mitesco - judo

What is' civilization' or 'to be refined'? In connection with jita kyoei the word has different meanings which are all dealing with the moral obligations towards human society. In the word there is something like 'civis' which means in Latin: to be a good inhabitant of society. Or 'refining' is: making more 'fine', a matter of progress, education, getting better gradually. Jigoro Kano would say: 'well-educated', or: through education coming to more perfection as a man. Someone who is civilized, is not behaving like his instinct dictates, but is controlled and orderly. In that sense he builds civilization around him: a world in which there is place for everyone.

A civilized man knows the laws of the natural world, and therefore he can control them and bring happiness to mankind. At the same time, he examines the phenomena of the spiritual world. With regard to the history of humanity he sees the traces of progress and decline, of war and peace. He understands human nature, can think about the practices, builds a state based on laws. In this way there will be flourishment, progress in production, a prepared army and education makes progress. (Kano, 1917)

Applied on the judoka it is a standard of behavior, similar to decency, courtesy, etiquette, civility. 'Civilized' behavior or "civilization" is the opposite of rough, clumsy, indecent, stubborn behavior. In this meaning it has to do with 'refinement', virtue and well-being. The judoka as a gentleman.

1. Perception differs from reality

Martial arts have unfortunately still a bad name. People with 'decency' do not choose for the rough sports that most people only know from the movies. Bruce Lee is still neatly, but Rambo, Rocky and other human fighting-machines are not the things that civilized people like to watch. No educated man is watching movies like 'Fight Club', or? (You would by the way be surprised that the opposite is true...) Not to speak about the many computer games with fighters saying nothing, just smacking other people around. Many people shake their heads when they see posters of 'freefightnights', believing it is going on the same way in the dojo...

In the time of Jigoro Kano, jujitsu had the same bad name in the eyes of the people who didn't practice martial arts. People who are against violence, might have the idea that all martial arts are violent, uncivilized, crude and inhumane. That all judoka are mean streetfighters. That they are involved in drugs, or all work as chucker-outs in nightclubs and bars. It is based on ignorance, but the image lingers - and is something of all times. Just as there will be always people who are fundamentally opposed to something like an army. While you can be very well judoka and at the same time be pacifist. While you are better off in judo, if you don't smoke, don't drink (too much) and never take drugs...

We will not deny that there are martial arts, in which violence might be part of the game, certainly. Boxing and all sports where kicking against an unprotected head (or body) is part of the sport, and where a knockout is a risk, could be risky for the physical health in the longer term. Especially when techniques need to be carried out at full force, control could be more difficult. If you look at a K1 tournament in Tokyo, you could think that all Japanese martial arts are a kind of free fight. Less civilized, much violence.

But judo according to the principles of Jigoro Kano is fundamentally different. This web page tries to proclaim that in all modes. Judo is hard in terms of discipline and training, but never against the fellow. Falling causes no pain - though it might seem scary to those who never practice judo. Jigoro Kano removed all elements that could be harmful out of the jujitsu of his time. Although kansetsu- and shimewaza are still part of judo, the applications on the arms and neck are very limited, and a lot of possible armlocks and strangles belong to the prohibited acts. You won't get so easy Hansokumake, but definitely whenever you could possibly injure another judoka. Because that is against the spirit of judo. Atemiwaza are - partly for that reason - no longer part of the ordinary judo. Judo should never be used on the streets - except for legally defending yourself. Judo is of all martial arts the most gentle and civilized, indeed: it contributes to more civilization. Only ... how will the most-honored audience get to know?

Judoka need to show throughout their life that the common image of judo as a martial art is not correct. Principally, other people who have nothing with judo, should be surprised when they hear that you are a judoka - unless you live already exemplary. People who live with the stereotypical images of judo as a violent sport should better say "I never guessed" instead of "fits perfectly to you," or "I suppose you'll need it." In short: a judoka must be in his daily life an example of civilization. He is the best ambassador for judo if he is a man who is open and decent, giving the fellow his right, building happiness and welfare for all.

