New Year’s Message from President Haruki Uemura

New Year’s Message from President Haruki Uemura (for year 2015)
http://www.kodokan.org/e_info/topny201501.html

president Uemura wrote:In parallel, there were request and discussions for the unification and explanation of Judo terms. Terms casually used such as Uchi-komi, Kakari-renshu, Yakusoku-renshu, Nage-komi, Sute-geiko, Renraku-waza, Henka-waza, Tachi-waza, Ne-waza, Suri-ashi, Ayumi-ashi, and Tsugi-ashi can be more or less understood by the kanji meanings but foreigners must understand these terms when these names are written in alphabets. Therefore, it is necessary to explain the meanings of these Judo terms in accurate English.

For the requests up until now, the Waza Research Committee classified them after repeated discussions and responded after translating into English. After this, production of a “Judo Glossary”, that is an enhanced version of the "Kodokan New Japanese-English Dictionary of Judo" that was published in 2000, will be undertaken immediately.

I tried some explanations for judo terms (which Uemura mentioned). if you find some false please can you make corrections nad better explanations. I was not able find or get good explanation for some terms. Than you.

Uchi-Komi (repeated practice of a throwing motion up to the point where the throw would actually be executed (the simulation stops at that point))
 http://www.judo-ch.jp/english/dictionary/terms/utikomi/

Kakari-renshu ( practice of continuous attack  )
 only for Kakarigeiko http://www.judo-ch.jp/english/dictionary/terms/kakarigeiko/

Yakusoku-renshu  ( practice of agreed uppon attacks)
 only for Yakusokugeiko http://www.judo-ch.jp/english/dictionary/terms/yakusoku/

About differrencies between "renshu" and "keiko":

Carl Thompson in aikiweb forum wrote:From my own experience the difference in usage is more a nuance of feeling.
Keiko 稽古 has the feeling of practising a discipline for oneself. Imagine a good dojo with a good teacher and plenty of good students: If you don't turn up for keiko it is mainly you who is missing out. Everyone else just misses one student. If you call this practice renshuu, it's fine but not as nuanced.

Renshuu 練習 has more of a general feeling of practice as well as the feeling of practising for or with others. For example, aikido, practise for a demonstration would be called "renshuu". I've never heard it called keiko in this kind of situation, especially outside of martial arts or other disciplines. The baseball team usually has renshuu, not keiko.

Josh Reyer from aikiweb forum wrote:"renshu" would be "practice", and "keiko" would be "training."

Nage-komi (repetitive throwing practice)

Sute-geiko (freestyle practice) involves training with a partner of higher skill than oneself, and executing Waza with all one's strength from a moving, light-gripped fighting stance, with the partner offering no resistance.
 http://www.judo-ch.jp/english/dictionary/terms/sutegeiko/
 
Renraku-waza (combination of several techniques)
 http://www.judo-ch.jp/english/dictionary/terms/renraku/
 
Henka-waza  (??? modification/variation of basic way of technique - variation of kihon)

Tachi-waza (standing techniques)
 http://www.judo-ch.jp/english/dictionary/terms/tatiwaza/

Ne-waza (ground techniques)
 http://www.judo-ch.jp/english/dictionary/terms/newaza/

Suri-ashi ( footwork - stepping method in order to avoid lifting the leg too far from the floor)
 http://www.judo-ch.jp/english/dictionary/terms/suriasi/

Ayumi-ashi  (footwork - stepping method - walking step)

Tsugi-ashi  (footwork - stepping method - following step)

I'd call tsugi-ashi a shuffle step in which the trailing foot never passes the lead foot, if that makes sense.

interesting part about Gokyo:

In recent years, the officials of the IJF and well experienced foreign Judo coaches have strongly voiced that in order to further improve Judo and understand Judo properly, learning the "Gokyo-no-Waza (Five Doctrines of Techniques)" is vital. For the education of IJF coaches, the "IJF Judo Academy" was opened in cooperation with a university in Budapest. Here, there is a curriculum based on a method for guidance for "Gokyo-no-Waza” and an instructor from Kodokan has been dispatched to for guidance in "Gokyo-no-Waza" and "Kata".

