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Bridger Dyson-Smith
10th January 2001, 21:37
Greetings, everyone!
I was curious if I could persuade some of you to pass along some book titles for a beginner in judo. I went to my first class on Monday and saw a lot of stuff that makes me want to know more. Any recommendations? The club is setup for competition only at this point, as far as I could tell. It was a real hoot....
Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

Bridger Dyson-Smith

PS--At judoinfo.com, there are a bunch of video clips showing early judo (Mifune and others). When these judoka are practicing, why do they hop around like that? That may have been the biggest thing on my mind during class. Again, any information is super. Thanks again. Have a good day.

Ben_Holmes
11th January 2001, 01:35
Since I currently own about 75 books on Judo, I feel uniquely qualified to answer this one!


For the beginner in Judo, there's two books I'd recommend, "Kodokan Judo" by Jigoro Kano, and "Judo A-Z" by Syd Hoare.

Kodokan Judo is considered the "Bible" of Judo, and is absolutely necessary. I'm of the opinion that every Judoka should have their own copy. Currently available at most large chain bookstores in large paperback size.

Judo A-Z is a very interesting type of book, what the author did was to go though many of the older out-of-print Judo books, and if a technique was demonstrated, and had a name, he put it in "Judo A-Z"... so he created a sort of 'encyclopedia' of Judo. When I first found this book, I was fascinated to discover a favorite technique of mine had a name - "Kannuki Gatame". Now I've studied Judo for a *long* time, and never knew that name!! I *highly* recommend this book. Available through http://www.ippon-usa.com

Those are the only two that I'd recommend right away. But if you have the money, pick these up as well:

Best Judo - Isao Inokuma & Nobuyuki Sato
Judo Formal Techniques - Tadao Otaki & Donn Draeger
Judo Training Methods - Takahiko Ishikawa & Donn Draeger

And if you *really* want to spend money... you can't go wrong with the 14 titles in the "Masterclass" Series of books by http://www.ippon-usa.com. Each book specializes in just one or two techniques, and is written by a world champion famous for THOSE techniques. (example, the one on Osoto Gari was written by Yasuhiro Yamashita - who threw many of his opponents with it.) They're expensive, I think about $19.95 each... but well worth the money.

Bridger Dyson-Smith
11th January 2001, 02:25
Thank you very kindly, Ben! :smilejapa
Your input is extremely helpful.

Bridger Dyson-Smith

MarkF
11th January 2001, 08:42
Hi, Bridger,
I'm not sure if you are speaking of what appears to be hopping, that is entering for a throw, but sometimes, entering quickly appears to be hopping when in fact it is simply traditional tsubi ashi (walking the mat). However, there are times in randori or shiai when, while probably not the best thing to do, "hopping" to close the distance between tori and uke can mean the difference between completing the throw to being reversed. O soto gari is one in which you may see a kind of hop.

If you do get Kodokan Judo (Kodansha), it covers the basics of getting around the mat when engaged in free practice (randori).

About those clips at JudoInfo.com, take a look at Mifune Kyuzo entering for, I believe, seoi nage. If that is not abolute magic, and yes, I'd call it a dance, but an incredible one, I just don't understand judo. It is beautiful. Also, there is one of him doing one of the kukinage throws, sumi otoshi (corner drop).

Mark

BTW: Even if you think you are learning "contest" judo, don't be fooled into thinking it is not effective in a practical, or pragmatic, way, it is. Kodokan Judo was arranged by the founders to be taught and learned in a particular order as it was believed only in this way can one come close to mastering all judo. In fact, the general order is nage waza first, then katami, and then atemiwaza. Everyone is encouraged to practice all three, but, given little choice, nagewaza is to be considered most important.

Sometimes faith is all we have to go on, but when you feel more comfortable in the class, speak with the instructor concerning the direction of his dojo. S/he should be only too happy to discuss it.

Duke343
11th January 2001, 09:55
Welcome to Judo, Bridger.

Kodokan Judo, by Jigoro Kano is the Bible of Judo.
The Techinques of Judo, by Takagaki and Sharp has better pictures.

2 pieces of advice.

1) Never skip practice.

2) If you see someone do something you like, ask them how they did it.

Don't forget- you can hit someone with the planet harder than they can hit you with a fist.:D

Good luck,

Duke Lewis

Bridger Dyson-Smith
11th January 2001, 15:05
Mark and Duke,
Thanks very much. Where would I be without e-budo? That's something better left undisscussed, I'd imagine :D
As far as mentioning the nature of this club, ie 'competition', that was not a snub, but more information for reading material. I can't imagine I'll be competing anytime soon, but Kodokan Judo and some of the other texts will mention aspects of shiai, correct? As far as practical, watching these guys move and feeling it left me way impressed. Good stuff, indeed.

Mark:
Absolutely magic.

Duke:
Thanks for the quote, I'll be borrowing that, if it's ok.


Everyone, thank you for the advice and information. Have a good one.

Bridger

efb8th
11th January 2001, 20:14
Hi, Everybody.

Mark, isn't it 1. Ukemi, 2. Seiryoku Zen'yo Kokumin Taiiku, 3. Nage, 4. Katame & 5. Atemi? (You Americans all wanna start with the fancy stuff!)

