Now I understand the problem - I'm too old

NBK wrote:I was scanning the contents of an early Taisho era (mid-1910's) Jûdô magazine, and spotted a curious article.

In discussing whether a new student, 45 year old (presumably man) could learn judo, the gist of the article was that if in reasonable physical condition then he could learn judo through Jû no Kata, perhaps other kata.  Randori and shiai were for 20- and 30-year olds, it opines.

This would explain the number of judo instruction books I have from the 1920s and 1930s that start with long explanations of JNK, illustrated by a couple of middle-aged men, one balding, one mustachioed.  

I wonder what Kanô shihan would think of today's shiai, with septuagenarians and even older competitors!  

NBK

Richard Riehle wrote:

NBK wrote:I was scanning the contents of an early Taisho era (mid-1910's) Jûdô magazine, and spotted a curious article.

In discussing whether a new student, 45 year old (presumably man) could learn judo, the gist of the article was that if in reasonable physical condition then he could learn judo through Jû no Kata, perhaps other kata.  Randori and shiai were for 20- and 30-year olds, it opines.

This would explain the number of judo instruction books I have from the 1920s and 1930s that start with long explanations of JNK, illustrated by a couple of middle-aged men, one balding, one mustachioed.  

I wonder what Kanô shihan would think of today's shiai, with septuagenarians and even older competitors!  

NBK

Just returned from my annual trip to the Kodokan.   I am 79.5 years old and still doing standard Judo.   While I am slowed down a bit from when I was 70 (my last competition was in 2009), I am still enjoying my time on the tatami, moving around, occasionally executing a waza, sometimes taking a fall.   I expect to be slowing down even more after I turn 80, but hope to still be able to do some standard Judo.

Mr_Michael_or_Mike wrote:I started Judo at 41 and, quit at 47. It was a new club and, I started out with teens. I came to the conclusion that I never became adapt and, relaxed enough at my ukemi. I've heard that adults in Japan often have to practice the full range of ukemi skills before they can do anything else. I think I needed a dedicated ukemi class.

NBK wrote:
The All Japan Judo Federation just changed the 4th dan kata requirement from advanced Katame no Kata to Ju no Kata for everyone - it's kind of funny to watch guys that have never done it trying to figure it out.

Jonesy wrote:

NBK wrote:
The All Japan Judo Federation just changed the 4th dan kata requirement from advanced Katame no Kata to Ju no Kata for everyone - it's kind of funny to watch guys that have never done it trying to figure it out.

Ju-no-kata is fun.  Lots of misconceptions that it is a females' kata.  I attended a great seminar on this last year - an Olympian friend of mine recently promoted to 7th dan was also there.

Are the AJJF dan requirements the same as the Kodokan's?

NBK wrote:In discussing whether a new student, 45 year old (presumably man) could learn judo, the gist of the article was that if in reasonable physical condition then he could learn judo through Jû no Kata, perhaps other kata.  Randori and shiai were for 20- and 30-year olds, it opines.

Kaji wrote:...
Other than Judo I also do a classic, hard form of Taijiquan. We use our bodies to muck around with air pressure and blood pressure. It is not exactly safe for someone whose health condition may place them at risk of bursting a blood vessel in the brain. For those people, they can still practise the stuff where they manipulate only the muscles, bones, tendons, etc., just not the full package.

And with a non-martial discipline, in fact a predominantly mental and spiritual one - Buddhism - in some schools there are differences between what is recommended for daily practice for elderly practitioners than younger ones. Without throwing in too many jargons, an example would be the suggestion that older Buddhists can focus on the practice known as the contemplation and remembrance of a buddha (and long for a pure land), rather than practices such as a progressive path in analytically meditating on the many Buddhist principles (to seek enlightenment immediately).