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JIYURADORI AND THE UNIFICATION OF JIUJITSU DISCIPLINES
BY THE KODOKAN
By Kousuke Nagaki, Assistant Professor,
Hyogo Educational University
Introduction
Under bujitsu, it is basic criterion to question actual fighting
performance capabilities as equal to its ability. The goal of this
article is to clarify the birth of different jiujitsu discipline
and its branching out as well as to clarify the path to unification
of such disciplines under the efforts of the Kodokan and explain
the principle of free competition under the merit system as well
as to further contemplate the reasons and meanings of Jiyuradori
(Randori).
Birth of different jiujitsu disciplines and merit system
The basic forms of jiujitsu disciplines were formed in Sengoku
Era (between 1477 to 1573) and were further modified in the early
stages of the Edo era (between 1600 to 1650). Such form, of disciplines
(ryu), included Sekiguchi-ryu Takeuchi-ryu Youshin-ryu and Kitou-ryu
and were widely utilized by the different clans the Edo era and
were continued to the Meiji era ( around 1868). These disciplines
are considered the main original forms of jiujitsu. Master Jigoro
Kano whom established the Kodokan in 1868, studied Tenshinmayo-ryu
and Kitou-ryu which are a branch form of the Youshin-ryu and from
these two main disciplines he was able to learn the essence or
jiujitsu.
Ryu-ha (form of disciplines and group) is a formal organization
and its main purpose is to access technique. Conditions for existence
of such organizations can be described as: (emergence of genius
like expert or master), (techniques are systematized), (practice
methods between teacher and student are established). Also the
head of such a ryu-ha must obviously be a master in his technique
and ability. Where disciples are to be ranked (ranked and documents
issued) the disciples, ability were considered first. (Other than
ability, other considerations were given to age, blood relation,
obligation, contribution and donations).
The basis for selection under ability has basically ascended from
the prior years or war between the different clans when actual
battle did take place and where actual fighting ability was highly
regarded as the basis of bujitsu. In addition, the originators
of such disciplines as the Sekiguchi-ryu and Takeuchi-ryu as well
as the other oriental discipline groups had always traveled throughout
the country in search of the best talent and through such actual
battles were able to further formalize the ryu-ha involved. As
such, ability being the center of focus was natural.
Free competition between the different disciplines (ryu-ha)
Throughout the mid-Edo era, several ryu-ha/s were formed into
organizations as well as several branch disciplines. The social
dynamics of the time for such an event to take place is said to
be the structure of Bakuhan (Shogunate-Clan structure). Under this
structure, the clan's military power was under control and supervision
of the shogunate, however such military strengths and methods were
kept highly secret. As such, each clan was able to choose the discipline
type of the bujitsu form, and the selected discipline was considered
as belonging to the clan and not the individual. In addition, agreements
of the bujitsu master and the clan were for only one generation
and there were no guarantees that the clan would continue to use
the same discipline after the agreement was fulfilled. In such
conditions it was impossible for one type of discipline to spread
throughout the country and for the most part, one clan ? one discipline
was the norm and this trend spread rapidly. Reportedly, fifty-eight
clans and the type of discipline utilized, found that eighty percent
of the clans were the sole users of one type of discipline from
the sixtyeight types available at the time.
The clan leader obviously searched for a highly skilled master
(teacher) for his clan, and the jiujitsu master had to market his
technique as original and superior to others. It is considered
that as a jiujitsu-master being contracted by a clan had the most
monetary stability and status and
such a position was sought out by most jiujitsu masters of that
time.
From such climates free competition between different disciplines
occurred and from the original few types of discipline that were
available in the early Edo era (1600?1650), the number grew to
approximately 200 discipline types by the end of the Edo era (1800?1868).
(It is said that over 750 discipline types existed for Kenjitsu
(sword display) Reportedly, most of the new disciplines were for
one clan only, however, all the new disciplines were bi-products
of the original discipline and its influence was obvious. Where
they did not give such discipline the original name and rather
gave it a name of its own as well as its own structure is an example
of the jiujitsu climate of the time, where the original discipline
was modified due to free will or by necessity.