The word "Gokyo (Five Doctrines)" is referred to as the five teachings that should be maintained in Confucianism, and the origin of the word is said to be from Buddha's lifetime doctrines classified into five divisions. Kano Shihan thought that it was necessary to learn not only techniques but also character must be included to properly learn Judo in the development. For this reason he decided that the background and the reasons for the techniques be learned in stages that coincided with the progress of skill level. I understand it to be that the training method for Judo was classified in to stages from group 1 to group 5 in "Gokyo-no-Waza”

The “Gokyo-no-Waza” was established with 42 techniques in 1895 and in 1920 organized into 40 techniques leading to the new “Gokyo-no-Waza”. However, presently it is not much utilized during training in Japan. For this reason, understanding of "Gokyo-no-Waza" and the importance of it may be diminishing. "On-ko-chi-shin (learning lessons from the past)". It is now desirable that "Gokyo-no-Waza" should be researched in depth, verified, and properly understood. If necessary a revision done based on the present situation, the meaning, Riai (the principle of using correct, sufficient motion to perform each technique properly with maximum efficiency), and the method of learning must be properly transmitted.

source:http://kodokanjudoinstitute.org/en/2016/

Foreword
Year Beginning Impressions
Kodokan President Haruki UEMURA


I would like to wish you a Happy New Year, with the coming of 2016.

Last year, a variety of tournaments, competitions and seminars for all age groups from children to high dan holders were held domestically and abroad, and they drew much excitement. Especially, the World Judo Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, attracted global attention as the prelude of Rio De Janeiro Olympics. Most of participants were gripping each other well and showed their offensive and defensive techniques during exciting matches. However, still there were some players who were disregarding Riai (the principle of using correct, sufficient motion to perform each technique properly with maximum efficiency) such as Kuzushi, Tsukuri and Kake. Watching such players who were repeating false attacks, I realized the importance of having players understand the Riai of Judo through player development. During the competition, Japanese players attracted many audiences by their approach always aiming at Ippon and by their attitude keeping calm whether they won or not. Concerning the refereeing, I thought that we should improve common understanding on the definition of Ippon in Nage-waza, and of Osaekomi-waza. In September, the IJF Kata World Championships were held in Amsterdam, Holland. The Japan representatives did well and won the victory of all events after an interval of three years. However, representatives of other countries have developed their skills and are approaching the level of Japan representatives. After the Championships, the IJF organized a Kata training camp for two days inviting Kata experts of the Kodokan as lecturers. Judges, officials and athletes of each country participated in the training camp with enthusiasm, and it raised expectations of further worldwide growth of Kata. Last year was the second year of Kodokan Youth Development Seminars that were conducted by the Kodokan and sponsored by Token Corporation. The seminars are giving opportunities to rethink the importance of the basics of Judo to the participants consist of many children and their instructors and parents. In May, Kodokan Seminar was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil as one of the commemorative projects of the 120th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil. During a five-day program, a total of 700 people gathered and took lessons enthusiastically. The seminar consisted of a lecture on Judo history and philosophy, technical lessons from the basics to the advanced level and lessons on Kata. The seminar was highly appreciated by participants and persons involved, and was completed successfully. We are going to improve the contents of seminars reflecting requests from various people and conduct a large variety of seminars both domestically and overseas. The Kodokan held Kano Shihan's birthday events for four days from October 28. The events consisted of the following programs: an Uki-goshi lesson; providing Kano Shihan's real voice (taped lecture); showing Judo-related videos; an exhibition of Kano Shihan's last passport; displaying photographs relating to Kano Shihan; a calligraphy session of Kano Shihan's words; and a parent-and-child Judo lesson. These events were appreciated and attracted many visitors. The IJF designated October 28 as World Judo Day and has held various events around the world in memory of Kano Shihan. The Kodokan will continue to hold events commemorating Kano Shihan at this time every year and collaborate with other countries. We will not only celebrate Kano Shihan's birthday, but also grow these events to be effective for the diffusion and promotion of Judo and also contribute to the exchanges of youth.

