The Canon of Judo

infobox Book |
name = The Canon of Judo
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author = Kyuzo Mifune
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language = English
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genre = Martial Arts
publisher = Kodansha International; Revised Edition (June 15, 2004)
release_date = 1960, 2004
media_type = Print (Hardcover)
pages = 224 (Revised Edition)
isbn = ISBN 4-7700-2979-9 (revised edition, hardcover)
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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.

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 developmentof 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, [http://www.judoinfo.com/katamenu.htm]
# 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

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-ryu, 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". [http://home.nc.rr.com/brotman/kodokan/]

References

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