As a matter of fact, frequently a dissatisfied highly ranked disciple
would move away from the original discipline studied and take up
a new discipline or make a new discipline and undertake action
on his own. Especially during the mid Edo era, there were many
jiujitsu experts whom would study two or even three types of disciplines.
As for the masters of the several different disciplines, they
always attempted to keep their form of discipline (technique and
spirit) a secret and would force the discipline to secrecy as not
to teach outside the discipline group. However such attempts would
be only in form, and were not able to be actually enforced. Even
on a personal level, the merit system would be in place and made
the free competition flourish further.
Signs of consolidation of disciplines in the later stages of
the Edo era
On the other hand, during the mid to late Edo era, known as the "tahei
no yo" period, most bujitsu starts to depart from the actual
fighting scene and would become more of an art form. Each group
started to exemplify the need for spiritual principles, and for
a short time enters a more extreme and self-satisfying era where
technique based ability was less important.
However, in the later part of the Edo era, due to the threat from
overseas and several riots from the farmers, the shogunate itself
started to promote bujitsu and the discipline groups would start
to reflect its own actual fighting capabilities once again. In
such climate, inter?discipline matches would become popular. At
the time, the technical contents of the jiujitsu disciplines were
basically taught and passed on by "Kata" (form). "Kata" was
based on actual fighting techniques and were patterned and served
well in the teachings between master and disciple. "Kata" utilized
were dependent on the level of the disciple and for the advanced.
a high level "kata" could be taught and the master could
know how far the disciple has progressed with this patterned "kata" method.
In addition, this method was suited to leave such information to
later generations in its original form. However, at times where "beauty" was
pursued it became more artificial and this was considered dangerous
as it would distance itself from the basic requirement of bujitsu
which is actual fighting capability. As such. there were no alternative
methods to determine which disciplines were superior other than
the inter-discipline matches.
Many of the discipline groups had sworn their students not to
engage in fighting with other discipline types. However, this only
exemplifies the fact that there was lust for fighting other disciplines
among the students. They would like to know their true capability
by fighting other discipline groups.
With such events the basic "actual fighting capability" would
return in the form of "inter-discipline matches" which
fueled the free competition amongst the discipline types of that
time. From the viewpoint of "actual fighting capability",
consolidation of the overly fractionalized discipline types can
be started to be seen.
Unification by Kodokan
When Kodokan Jyudo (judo) was established in 1877, it was one
of the discipline forms in the world of jiujitsu. From the end
of the Edo era to the early parts of the Meiji era (circa 18501880)
jiujitsu as a whole was suffering. However the main discipline
types still remained and the police as well as the town dojos (martial
art halls) and schools each taught jiujitsu on their own. The Kodokan
taught mainly school students through its higher ranking disciples
but were still on the level of other discipline groups as an organization.
The greatest chance for the Kodokan to establish itself came when
the "Dainihon Butokukai" (herein referred to as Butokukai)
established in 1890, and its implementation of rules and regulations
for the jiujitsu matches in 1899 and regulations for "jiujitsu-kata" established
in 1906. Butokukai was established as the governing body of the
different types of bujitsu by high ranking government
officials. military personnel and policeman to "maintain
the samurai spirit" in the Meiji era and the new government
system it brought to that era. The Kodokan was an original member
from the era and the commencement of the organization occurred
in 1905, Master Kano received the degree of jiujitsu master of
the governing body after Youshinryuis Hidemi Tozuka and Shiten-ryuis
Kumon Hoshino. He also acted as committee chairman of regulatory
committee for the judging and regulation pursuant to the matches
and kata disciplinary. In the committee the main ryu-ha and its
masters were present and heated discussions took place but in the
end, the methods that the Kodokan had already been utilizing were
generally selected.
The main reason behind this is general acceptance was that master
Kano was able to theoretically add value to jiujitsu in a physical
education form. In 1889, master Kano had already lectured on such
contents at the Dainihon kyouikukai (Japan education committee)
under the title of "Judo and its educational value" (translated).
