What's new Kodokan

Kodokan holds Second Kata Course in Europe

2012-03-12T09:44:25Z

The annual Kodokan Kata Course in Europe took place for the second time in Lignano, Italy, from March 6th to 11th. Kodokan coordinated with the European Judo Union to organize this event, inviting a total of 275 participants. While most of them were from Europe, representing 19 different countries, 3 of them came all the way from Colombia. "With a jump from last year in the number of participants, Kata is becoming increasingly popular in Europe," an organizer said.
In the program, students learn Kata on the first day, and demonstrate on the second day. There are three sets of the routine in order to provide instructions for all Kata of Kodokan Judo.
This particular seminar is quickly gaining its presence on Kodokan's calendar, just like the Kodokan Summer Course I, which is held every July for Kata instructions.
At the end of the course, students who achieved a certain degree of perfection were awarded a diploma of three levels: Jukutatsu, Seijuku and Shutoku.

< Delegation Members >
Haruki UEMURA, President of Kodokan and the All Japan Judo Federation
Head of Delegation: Saburo Matsushita, 9th Dan
Deputy Head of Delegation: Tadashi Sato, 8th Dan
Members: Yoshiaki SO, 8th Dan
Shinro FUJITA, 8th dan
Naoki MURATA, 7th dan
Motonari SAMESHIMA, 7th dan
Yoshihisa DOBA, 7th dan
Mikihiro MUKAI, 7th dan
Kenichi SHOSHIDA, 7th dan
Secretary: Hirofumi OTSUJI, 6th dan

Accompanying President Uemura: Kiyoshi Murakami, General Secretary of the All Japan Judo Federation

Kodokan Kata Delegation

Kodokan and the EJU banners

The entrance for Village of Ge Tur

Venue within the village

Opening Ceremony (Courtesy of the EJU)

Nage no Kata (Courtesy of the EJU)

Mr. Sergey Soloveychik, EJU President, practicing Nage no Kata (Courtesy of the EJU)

Nage no Kata (Courtesy of the EJU)
　

Ju no Kata (Courtesy of the EJU)

Receiving a Jukutatsu diploma from President Uemura

The delegation and Students who passed Nage no Kata and Ju no Kata

Katame no Kata (Courtesy of the EJU)

Katame no Kata

Katame no Kata demonstration by a Turkish Judoka, who attended the course for the first time

Judges for Katame no Kata demonstration

Reviewing Katame no Kata demonstration (Courtesy of the EJU)

Kime no Kata (Courtesy of the EJU)

Kime no Kata demonstration

Kime no Kata demonstration (Courtesy of the EJU)

Matsushita, Head of Delegation, awarding Seijuku diploma (Courtesy of the EJU)

Delegation members and students who passed Katame no Kata demonstration (Courtesy of the EJU)U

Kodokan Goshinjutsu

Reviewing Kodokan Goshinjutsu after the demonstration

EJU Kata Committee members and Kodokan instructors

Koshiki no Kata (Courtesy of the EJU)

Koshiki no Kata

Itsutsu no Kata (Courtesy of the EJU)

IT team from the EJU and Kodokan

The delegation and students of Kodokan Goshinjutsu, Itsutsu no Kata and Koshiki no Kata

Orientation Program for the United States Forces in Japan

2012-02-17T07:17:33Z

Twenty officers of the U.S. Military in Japan visited Kodokan and got introduced to Judo.
It is part of a program organized by the Japanese Foreign Ministry, which comes with an aim to deepen the knowledge and understanding of Japan.
During their visit they tried out some Judo techniques and also attended a lecture about the martial arts.

Nage-waza presentation

Katame-waza presentation

Demonstration by junior high school students

Judo trial session

Lecture about Judo

Say cheese!

Kangeiko (Mid-winter training) saw around 200 perfect attendances

2012-01-16T05:16:44Z

About 200 Judoka achieved perfect attendance at Kodokan's annual Kangeiko, or Mid-winter Training, which took place from January 6 to 15 this year. It was held from 5:30 to 7:30 every day, and a total of 330 people showed up at the main Dojo and trained while it's still dark and cold.

President Uemura greeting at the opening ceremony

President Uemura giving instructions on techniques

Ichiro Abe, Kodokan 10th Dan

Roll-call

Training while it's still dark outside

Saburo Matsushita, Kodokan 9th Dan, awarding perfect attendances at the closing ceremony

Group photo on the last day

Kagami Biraki Ceremony (Opening Kagami-mochi)

2012-01-08T05:15:06Z

Kagami-Biraki Ceremony is one of traditional festivity at Kodokan, where a special rice cake (Kagami-mochi) is cut open and served to celebrate the new year. The event took place on January 8 this year, inviting many people. Participants listened to a representative Judoka and the president of Kodokan, both of whom made a speech, and watched Kata demonstrations as well as Randori. Newly promoted Dan holders were awarded their diploma, and people enjoyed Shiruko (sweet red azuki bean soup with mochi).

