What is Judo?

If you’ve been considering martial arts training but feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available, you’re not alone. Walk into any martial arts school and you’ll encounter a bewildering array of disciplines: Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, Aikido, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), general self-defense classes, and more.

Each has its own philosophy, techniques, and benefits. Today, we’ll answer exactly what IS Judo – also known as “the gentle way” – and help you understand how it compares to your other options for martial arts training.

What is Judo?

Judo is a Japanese martial art that was developed in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. The word “Judo” literally translates to “gentle way” or “soft way,” which might seem contradictory when you watch judokas (Judo practitioners) throwing each other through the air. However, the “gentle” refers to the art’s core principle: using an opponent’s force and momentum against them rather than meeting force with force.

At its heart, Judo is primarily a grappling art focused on throws, pins, joint locks, and chokes. While modern competitive Judo emphasizes these grappling techniques, traditional Judo also includes striking techniques called atemi-waza. These strikes—punches, kicks, and other attacks—are typically taught at higher levels and used primarily for self-defense applications and kata (formal exercises) rather than in sport competition.

Judo practitioners use leverage, timing, and technique to unbalance and throw their opponents to the ground. Once there, they can control, pin, or submit their opponent using various ground techniques. The striking elements provide additional options for creating openings, setting up throws, or defending against attacks.

What is Judo Philosophy?

When asking what is Judo, it’s important to know that Judo isn’t just about physical techniques – it’s built on two fundamental principles that guide both training and life:

Seiryoku-Zenyo (Maximum Efficiency, Minimum Effort): This principle teaches that the most effective way to overcome an opponent is through skillful technique rather than brute strength. A smaller, weaker person can defeat a larger, stronger opponent by using proper timing, leverage, and technique.

Jita-Kyoei (Mutual Welfare and Benefit): This principle emphasizes that training should benefit both you and your training partners. Judo practitioners help each other improve, creating a supportive learning environment where everyone grows together.

These philosophies make Judo unique among martial arts, promoting not just physical development but also mental discipline, respect, and personal growth.

What is Judo, What Makes it Different?

There are many reasons you might want to choose to learn Judo. This decision becomes clearer when you see how Judo compares to other popular martial arts:

Judo vs. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ): While both are grappling arts, Judo is a more complete system that emphasizes throwing techniques and standing grappling, as well as ground work, pins, joint locks, and submissions. BJJ, which actually evolved from Judo, focuses primarily on ground fighting, submissions, and positional control once the fight goes to the floor. Unlike BJJ, traditional Judo also includes striking techniques, though these aren’t used in sport competition.

Judo vs. Traditional Jiu-Jitsu: Traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu is the parent art of Judo and includes a very broad range of techniques including extensive striking, weapons, and joint locks. Judo refined and systematized specific aspects of Jiu-Jitsu – primarily the throwing and grappling techniques – while maintaining some striking elements (atemi-waza) but removing many of the less practical techniques and weapon training.

Judo vs. Striking Arts (Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, etc): While these arts focus primarily on punches, kicks, and strikes, Judo’s main emphasis is on grappling with striking as a secondary component. Modern competitive Judo doesn’t use strikes, but traditional Judo training does include atemi-waza. Karate and Taekwondo also incorporate forms (kata/poomsae), while styles like Kickboxing are more focused on practical fighting techniques and fitness.

Judo vs. Aikido: Both arts evolved from traditional Jiu-Jitsu, however, Aikido’s core philosophy is based on non-aggression, aiming to neutralize conflict without causing injury to either the attacker or the defender. Because of this, Aikido techniques don’t typically work well in combat sports like MMA, and only works in self-defense situations when you’re facing an untrained and unskilled attacker. Aikido training involves joint locks, throws, and some weapons training, but typically doesn’t include competitive sparring (randori).

Judo vs. MMA: Mixed Martial Arts combines techniques from multiple disciplines including striking, wrestling, and submissions. Judo’s combination of throws, ground control, and striking knowledge are invaluable to becoming a well-rounded MMA fighter. Many of the most successful MMA fighters have Judo backgrounds, such as Fedor Emelianenko, and in fact, two of the most dominant MMA fighters were Olympic medal winners in Judo – Rhonda Rousey and Kayla Harrison.

