The Canon Of Judo

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The Canon of Judo
Author	Kyuzo Mifune
Language	English
Genre(s)	Martial Arts
Publisher	Kodansha International; Revised Edition (June 15, 2004)
Publication date	1960, 2004
Media type	Print (Hardcover)
Pages	224 (Revised Edition)
ISBN	ISBN 4-7700-2979-9 (revised edition, hardcover)

The Canon Of Judo is a book was originally published in 1960, and written by Kodokan 10th dan, Kyuzo Mifune (1883-1965). The book covers almost all of the Kodokan recognized techniques, adds variations and new techniques, although Do-Jime is barely mentioned (p.126). The book also describes fifteen Kata developed by Mifune to teach adaptation through reversal and counters. Notably, the book organizes the techniques differently than the official Kodokan Gokyo.

[edit] Subjects covered

The book gives a brief history of Ju-jutsu in Japan, and gives the lineage of Judo, referencing Ju-jutsu masters prior to Jigoro Kano. To show the early origins and continuous development of the martial arts in Japan, a long list of historical text sources, people, and schools and styles are mentioned.

In the book, Kyuzo Mifune explains his metaphysical view of Judo, its role in Japanese society (and the world), and benefits to the individual player. He notes that Judo initially only included throws, and explains the difference between Judo and Jujutsu. He goes over the role of competition in Judo, and the purpose of free practice, randori, and explains that it is an indispensable part of Judo.

It should be noted that although the book mentions the five kata, [1]

Nage (Throwing Forms)
Kime (Forms of Decision)
Katame (Grappling Forms)
Ju (Forms of Gentleness)
Koshiki (Ancient Forms)

it does not cover them. Furthermore, it does not cover Atemi-waza, but states that Atemi-waza include strikes, kicks, hits, and attacks using the fist, foot, elbow, kneecap, side of the palm, shoulder, or head, to attack the opponents vital points.

Lastly before going into each technique in detail, the book covers some basic concepts of techniques, such as Tai-sabaki (Body Control) and Hen-nou (Adaptability). It can be surmised that throwing techniques have at least three phases

Kuzushi, Balance Breaking
Tsukuri, Positioning
Kake, Execution

[edit] Book references

Kojiki
Nihonshoki
Judo Higakusho,"Secret Records of Judo".
Honcho-Bugei-Shoden, "A Brief History of Japanese Martial Arts" by Hinatsu Shigetaka, Shotoku, Shotoku period 1711-15
Kogusoku: taijutsu, taido, jujutsu, wajutsu, gujutsu
Takenouchi Hisamori ( 1532-54) founded Takenouchi Ryu
Araki Muninsai, capturing and binding techniques
Fujiwara Katsumi 1573-91
Bugei-Ryusoroku, "Record of the Founders of Martial Arts Schools"
Dobogoen
Nomura Gen-I of Shinmachi
Hitotsubashi Jokensai
Miyamoto Musashi
Yawaraki Ichiryu
Shin-shin Ryu Yawara, "New-mind Yawara" by Sekiguchi Jushi, 1632
Shibukawa Bagoro Yoshikata, master of Shibukawa Jujutsu, senior student of Sekiguchi master Hachiro Zaemon.
Chin-Gen-Pin (-1670), Chinese martial arts master, immigrant to Japan
Samurais Fukuno Shichiroemon, Isogai Jirozaemon, and Miura Yojiemon
Ryoi-shito Ryu, aka Fukuno Ryu
Miura Yojiemon, founder of Myura Ryu
Terada Masashige, founder of Kito Ryu
Yoshimura Hyosuke, senior student of Terada Masashige
Horiuchi Jidaku, senior student of Yoshimura Hyosuke
Terada Ichiemon of Kyoto
Takino Yugyo of Edo
Types of jujutsu: taijutsu, yawara, judo, kogusoku, torite, kempo, shirauchi, shuhaku, ...
Other schools: Yoshin, Kyushin, Iga, Teiho-zan, Muso, Jiki-shin, Seigo, Kanshin, Isei Jitoku Tenshin, Tenshin Shinyo, Shin-shinto
Fukuda Hachinosuke, master of Tenhin Shinyo school, teaches Jigoro Kano
Iso Masatomo (-1882)
Tsunetoshi Ikubo, master of Kito Ryu, teaches Jigoro Kano
Jigoro Kano starts teaching jujutsu after graduating from Tokyo University (1882) at the age of twenty-three, stablishing the Kodokan, "House of the Ancient Ways". [2]