Congratulation to the following students of Shiro-no Zen Judokwai Judo Club in Manchester,
Who have been awarded new Dan Grades by Sensei George Launders 5th Dab BZJFA:-

Philip Martin 2nd Dan BZJFA

Lee Frost 1st Dan BZJFA
&
Daniel Hopkinson 1st Dan BZJFA

It would appear that even Japan is starting to worry about the direction Judo is taking (webmaster).

Japanese Judo: R.I.P.?

by Mark Colby Sensei

This article first appeared in the "SMAA Journal" Volume 13, Issue 2

 Yasuhiro Yamashita Sensei has been bounced from the Board of Directors of the International Judo Federation (IJF), leaving Japan devoid of a voice on the world scene. Days after Yamashita Sensei’s ouster, Japan’s great hopes in the men’s heavyweight divisions were both eliminated from the World Championships on what many here in Japan believe to be questionable judging. While Nippon did retain a considerable cachet through the illustrious Mrs. Tani’s seventh world championship, the year 2007 seems to mark the final straw, breaking the country of origin’s last remnant of moral (or political) authority over judo’s future trajectory.

 

Although largely unnoticed by the rest of the world, Japan’s judo leaders and even the general public stand aghast at recent events. From boardrooms to bar rooms, the banter is the same; the fundamental tenets of judo have morphed so far from its origins, it no longer represents Japan or its culture.

 

A prominent Japanese attorney and judo godan is heart attack serious when he says the Kodokan should sue the IJF, forcing them to stop using the name “judo” to describe the current iteration of the sport. “The current world leaders are ignoring the foundation of what judo is, turning it into something it was never intended to be. It’s all about money grubbing and power politics,” he states with puckered lip and furrowed brow. The streets of Tokyo are humming with rumors that Japanese television will stop broadcasting IJF events, hitting them where it hurts: in the wallet.

 

Those in North America and Europe look at these kinds of confounding statements and wonder what all the fuss is about. Thanks to the globalization of judo, it is practiced in nearly 200 countries and by millions of people. The international leadership has succeeded in recasting judo, allowing it to resonate to nearly all cultures. It has also brought the business savvy necessary for ongoing financing and promotion. Some feel Japan should be overjoyed that its national sport has achieved such success and is not relegated to the fringes like certain martial arts.

 

While it is not this author’s place to pass judgment on such poignant matters, as someone who lives in Japan (with grounding in the West), allow me to attempt to shed some light on Japanese judoka’s thinking. I do this with the caveat that this line of reasoning is exceedingly difficult to articulate, even between die-hard Japanese budoka.

 

First and foremost, there is a profound sadness in Japan relating to what is seen as ignoring judo’s spiritual roots. The two Chinese characters “ju” and “do” have deep meaning resonating into how people should lead their lives and interact with society. (The word judo means the “gentle way” or the “way of pliability.”)

 

This is supported by thousands of years of Shinto philosophy based on simplicity, humility, and honor. Spiritually, the current manifestation of judo appears relegated to garden variety sportsmanship. “Ju-do” cannot be compared to “box-ing” or “base-ball.”

 

To Japanese sensibilities, this spiritual failure has morphed much of modern judo in ways that will ultimately damage the sport’s appeal. Defensive posturing may be an effective sports strategy, but it is cowardly. Traditional ideology would argue that it would be better to lose with honor. Grip fighting, now the hallmark of competitive judo, is seen as the sport’s bane, creating a jerky cat-fight out of what was designed to be a highly fluid test of wills. Playing out the clock and winning on points contradicts the very essence of judo, which in the beginning had only a single point in each bout for a reason: your opponent can only die once. Winning by a quarter point can’t count for anything but failure to have achieved victory. Ignoring these premises, the Japanese claim, has made judo less interesting to do and tedious to watch.

 

Given these issues, it is fair to ask what would happen if everyone magically started practicing the kind of judo Japan seems to be yearning for—where all out competition is modulated by what Westerners might call a kind of “chivalry.” The next question, which will no doubt cause considerable pause among traditionalists, could this still be called a sport?