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2. Judoka's should be an example

Judo as a way of life means that the attitude of the judoka should be : bring fellow people always the best in word and deed. The controlled application of techniques related to a fellow judoka, learns to be always a worthy fellow to another. Judoka are dignified people. Characteristics of the civilization of a judoka would therefore be:

Quiet mastery in everything
Helpfulness
Kindness in the use of language and manners
Personal care and etiquette
Discipline
Faithfulness to promises
Active citizenship in the country and the community

You will develop qualities like patience, perseverance, optimism, reliability, honesty, thoughtfulness, perseverance, adaptability, humility, courage, discipline, self-sufficiency, intensity, sincerity, flexibility and cooperation. It also helps you to develop self-esteem, prudence, friendliness, calm and restraint. This comes together in one of the goals of judo: jika no kansei, the pursuit of perfection. (Neil Ohlenkamp)

Judoka are ambassadors for judo: people as perfect as possible, and at the same time relaxed. A judoka is:

Quiet and controlled in everything. Think of what is said in the menu 'selfcontrol'. angry and complaining people are sinning against all principles of seiryoku zenyo. Who masters his energy never let go, even if it might be an adequate response. A judoka is always looking for a way out, is mentally not to be hold down. Especially in a country where "a short fuse" is being more and more common, the judoka shows that his fuse is as long as a judobelt and inflammable. A judoka is aware that the fellow, no matter how annoying he might be, always deserves respect. On the tatami you also keep respect if the other is unsporting or brutal.

Helpful. Think of what jita kyoei originally was: mutual aid. What you can do together is always better. A judoka realizes that he is on the tatami never doing his own job, but always with each other. Who is weakened, it might be someone with a restriction (in the G- / disabled judo) or just a fellow judoka who is still not that good, will be supported by the higher rank to develop further and to gain confidence. That extends to people in distress, wherever he will meet them. A judoka never leaves a fellow in the lurch, but uses his own strength to go forward.

Friendly. Who as a judoka considers the other as a friend, even during combat, also applies that in general towards other people. Nobody is a competitor forever. Who wants to be treated on the tatami as a gentleman, behaves the same way to another. Even in the use of language a judoka always remains correct. Who would curse during randori, will be put outside the mat to cool down. The manners among people are nowadays sometimes rough and everybody believes that he can say what's on his heart. A judoka always knows when to stop, with his heart and with his mouth. A judoka knows how to deal with the emotions of others : not with roughness or screaming, but with gentleness.

Cared. The personal care and etiquette for a judoka are more or less fixed. You bend not only neatly to the other, the referee, or the sensei. You will care (by respect for the other judoka) about your entire body properly. You are clean, have a clean judogi, the belt tied correctly. You have no loose hair, no piercings, and the nails of fingers and toes are cut. This attitude is also outside the dojo obvious. A judoka never looks and smells like a pig, and knows to behave properly.

Disciplined. A judoka trains his body and mind to remain in balance. That will require willpower and diligence. A judoka can not be balanced, if he is doing in the hours of training is, but isn't during the time of study, work, meals, sleep and dealing with friends. A judoka says yes if it is good or useful, but also no if necessary. And consistently. A judoka is a person who masters himself and so he is totally in balance.

True to promises. If there is no motivation for his yes to be yes, and for his no to be no, or if he is always (too) late for training, the spirit of judo is neglected somehow. A judoka keeps his promises at every level. Those who practice judo, make of their judogi and belt a promise to live in the spirit of judo. In his whole life. A judoka must be reliable and shows in his whole attitude that jita kyoei is with him in safe hands.

Active citizen. Who, finally, has the larger goals of judo in his mind, is committed to society in the spirit of the Kodokan-judo. That means that citizenship in the country and community should be a normal thing. A judoka is necessarily a social man, who is open to the goals of the world and mankind. Generalizing views on fellow citizens do not fit him, rather he tries to build bridges between groups and people like he does in the dojo. A judoka is building peace in small and large communities and gives his energy to those great goals. Engagement in society is natural, from the deep experience of the ideals of jita kyoei.

A judoka is a real gentleman: 'gentle' in the sense of 'the gentle way' like judo is often translated: gentle, open, friendly, civilized. From a judoka you could expect that he is living the true judo spirit and even outside the tatami shows what he is worth. Just when people who know nothing about judo think that it is a hard sport, the judoka should do his best to show the opposite.

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