A beautiful day for Kagami Biraki Ceremony

Kagami-mochi displayed at the Dojo entrance

Kosuke Takanashi, Kodokan 8th Dan, making a speech, representing Kodokan members

Kodokan President Haruki Uemura's greeting

Nage-no-Kata

Katame-no-Kata

Kime-no-Kata

Ju-no-Kata

Kodokan Goshinjutsu

Itsutsu-no-Kata

Koshiki-no-Kata

Boys and girls Randori

Women's Randori

Men's Randori

Awarding Dan Promotion

Shiruko Party

Gashi Kokankai (New Year's Greeting Exchange)

2012-01-04T05:13:59Z

Kodokan organized Gashi Kokankai, an annual event to celebrate the beginning of year, on January 4th, 2012.

Michio Fukushima, Kodokan 8th Dan, giving a new year's speech

President Uemura's greeting of the new year

Cheers to the new year! Shiro Yamamoto, Kodokan 8th Dan, giving a toast.

Shigeya Matsumura, Kodokan 8th Dan, giving three cheers of Banzai for success and prosperity of Kodokan Judo in the year 2012

Kano Shihan's Outerwear displayed at the Bunkyo Muse Festa 2011

2011-12-14T07:12:39Z

The Kodokan Judo Library and Museum presented the Inverness coat, which was worn by Kano Jigoro Shihan, at the "Bunkyo Muse Festa 2011," an exhibition organised by Bunkyo-ku on Wednesday, December 14. About 630 people came to see the exhibition.

It is said that Kano Shihan purchased the overcoat in Great Britain. Inverness coat became extremely popular in Meiji era, as it suits Kimono with large sleeves very well. This piece was owned by Kano Shihan's nephew, Saburo Nangou. When his granddaughter was getting married, he handed it over to her. The woolen coat is lined with rabbit fur, and his family name is embroidered on the inside.

Bunkyo Muse Festa 2011 exhibition area

The King and Queen of Bhutan visits Kodokan

2011-11-17T07:11:25Z

The King and Queen of Bhutan visited Kodokan on November 17th, 2011. Children practiced their daily routine, and five gold medalists from the Olympics and the World Championships showcased their techniques before their eyes. President Haruki Uemura also awarded Shodan, tailored Judogi and a black belt to the King, and a table clock with Kodokan's logo to the Queen.

2011 Kodokan Summer Courses

2011-08-10T07:09:51Z

Kodokan Summer Courses, a traditional annual event of Kodokan, took place from July 19 to August 3. Many judoka from not only Japan but also around the world participated in the event. This year, a new course for Japanese instructors of the school curriculum Judo was set up in the summer courses.

2011 Kodokan Summer Course 1 "KATA"
Dates: July 19 to July 25 for 7 days
Participants: 243 judoka

Nage no Kata

Koshiki no Kata

Ju no Kata

2011 Kodokan Summer Course 2 "TECHNIQUE"
Dates: July 26 to July 30 for 5 days
Participants: 238 judoka

Favorite techniques by the invited instructor

2011 Kodokan Summer Course for Women
Dates: July 26 to July 29 for 4 days
Participants: 32 judoka

Instructions of Nage no Kata

2011 Kodokan Summer Course for Boys and Girls
Dates: August 1 to August 3 for 3 days
Participants: 227 kids judoka

Instructions of Katame waza

2011 Kodokan Summer Course for Instructors of the School Curriculum Judo
Dates: August 1 to August 3 for 3 days
Participants: 71 judoka

Teaching method of Nage waza

Shochu-Geiko

2011-08-01T07:08:18Z

Shochu-Geiko (Mid-Summer Training), an important event of Kodokan, took place from July 13 through July 22.

Shochu-Geiko at the Main Dojo

Shochu-Geiko in Boys and Girls Class

Waza instructions by President Uemura

Roll Call

The Kodokan International Judo Seminar

2011-07-07T06:59:54Z

Kodokan has held a half-yearly seminar for younger foreign instructors who will take the lead in Judo instructions in his/her country in the future, with the aim of spreading the proper Kodokan Judo overseas. To date, about 190 coaches from 55 countries and regions have participated in the seminar.

At the same time the pre-training seminar for JICA (the Japan International Cooperation Agency) volunteer cadets for Judo instructors who will be dispatched to developing countries is also held at Kodokan. In this seminar, JICA volunteer cadets can improve their knowledge and skills required for Judo instructors so as to respond to requests from other countries. Both
seminars have produced a synergistic effect until now.

The following pictures are from the seminars in the spring and fall of 2011.