 

If you haven’t hardwired your views on these lofty issues, it may be helpful to remember what attracted you to judo (or other budo) over other sporting pursuits. How much of your decision was based on an attempt to find what the Japanese feel they are now loosing? Most importantly for the future of judo, if the IJF is successful at casting off what they see as unwanted cultural baggage, how will this affect the choices of coming generations?

About the Author: Colby Sensei teaches and practices traditional Kodokan judo in the USA and Japan. He has practiced at the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo for over 20 years.

Congratulations to the following students who have gained promotion at the ZJF Gradings held at Petersfield Dojo on 9th May 2010.

Front row - Some of the successful students and Back row Grading Panel

Dave Bennington being awarded his 2nd Dan by Shihan Phil Watts 6th Dan

Alex Barnes has been awarded his 1st Dan ZJF Black Belt

New Grades Awarded:-

David Bennington - 2nd Dan Black Belt (Bognor  Regis / Portsmouth)

Alex Barnes - 1st Dan Black Belt (Bognor Regis)

Helen Richards - Brown Belt (Petersfield)

Hannah Barnes - Blue Belt (Bognor Regis)

Amy Taylor - Green Belt (Bognor Regis)

Harry Snelgrove - Green Belt (Petersfield)

CAMPAIGN UPDATE

From John Goldman

Campaign leader

Recently a meeting was held between Sport England and the BJA chief executive Scott McCarthy headed, ‘’Judo UKCC and concerns raised by Mr Goldman’.

Questions put to the BJA were composed by Sport England without prior consultation with myself.

The questions were selective, did not address the fundamental issues the Campaign raises, and for some reason included “key messages” and “recommendations” regarding myself, my clubs and my association.

Among questions Sport England put to the BJA were:

“How many disciplines of Judo are not covered by the BJA UKCC?”

Reply:

• “The BJA does not feel that there is more than one form of Judo. However, intrinsically peoples motivations for participation fall into 2 main areas. The first being sporting motivations (i.e. Olympic Success) and the other for personal/spiritual development”

• “As there is only one form of Judo this is covered by the UKCC”

In reply to a question, “What is the requirement of the BJA to become an affiliated member association?"

• “There is not currently a route or plans to add to the 2 current affiliated association”

And in answer to,” What disadvantages arte there to not being affiliated to BJA”

• “The BJA stated this is largely associated with the quality control of the sport which includes appropriately insured clubs, coaches and individuals, a nationally recognised competitive structure and player pathway and other associated member benefits which are published on the BJA website”

Another question Sport England asked was, “What are the requirements of the BJA to allow non-affiliated members to deliver UKCC courses?”

• “There is currently not a route for any other organisation to deliver Judo UKCC courses”

Sport England have asked me to include their website address, where full minutes of this meeting can be read, as, http://www.sportengland.org/about_us/how_we_are_structured/our_main_board/main_board_minutes.aspx

 Good wishes,

John Goldman

Campaign leader

UKCC
CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Reply to Sport England CEO

Jennie Price
Chief Executive
Sport England

April 22 2010

 
Thank you for your letter of April 22 2010.
 
I do not consider your response satisfactory. I do not consider you have made every effort to investigate and address the issues I have raised.
How could you have investigated the issues properly? You have not made any contact with me!
Furthermore you have been selective in dealing with the matters I raise. Many remain unanswered.

Regarding those matters you have responded to, you do so based on “explanations” by Sport England and/or BJA officers.
Did you not consider that your investigation should/must include hearing our “explanations”?

To sum up your letter:

Sport England gives full approval to the BJA’s competence testing of non-BJA judo practitioners who wish to access the UKCC. Non-BJA judo people say this is discriminatory.

Sport England give full approval as to the BJA charging £200 to competence test a non-BJA judo practitioner wishing to access the UKCC despite the Coaching Standards Group saying this amount was “unreasonably high”.

