparring trained Kanos judokas in as close to real life and death combat as possible.

Judo was probably the first Japanese martial art introduced to the west, most notably through the U.S. military in the modern era. As American GIs were introduced to the Japanese culture from the early 1900’s onward it was inevitable that the martial art of Judo found its way into the American culture.

CPT. Allen Corstorphin Smith of the United States Army trained at the Kodokan in Japan. CPT. Smith was awarded a  judo black belt from the Kodokan in Japan in 1916 and was the hand to hand combat instructor at the Infantry school at ft, Benning Georgia.

Various aspects of Judo were taught to all U.S. military police as an effective way to deal with arresting and controlling drunken, brawling GIs without seriously harming them.  The great Judo legend Masahiko Kimura shared a story in his biography about being approached shortly after WWII in the summer of 1946 by a Capt. Shepherd of the U.S. Military Police to train Military Police personnel in Judo.

The United States Air Force has at times in its history been at the forefront of Combatives Training. Soon after the establishment of the Air Force as a separate service in September 1947, GEN Curtis Lemay was appointed as the Commanding General of the Strategic Air Command (SAC). GEN Lemay, who had masterminded the US air attacks on the Japanese mainland during World War II, knew that more US bomber groups in Europe had suffered more combat casualties than the US Marine Corps had in the pacific. Many of the lost Airmen ended up as German Prisoners of War. He was determined that all of his flying personnel would have a working knowledge of hand-to-hand combat to aid in escape and evasion.

In 1951 GEN Lemay appointed Emilio "Mel" Bruno, his Judo teacher and a former national American Athletic Union (AAU) Wrestling champion and fifth degree black belt in Judo, to direct a command wide Judo and combative measures program. He devised a program combining techniques from Aikido, Judo and Karate. In 1952 the Air Training Command took over the program. The Commanding General was General Thomas Power. Because of the deficiency in qualified instructors, Power sent two classes of twenty four Airmen to train at the Kodokan for several weeks. Based upon the success of this trial and after an official delegation from the Kodokan toured SAC bases in the United States, Bruno set up an eight week training course at the Kodokan. Students trained eight hours a day, five days a week and upon return to the United States were assigned throughout SAC. The course was a Japanese designed mix of judo, aikido, karate and taihojutsu.

From 1959 to 1966 the Air Force Combative Measures (Judo) Instructors Course was taught at Stead Air Force Base in Reno Nevada. The 155 hour course consisted of: 36 hours fundamentals of judo, 12 hours aikido, 12 hours karate, 12 hours Air Police Techniques, 12 hours Aircrew self-defense, 18 hours judo tournament procedures, 5 hours code of conduct and 48 hours training methods. There were also a 20 hour Combative methods course and a 12 hour Combative survival course for Aircrew members.

Being recognized as so effective in combat, Judo became the basis for most of the hand-to-hand combat skills taught to soldiers in basic training throughout all branches of the U.S. military.

Combatives, US Army Field Manual FM3-25-150, Department of the Army, 18 January 2002, Washington D.C.

 "Strikes are an inefficient method of ending a fight. However, they are a significant part of most fights, and a solider must have an understanding of fighting at striking range. It is important to note that while at striking range, you are open to being struck. For this reason, it is often better to avoid striking range."

US Marine Corps Close Combat, MCRP 3-02, Department of the Navy, 12 February 1999, Washington D.C.

 "Marines should avoid being on the ground during a close combat situation because the

battlefield may be covered with debris and there is an increased risk of injury. However, many close combat situations involve fighting on the ground. The priority in a ground fight is for Marines to get back on their feet as quickly as possible."

 Although Judo is widely considered an Olympic sport it is  however much more "combatives" oriented.  The judoka trains at grappling range, a close quarter combat range developing avenues to quickly put an end to a hand to hand or close quarter combat situation. Current Judo rules on groundwork foster such a mindset – execute and explode into a groundwork submission technique in a matter of seconds or get back on your feet.  Judo also prepares you mentally and physically to withstand the rigors of an assault. There is a reason that old school law enforcement and the United States military taught Judo...IT WORKS.