The Background of Kodokan Judo's Thoughts
-From Jujitsu to Judo-
1981 Volume 14 Issue 1 Pages 36-43
Details
1981 Volume 14 Issue 1 Pages 36-43
The development of Judo From Jujitsu has been influenced by some thoughts in the following ways:
(1) The concept of Ju propounded by Leo Tzu and Sanlue represented the “fluidity and adaptalility” characterictic of water. The fluidity and adaptalility concepts have been incorporoted into the “Principle of Ju” (winning by adapting oneself to the opponent's force). Jigoro Kano applied “the principle of Ju” to the service of daily life as well as a technique.
(2) The doctrines of Zhuzi teach the virtues of Bushido, which have become part of the principles of Jujitsu. Such Bushido virtues as courtesy, courage, sincerity and patriotism have been adopted as the principles of moral training in Kodokan Judo.
(3) The Zen doctrine of maintaining an unperturbed mind during a contest had been incorporated in Jujitsu, but Jigoro Kano didn't quote the Zen as he would introduce Judo into education.
(4) When Jigoro Kano was a student at Tokyo University, he learned Western philosophy mostly from Ernest F. Fenollosa.
I will consider how the Westerm philosophy bring the influence of Judo thoughts next time.