June 6 to June 29, 2011

Practice of refereeing rules

Shime-waza

Training practice

Shot with President Uemura

February 16 to March 11, 2011

Instructions by the special instructor

Kata Demonstration

Gripping

Shot with President Haruki Uemura

Shot with Ferris University students from "Kodokan Japanese Language Teaching Volunteer Program"

Seminars in 2010

Seminars in 2009

The foreign youth visited Kodokan under the International Youth Development Exchange Program 2011

2011-07-06T06:58:36Z

The International Youth Development Exchange Program was launched in 1994 by the Cabinet Office, the Government of Japan. The purpose of this program is to nurture and develop youth who can play a leading role in various fields in a globalized society so that they will contribute the healthy development of youth, through exchanges among overseas and Japanese youth. This program not only invites overseas youth to Japan but also send Japanese youth across the world.

As part of activities in Japan, the invited youth visit Kodokan to listen to the lecture about Judo and have a Judo experience. This is the 6th time they have visited Kodokan.

Date:	Wednesday July 6, 2011
Location:	Kodokan
The number of participants:	18 overseas youth (6 men, 12 women) and 6 Japanese staff
Country:	Dominican Republic, Republic of Estonia, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Lecture about the history of Judo

Demonstration of waza

Overseas participants experience Judo

Demonstration by overseas participants

Photo of participants

Bozen-sai of Kano Shihan

2011-05-02T10:56:39Z

Bozen-sai: visiting the grave of Kano Shihan to commemorate the anniversary of Kano Shihan's death (May 4), a traditional event of Kodokan, was held Monday on May 2.

Participants in the ceremony

Honorary President Kano and President Uemura praying in front of the grave

>>> Access to the grave of Kano Shihan

Kodokan Kata Course in Europe

2011-03-07T06:46:29Z

Head of Delegation:	Saburo MATSUSHITA Kodokan 9th dan (Kodokan)
Deputy Head of Delegation:	Tadashi SATO Kodokan 8th dan (Kodokan) Michio FUKUSHIMA Kodokan 8th dan (Kodokan)
Members:	Shinro FUJITA Kodokan 8th dan (Kodokan) Koji KOMATA Kodokan 8th dan (Tsukuba University) Naoki MURATA Kodokan 7th dan (Kodokan) Motonari SAMESHIMA Kodokan 7th dan (Tsukuba University Senior High School) Yoshihisa DOBA Kodokan 7th dan (Metropolitan Police Department) Mikihiro MUKAI Kodokan 6th dan (Kodokan) Kenichi SHOSHIDA Kodokan 6th dan (Kodokan)
Interpreter:	Yoshihiko IURA Kodokan 7th dan (Embassy of Japan in Iceland)
Secretary:	Hirohumi OTSUJI Kodokan 5th dan (Kodokan)

The overseas Kodokan Kata course took place in Europe for the first time ever. The project started off when Kodokan President Haruki Uemura engaged in conversation with Mr. Sergey Soloveychik, the president of the European Judo Union, about an idea of holding such an event in Europe. Mr. Solveychick was attending the Kodokan summer courses in 2009 and 2010 and wished people in Europe had the same opportunity back home. President Uemura responded to such requests and made this plan a reality. On March 5 during the mission, Croatian President Ivo Josipovic visited the event site.

The opening bow (rei)

Greeting from President
Haruki UEMURA

President UEMURA presented
a portrait of KANO Shihan
(EJU Vice President;
Daniel LASCAU, right)

Instructors

From the left,
Head of Delegation MATSUSHITA,
EJU Vice President Franco CAPELLETTI,
EJU Kata Commissioner Shoji SUGIYAMA

Kata Instruction

Kata Demonstration

Head of Delegation MATSUSHITA giving a diploma

Croatian President Ivo JOSIPOVIC and PresidentUEMURA

Japanese Ambassador to Croatia TAMURA and President UEMURA

Shot with Croatian President

President JOSIPOVIC (center), Croatian Judo Federation President Sanda CORAK (next to the President) and Japanese Ambassador to Croatia Yoshio TAMURA (far right)

Young Judoka from Mongolian Judo Academy visit Kodokan

2011-02-07T06:45:24Z

Daiki Ogura, a JICA (the Japan International Cooperation Agency) volunteer, led Mongolian young judoka to Kodokan for their training camp from Jan. 31 to Feb. 7.

Shot with President Haruki Uemura:
The Mongolian Judo Federation presented a painting to President Uemura (Mr. Ogura is on the left side of President)

Mongolian team participating in the Boys and Girls Class

KODOKAN Referee and Coaching Seminar in HONG KONG

2011-01-22T07:37:21Z

KODOKAN Referee and Coaching Seminar in HONG KONG

Date : Oct. 30th - 31st, 2010
Place : Lei Yue Mun Sports Center
Instructor : Takao KAWAGUCHI Kodokan 8th dan, Takahiro ABE Kodokan 7th dan
Num. of Participants : 58 for Referee Seminar, 150 for Coaching Seminar

Mr. Kawaguchi and Hong Kong judges

Mr. Abe demonstrating Nage-waza