These days, when I am talking with IJF officials and Judo players from each country, we often hold dialogues about the way of Judo it should be. The way is to respect good manners and always aim at Ippon after gripping each other and applying offensive and defensive techniques. Also we are talking about Kuzushi, Tsukuri, Kake, Tai-sabaki, the basics of techniques and the Judo spirits. With the motto, "Judo is more than sports", we are focusing on the behavior of players and officials during competitions. Furthermore, we are having discussions to lead Judo to the better, making the most of the spirituality of Judo, and will provide supports to disadvantaged regions, build a system of cooperation and contribute to world peace. Also, we are talking on educational aspects of Judo, and the significance of Judo throughout a lifetime. I have heard that competitors will have far longer Judo life after their competitive career, however, leaders are uncertain about the way of their practice and how to motivate them. I think that the above activities and discussions are exactly following in Kano Shihan's footsteps, and it shows that his teaching, "The ultimate goal of Judo is to strive for personal perfection and to benefit the world", is well understood by Judoka around the world. Since ancient times in Japan, they awarded the masters of martial arts such titles as "mokuroku", "menkyo" or "kaiden" evaluating their technical proficiency. However, when Kano Shihan established Kodokan Judo, he stated that this system was inconvenient to motivate trainees because it took very long time for them to get those titles. Afterward, Kano Shihan invented Dan grading system of Kodokan Judo "for convenience to teach" and "in order to encourage trainees' further efforts." Tsunejiro TOMITA, the first student of Kano Shihan and Shiro SAIGO, known to be good at "Yama-arashi" were first awarded Kodokan Shodan (1st Dan) in August 1883. Black belt as a token of Dan holders was adopted around 1887. In the beginning of this system, Dan promotion was announced to successful applicants only by word of mouth or by posting a notice, but according to the annals of Judo, Dan diplomas were awarded for the first time in May 1894. You can read the original text Kano Shihan wrote at that time on the current diplomas. The text is simple but highly suggestive. As the Dan grades are advanced, the goal changes from an expert to a master. It says "in recognition of the great progress by the diligent study of Judo, we (Kodokan) expect him/her to endeavor for further progress in the future" in diplomas of 1st Dan to 3rd Dan, and "in recognition of the great technical adroitness attained by the diligent study of Jud for many years, we (Kodokan) expect him/her to continue the endeavor and to become a leading expert in the future" in diplomas of 4th and 5th Dan. In diplomas of upper 6th Dan, it says "in recognition of the great technical proficiency attained by the diligent study of Judo for many years, we (Kodokan) expect him/her to continue the endeavor and to become and eminent master in the future". We need to reconfirm the meaning of the diploma of each Dan grade, and we have to start over practice, without losing the initial enthusiasm. As for Kyu grading system for boys and girls, we have 6 ranks from 5th Kyu to 1st Kyu and under Kyu in the Kodokan. However, each country, each prefecture, and each dojo has its own rules. As it is now, there are no uniform criteria regarding Kyu. We are conducting necessary study to formulate a clear guideline which specifies detailed requirements for Kyu certification, such as training period and skills. I believe this guideline will motivate boys and girls to practice At the beginning of 2016, the IJF Referee and Coach Seminar will be held at the Kodokan on January 28 through 30. About 250 international referees and national coaches from national Judo federations including nominated referees for Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games will participate in this seminar to improve their refereeing skills and to acquaint themselves with contest rules. Not only that, I would like the participants to understand correctly Riai, the original principle of the techniques in Judo and the meaning to control the opponent in this seminar as well.

With the beginning of the year, I will exert my utmost efforts to promote and diffuse Judo and steadily strive to "maximum-efficiency", for "mutual welfare and benefit" so that I can convey Kodokan Judo properly to later generations.

To our members, your guidance, support, and cooperation is appreciated. Lastly, I wish that this year will also be a good year for you all.

The Kodokan has never before broken down any promotion requirements for 'kyu' ranks, I think. It should be interesting to see what they promulgate