Judo vs. Self-Defense Classes: General self-defense classes often teach practical techniques from various arts for real-world situations, and aren’t so much focused on winning a fight as they are escaping a dangerous situation. In self-defense classes, you’ll learn situational awareness and how to identify and avoid potentially dangerous situations, as well as how to escape typical scenarios where you’re being chased, grabbed, or hit.

Judo, on the other hand, is focused on defeating an attacker rather than simply escaping an attacker. It’s comprehensive approach – including throws, ground techniques, and striking – makes it highly effective for self-defense, but it’s also a complete martial art system with deep traditions, ranking systems, and competitive aspects that go beyond simple self-protection.

What is Judo Training Like?

A typical Judo class begins with a warm-up and stretching, followed by practice of fundamental movements like breakfalls (ukemi). Learning to fall safely without injury is crucial in Judo.

Students then practice throwing techniques (nage-waza), starting with basic movements and progressing to more complex throws.

Ground techniques (ne-waza) including pins and escapes. For junior level Judoka, the focus is primarily on these grappling techniques. For older Judoka (13 years and older), joint locks and submissions are also taught.

As students advance, they may be introduced to striking techniques (atemi-waza) and learn how strikes can be used to set up throws and create opportunities for joint locks and submissions.

Classes often conclude with randori (free practice or sparring), where students apply grappling techniques against resisting opponents in a controlled environment. This is very important for real-world effectiveness. It’s one thing to learn a throw or submission against a cooperating training partner, but being able to apply it to an opponent that is resisting is much more difficult and must be practiced in order to be able to be effective in a real-world self-defense situation.

The training environment in Judo is typically very structured and respectful. Students bow when entering and leaving the mat, to their instructors, and to their training partners. This etiquette reinforces the mutual respect that’s central to Judo philosophy.

Benefits of Training Judo

Physical Benefits: Judo provides excellent cardiovascular exercise, builds functional strength, improves flexibility and coordination, and teaches valuable falling skills that can prevent injury in daily life. The combination of grappling and striking knowledge develops well-rounded physical capabilities.

Mental Benefits: Training develops problem-solving skills, mental toughness, confidence, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. The philosophical aspects promote personal growth and self-reflection.

Practical Applications: Judo’s combination of throwing, grappling, and striking techniques makes it highly effective for real-world self-defense situations. The emphasis on using an attacker’s force against them is particularly valuable when dealing with larger or stronger opponents.

Olympic Sport: Judo is an Olympic sport, providing opportunities for competition at all levels from local tournaments to international competition, though competitive Judo focuses solely on the grappling aspects.

Is Judo Right for You?

Judo might be ideal if you’re interested in a martial art that emphasizes technique over strength, increases your level of physical conditioning and fitness, values tradition and philosophy, and improves your mental resilience. Its comprehensive approach—combining throws, ground techniques, and striking—offers a well-rounded martial arts education. It’s suitable for people of all ages and body types—the principle of using leverage and technique means that smaller practitioners can be highly effective.

However, Judo does involve physical contact and falling, so it requires a certain comfort level with close-contact training. The learning curve can also be steep initially, as the techniques require precise timing and coordination. Those interested primarily in striking arts might find Judo’s emphasis on grappling less appealing.

Making Your Choice

Choosing a martial art is a personal decision that depends on your goals, interests, and physical capabilities. If you are visiting local dojos, be sure to talk to instructors about their approach and philosophy. Ask specifically about whether they teach traditional Judo, or focus primarily on the sport/competitive aspects. Here at Kodokan Judo & Jiu Jitsu of Cape Coral, we offer trial classes so you can experience the art firsthand before committing.

Remember, the “best” martial art is the one you’ll stick with long-term. Whether you choose Judo or another discipline, consistency in training is key to gaining the physical, mental, and practical benefits that martial arts offer.