Abstract
Focusing on the theory of the “principle of ju” that generates movements and techniques reflecting the proverb “softness overcomes hardness: ju yoku go wo seisu”, we discuss the relationship between the movement of modern judo practitioners and its sportization, in order to grasp the current situation of judo in Japan. It was found that there are 3 levels among contemporary Japanese judo practitioners: (1) those who practice judo in the context of a competitive sport while being aware of the tradition, (2) those who practice judo purely as a competitive sport, and (3) those who practice the traditional skills of a martial art. It is widely recognized that those at level (1) tend to neglect, whereas those at level (3) tend to emphasize the arts of judo. Also, older judo practitioners tend to emphasize the proverb “softness overcomes hardness”, but this is unrelated to the length of time spent training and the dan level of the practitioner. Many present day judo practitioners regard judo as a competitive sport, suggesting that – in terms of movement – Japan’s judo tradition being lost. On the other hand, however, it has also become clear that those who love judo and practice it with an attitude not obsessed with victory or defeat or of improving their skills, attach great importance to “softness overcomes hardness”. In order for judo to continue to remain a “physical exercise culture proclaiming the place of traditional Japan in a global world”, it can be suggested that the challenge lies in the rebuilding of the interaction with judo as a martial art that aims for “development of skills” with a loving attitude that differs from competition, while ensuring that some aspects remain competitive.