I still haven't seen your cartoon.

Yer Buddy,

Aaron Fields
11th January 2001, 22:27
Oh... the talk of books warms this historian's heart. I agree with the above noted but would like to include Dynamic Judo by Kudo. This is a two book series, one on nage-waza, one on ne-waza. Published in 1966, by Japan Publications Trading Company

Robert Reinberger
11th January 2001, 23:16
Hello my dear Judoka,

please excuse my interruption of your talk.

Originally posted by MarkF

About those clips at JudoInfo.com, take a look at Mifune Kyuzo entering for, I believe, seoi nage. If that is not abolute magic, and yes, I'd call it a dance, but an incredible one, I just don't understand judo. It is beautiful. Also, there is one of him doing one of the kukinage throws, sumi otoshi (corner drop).
Mark, I also was able to identify one of the techniques shown by Mifune Sensei as Sumi otoshi. However, I had difficulties with the other clip, and finally believed it must be O Guruma. Am I wrong? Or do we speak about different clips? Are there more than two clips on this site, featuring Mifune Kyuzo S.?

Regards,
Robert

Dojorat
12th January 2001, 00:01
Greetins,

I've got over 25 years in a gi but I make no claims to any status of Judoka. I've managed to gather a few tomes however. I've noticed one trait worth mentioning in this thread. Depending on the interest and experience of the author, the text will tend to focus on that author's favorite techniques. An extreme example of this are the texts on specific techniques by the greats who used them with great success. The author tends IMHO to focus on the techniques that served them well. They're great if they happen to fit your particular morph, experience etc. However, if you're not working under the guidance of an experienced and knowledgeable instructor, you could be going down the wrong path quickly. Then there are the more general "encyclopaedic" such as Kano's "Kodokan Judo" quite possibly everything you want to know about Judo's in there. Go to your local Bookstore and Browse, Browse, Browse!!!

Cheers.

efb8th
12th January 2001, 00:58
Hi, Bridger.

Before you invest too much time in searching for Dynamic Judo's two beautiful volumes, I suggest you look for Judo In Action (the slightly abridged soft bound version). The hardcovers run about $100/ volume as opposed to the soft cover's $25 each. Search the net at 21northmain.com or abebooks.com for reliable sources. Both are out of print, so shop around for good prices.

Regards,

MarkF
12th January 2001, 08:51
Hi, Joe,
It seems everyone developes a tokui-waza, or favorite (most suitable nage), and mine are shoulder throws. Reasons vary, but mine is strictly because of a lack of height. My tokui back throws are ko soto gari and ko uchi gari, and as for sutemi-waza, yoko tomoe nage, or any other side sacrifice, to include uki-waza.

According to John Cornish, if one is on the road to making the Olympic team, some may have to discard one's tokui-waza, and from that, relearn the nage no kata so that a good coach could choose another suitable throw or throws.

Of course, Cornish is a kata specialist, and a darn good one. But yes, you are correct, Joe. It seems to come that way. Then again, Cornish counts ninety throws in the nage no kata. That is brutal.;)

Mark

MarkF
12th January 2001, 10:06
Hi, Robert,
Well, I do know I've seen three clips online of Mifune, seoinage, sumiotoshi, and O guruma, but the sumiotoshi I apparently didn't save. I had thought all three were on judoInfo, but now I cannot find it. Definitely O guruma, BTW, if anyone was wondering if it were harai goshi.

It still may be there, but on one of the other video sites on judoinfo, or possibly Judo Central.

Mark

Ben_Holmes
16th January 2001, 05:36
I know JudoInfo has clips of Mifune doing Sumiotoshi, and Oguruma... but I don't believe his Seoinage is there. I've replayed his Sumiotoshi perhaps a hundred times... I'm *almost* good enough to nail a white belt with the technique now... :)

And don't think I didn't notice the complete lack of comment about 'Kannuki Gatame'... everyone else already familiar with it?

MarkF
16th January 2001, 10:32
http://www.astrakan.hig.se/~tommy/judopic/kannuki.gif

Here's a drawing of it, and I've done this, but never did know what it was.
From the JudoInfo.com website, kansetsu waza.

Mark

efb8th
16th January 2001, 11:53
Hi, Guys.

Kannuki is a name for straight arm lock (also appears in Dan Zan Ryu Shinin [or Shinnin] no Maki). In a rear double arm lock version. Very nasty stuff in the one arm version, as it is a standing arm bar with multiple follow through possibilities. In your picture, Uke (in white) has gripped Tori's left lapel and gotten his wrist locked back by Tori's closing the gap and wrapping under Uke's rt. arm with his left. Tori then puts his left palm on his right arm which is pushing palm against Uke's left chest. This concentrates energy on the locked elbow from tori's left arm and right arm BOTH extending to dislocate. Throwing Sumi Gaeshi to Tori's right is an interesting variation, or pressing tori's right thumb into Uke's larynx is a nice touch. At this point, it's pretty much "Mix 'em, match 'em, trade 'em with your friends" as far as arts go.

Fun, huh?

Regards,