Research on Judo's Separation System and Fighting Technique Judo

 

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https://note.com/motoburyu/n/na7a7718d67d2

 

Research on Judo's Separation System and Fighting Technique Judo

April 22, 2023 11:33 PM

 

The following description is given in Nango Jiro's "This Year's Summer Practice" in the Kodokan's magazine "Judo" (August issue of Showa 18).

 

Unlike this year's summer rehearsals, the main building has listed two special events of training that can be carried out, and I hope that it will contribute to the reference of local leaders.

The first is at 2:30 p.m., after the first roll call of the summer practice, followed by a short time of "tai training" and "to" offense and defense lessons. This is because they believe that those who can train in the Japan pavilion tomorrow will be called to the front line tomorrow, and that the training of one-hit kills in the separation posture of judo is to be keenly aware of the necessity directly on the battlefield.

 

pp.2, 3

Nango Jiro (1876-1951) was the second director of the Kodokan. He was a naval officer with the final rank of rear admiral, but since he was the nephew of Jigoro Kano, he became the director of the Kodokan.

 

According to the above, in the summer practice held at the Kodokan in August 1943 (Showa 18), two tasks were practiced, unlike in previous years. One is a "separation posture" rehearsal, and the other is a 30-minute continuous practice called "number practice".

 

Since it was during the war, all of them must have been rehearsals with the actual battle on the battlefield in mind.

 

"Separation posture" is a difficult word, but in short, it is a battle and defense posture at a distance like karate and aikido. Therefore, it is said that the attack and defense practice of the hit (hitting technique) and the "body preparation" to avoid the hit were carried out from a distance.

 

At that time, "judo that can be used on the battlefield" was an urgent issue at the Kodokan. According to one theory, there was criticism from the military that judo was useless as a fighting sport.

 

As is well known, in judo, each player grabs each other's sleeves and collars to get carried out. If this system is called a "union posture," then the offensive and defensive posture in the union system is based on the prohibition of the time being. If they admit it, they will have no choice but to adopt a "separation posture."

 

Martial arts that fight in a separating posture include karate, boxing, and aikido, and martial arts that fight in a union stance include judo, sumo, and wrestling.

 

Already around the time of Jigoro Kano, how to incorporate this into judo has been an important issue. The reason why he invited Yoshijin Funakoshi to the Kodokan to observe a karate demonstration, and during his visit to Okinawa, he attended a demonstration by Motobu Asaki was probably for the purpose of studying karate. Yokomoto Isekichi, "Ryukyu Kyushu Companion Record" (1927) has the following description (Note 1).

 

Mr. Motobu broke a board that was thought to be eight minutes thick with a fist bone. I also saw a demonstration in which the double joint was easily split with the palm (the muscle on the little finger side). Mr. Motobu has been researching the practical application of this karaoke for many years, and is called the first person in Okinawa to try it in the field. The master touched Mr. Motobu's fists and palms with his hands, and he was greatly praised for his practice.

 

According to the above, Motobu Asaki was called "Okinawa No. 1" in practical applications of karate, that is, kumite, and Kano touched Motobu Asamoto's fists and palms and greatly praised his practice.

 

The form of "energetic good use national physical education" established by Kano was probably the result of karate research, but the disorder of separation was still an issue.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvqxiXiA9eM

Since Nango had a military background, its use on the judo battlefield must have been an important theme. In 1941 (Showa 16), by order of the director of the Nango Museum, a committee was established on "Judo techniques in separation postures" with Kunio Murakami as chairman (Note 2). In addition, at the Butokukai and Budo College in Kyoto, research was conducted mainly by Tamio Kurihara.

 

The study of judo techniques in a separating position was not done simply from a sporting point of view. It was also done from the viewpoint of positioning judo as a "hand-to-hand combat technique" that can be used on the battlefield. In other words, it is the study of "fighting art judo".

 

As the war intensified, school judo in particular became a part of martial arts as a combat art. Along with the positioning of "military combat skills", it was incorporated into the means of refining the "spirit of loyalty and courage" (Note 3).

 

However, after the war, due to various difficulties such as the "martial arts ban", the separation system of judo and research on its immediate existence declined. In addition, many of the materials related to the war were also incinerated for fear of being pursued by GHQ.

 

If the separation posture and pursuit of one's immediate self in judo had continued after the war, what would judo have it look like?

 

Note 1 Yokomoto Isekichi, "Ryukyu Kyushu Companion Record," Sakuoki, 6(3), Kodokan Bunka Kai, 1927, p. 35.

Note 2 Kenji Tomiki, "Judo Principles and Kendo Principles," Judo, 43(9), Kodokan, 1972, p. 5.

Note 3 Keiichi Okao, "'Judoka' Tamio Kurihara," Judo, 64(8), Kodokan, 1993, p. 39.