Judo is a modern Japanese martial art. In the course of martial arts, no weapons are used, only their own bodies. Created this type of martial art by Jigoro Kano at the end of the 19th century, he also introduced color belts in judo for the first time.
The foundation date for judo is considered the opening day of the first Kodokan school in 1882 in the Aijouji Temple.
The essence of judo, its difference from other types of martial arts
The main difference between judo and boxing, karate and other martial arts is that the basic techniques are not based on strikes, but on throws, painful techniques, deductions and strangulation. In judo, not physical strength is valued, but a variety of technically performed actions. In this type of martial arts, an important role is played by the understanding of the philosophical component of combat:
- The best result is achieved not by the power of the blow, but by the power of thought. In battle, you must first think, observe the enemy, analyze his tactics.
- In order for the body and spirit to be used in the best way, they need to be constantly trained. Judo classes require clear discipline, perseverance, and self-control.
- Compassion and mutual help are above hard blow.
Kano - the father of judo excellence categories
The systematics of obtaining a belt in judo was introduced by Jigoro Kano. Before him there was no clear gradation. Each school, even in one combat direction, had a different gradation, and outsiders had no idea who the student was and who the master was.
It was Kano who first guessed to introduce a system of differences using a belt in judo.
How belts got their colors: legend
In order to distinguish the steps in achieving and improving judo, belts of different colors are used.
How the color for each belt was determined is not reliably known. However, allegedly there are sources that indicate that the founder of judo Kano believed that if a judoka reached the highest level, then this person became higher, which means that he returns to white, outlining the circle of his life.
But there are other theories about what this or that color of a belt means and where it comes from. The most beautiful is the theory of a beginner who first put on a white belt and began to engage both physically and spiritually. He worked for so long that his belt turned yellow with sweat. And the skill level has increased significantly.
Then the athlete began to engage in nature, and the belt from friction with greenery and nature turned green. The level of his skill has risen another step.
Then the athlete switched to sparring with partners. During serious fights, drops of blood fell on the belt, and it turns red (or brown).
Over the years, the belt darkened until it turned black, and the level of skill reached the extreme points of perfection.
After years of grueling training, wisdom came to the athlete. He realized that the main thing was not physical strength, but spirituality. The belt turned white again. This meant that the judoka reached the finish stage and was reborn spiritually. A full circle of development has passed, and the master, having moved to a new level of improvement, has again become a novice.
Belt for a judoka - as a weapon for a samurai
For the judoka, the “obi” (belt) is not just a tie for a kimono (suit for classes), but something much more. Athletes treat him very carefully and respectfully, as a great value, even as a family member. The belt is stored separately from other things in a place of honor. And losing a belt means disgracing yourself for life. This is the same as losing a weapon for a samurai.
Judo Mastery Distinction - Belt Color
The color of the belt shows the degree of readiness of its owner, the level of training. All beginners are given a white belt, since the Japanese believe that white is a phenomenon of something pure and holy. A beginner wears a white belt until he passes the exams for the right to wear a belt of a rank higher.
For example, in order to get a yellow judo belt, you must be able to:
- perform the technique of throws: lateral sweep on the exposed leg, knee on the left leg, do sweep in front of the exposed leg, grabs, throws twisting around the hips, hook from the inside with the shin;
- carry out the technique of fettering movements correctly: holding from the side, holding with a shoulder grip with your head, holding across, from the side of the head and on top;
- correctly perform the throwing technique: the back footboard, work out the exemptions from grabs and back footboards, counter-techniques from the hooks from the inside with the shin, throws with grabbing the sleeves and the goal.
Getting the next judo belt involves learning new combat skills and techniques.
Winners of black belts are often considered the strongest in judo, but this is not always true. Of course, a black judo belt is given only to those who have reached a high level in judo technique, show self-control and are ready for continuous improvement. However, the masters believe that the fact that this belt gives judoists the opportunity to study judo more deeply and in detail is more important than technology and strength.
It is not allowed to wear a belt of inappropriate rank. This means expressing disrespect for other judokas and judo traditions.
How to tie a judo belt correctly
Correctly tying the belt is very important. It is believed that this way you will focus the maximum amount of energy, which is very important for a successful battle.
How to tie a belt correctly? There are two ways. The athlete chooses how to tie a judo belt. The only condition for any of the methods is that the nodule is flat and its ends are the same length, about twenty centimeters. This symbolizes the strength of the spirit of the judoka and reflects its harmony.
Judo Belt Categories
Now let's talk about the differences in judo belts. For the standard we take the Kodokan school in Japan. According to her doctrine, pupils (KJ) and workshops (DAN) are distinguished by rank.
KJ consists of 6 categories. The lowest sixth (6KY) is the first academic level, and the highest first category (1KY) is the last, sixth, educational.
DAN consists of 10 steps. The lowest is 1 DAN, and the highest is 10 DAN.
Judo student belts in order:
- 6-4 KU - white,
- 3-1 KJ - brown.
Workshop belts consist of:
- 1-5 DAN - black;
- 6-8 DAN - red and white;
- 9-10 DAN - red belt.
It is acceptable for judokas of higher DANs to wear a black belt during training.
Regional differences
The systematics of division by belts often differs in one form of martial arts in different countries. Australian judo, as well as European and Canadian, have in their arsenal ten, not five colors.
Judo belts in order depending on rank:
- from 6 to 1, “KJ” is indicated by a white, yellow, orange, green, blue, and brown belt, respectively;
- black belt - from 1 to 5 DAN;
- athletes from 6 to 8 DAN receive a red and white belt, those who have reached the level of 9-10 DAN wear a red belt.