Since Sport England continues to make no comment as to their giving tacit approval to the public offensive name calling of non-BJA people by the BJA, we can only assume that Sport England gives their approval to the way the BJA behaves.

What you do say on this matter is, you are “keen to see a resolution of the differences between yourself (the Campaign) and the BJA on this issue” and “I would like to offer to facilitate a meeting between yourself and the BJA”.

While you offer to facilitate a meeting as to the issue of the BJA’s name calling, you don’t give a moments thought to considering it of value to discuss with me the issues I raise regarding the UKCC.

There is simply no need for a meeting. There are two simple ways of dealing with this matter:

Sport England  disassociate themselves from the way the BJA behaves and take action or The BJA  retracts the offensive remarks made and offer an unreserved apology to the Campaign and those outside of the BJA.

The tens of thousands (an estimated 120 – 150,000) non-BJA judo practitioners, concerned about their future, need to know what is going on.

As things stand I can only copy your letter and this reply for them to view.


Yours sincerely,

John Goldman

Campaign leader

Yours truly (webmaster), managed to make the trip up to Northampton from the sunny South Coast for the Kenshindoryu Summer Course, unfortunately I could only attend the Saturday session. As is usual with Jim's courses the weather was blistering, with possibly the hottest day of the year and nice high pollen counts (great for us hey fever sufferers).

The Saturday session covered a number of Martial Arts, starting with Wadokai Karate with BWKS Chief Instructor Shinohara Y Shihan 8th Dan Wadokai. This was followed by sessions by Shinkendo with UK Shibucho Byon Shepherd Shodan Renshi and his Instructors (as a novice I got to practice in the Church yard very hot). The rest of the afternoon covered Jujitsu Kempo with Kenshindoryu Chief Instructor Jim Dart 5th Dan and another Instructor (sorry can't remember your name) covering writs and arm locks and restraints.

The day was closed by Sensei Stuart Edwards who is a former BIKMA middleweight Jujitsu champion covering some newaza (groundwork) techniques.

The day was finished with a very relaxed and pleasant evening at Sensei Darts house for a barbecue and drinks. The trip bought back some very fond memories of previous Kenshindoryu Martial Arts courses at Pool in Dorset in the past and it was great to get the chance to catch up with some of the Instructors and students.

Saturday 26th June 2010 - Shihan Shinohara Y 8th Dan Wadokai Karate (sitting)

Sunday 27th June - Kenshindoryu Summer Course 2010

Sunday 27th June - Kenshindoryu Summer Course 2010

Note: I have reproduced this for information (webmaster)

July registration halted as VBS is remodelled

 The Home Secretary, Theresa May, has today (15th June 2010) issued a statement to the House of Commons which confirms the stated intention of the coalition Government to review the Vetting & Barring and criminal records regimes to ensure that they are scaled back to common sense levels.

The Written Ministerial Statement reads:

Tuesday, 15 June 2010
HOME OFFICE
Vetting and Barring Scheme

Secretary of State for the Home Department (Theresa May): I am announcing today that the commencement of voluntary registration with the new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which was due to begin on 26 July, will be brought to a halt as of today.

The Government has made clear its intention to bring the criminal records and Vetting and Barring regimes back to common sense levels. Until this remodelling has taken place, we have decided to maintain those aspects of the new Scheme which are already in place, but not to introduce further elements.

The safety of children and vulnerable adults is of paramount importance to the new government. We will therefore maintain the current arrangements under which the Independent Safeguarding Authority is able to bar from "regulated activities" those considered unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults, and appropriate cases must be referred to them. Criminal records checks will also remain available for those eligible to receive them, and will continue to be required for certain posts where regulations are already in place.

However it is vital that we take a measured approach in these matters. Vulnerable groups must be properly protected in a way that is proportionate and sensible. The remodelling of the VBS will ensure this happens.

The terms of reference for the remodelling of the VBS and of the criminal records regime are currently being considered and a further announcement will be made in due course.

Click on THIS LINK to go to a 15min video of British Zen Judo Dan Grades at Play

on video.google.com (opens in a new window).