It is also viewed that this lecture was in response to the ministry
of education's adverse recommendation to the physical education
board based on its studies of "The appropriateness of Bujitsu
being an educational material" which concluded that "Bujitsu
is unsuitable for school education material" in 1883. The
lecture is separated into sections such as "Judo Physical
Education", "How to compete with Judo" and "Judo
and Mental (spiritual) Development" however. especially the
Judo Physical Education section seeks new correlation's between
judo. physiology and safety.
Butokukai from its conception had mainly recruited policeman as
members, however after the initial years it changed its direction
toward school related personnel. This was an effort to make bujitsu
enter into the classes of physical education. (In later years,
Butokukai establishes "School of Bujitsu" to build a
basis for educational personnel) In summary, both the Kodokan and
Butokukai were very similar to in its quest for jiujitsu to become
a modern sport in the new era. As it is well known, Master Kano
was not only an established jiujitsu expert: but also an elite
whom lead the educational and cultural changes of that time period.
The Butokukai recognize Master Kano as the most appropriate selection
to lead. As time progressed other famous jiujitsu experts all agreed
to master Kano's thoughts on Judo's acceptance as a modem physical
educational sport and gradually were absorbed and unified under
the master's vision. It can be said that under the stipulations
and criterion under the government's organizing body Butokukai,
the Kodokan unifies the jiujitsu sector of the organization.
Significance of "Jiyuradori" under Unification
In addition to the ability to stipulate theory, Kodokan judo actually
integrates theory with actual performance (actual fighting) and
this was its principle point. This is well displayed at the Kodokan's
performance in the "Jiyuradori method". Opponents each
seeking to make "waza" (technique moves to each other.
This "randori was also utilized by other jiujitsu disciplines
but Kano's theory to randor was "safety", physical strength
development and balanced development" as well as "enticing
interest in the student". It is widely known that even as
such. safety was especially prioritized and "atemi (hitting)" and "hand
and toes and it joints" as well as "wrist and ankle" targeted "wazas
(techniques)" was excluded. If there were a no-rule bujitsu
match the loser would either be injured or in the worst case, even
die. As such, a no-rule actual fighting would never be accepted
in a physical educational structure. (By this stand point, the "kata" formed
in the Edo era can be said to be useful) In the lecture mentioned
earlier, "Judo and its Educational Value", master Kano
actually demonstrated in front of the attendees "randori" utilizing
young men and said "As you can see and understand. it is not
dangerous and it is very good exercise for the body, and mind".
By these methods, the significance of "randori" is that
it enabled the individual to test his actual fighting capabilities
and techniques freely". In other words, "randori" guarantees "freedom" within
the stipulated rules. This also has similarities of modem sports
and its free competition style which were born and spread throughout
the world by England in the later part of the 19th century. As
Kangawa expresses " The conception of the Judo physical education
method not only adds qualitative properties to jiujitsu but also
the physical randori method brought judo to the modern sporting
competition scene. Hence, the development in Japan and internationalization
of the Kodokan can be directly attributed to this reason. " In
summary, the unification of the different disciplines were made
possible by making jiujitsu a free competition sport, based on
safety.
In fact, in the multi-discipline jiujitsu matches where the Kodokan
was competing, the "jyu-radori" really
revealed its strength. For example, at the bujitsu competition
held at the police headquarters in 1885, it is said that the Kodokan
dominated the Tozuka-group Youshin-ryu whom were the main powerhouse
at the time. These matches were held to determine the jiujitsu
master for the police headquarters as well as to determine the
real ability of the different discipline types. According to the
notes of Hajime Isogai, most of the "wazas" utilized
in this tournament was ashibarai, kouchigari, hizaguruma. ouchigari
and kaeshi waza, basically known as kowaza (small waza) and this
light footed but perfected action dominated the osotogari and newaza
utilized by the Tozuka?group Youshin?ryu. It proved that not only
tenacity but the fast body action and movement is the most required
necessity for Kodokan Judo. The fast body action and movement can
only be developed through free "randori" practice and
this shows that the Kodokan had already been employing "jyuradori" in
its practice methods at that time.
In the later years, the Kodokan continues to demonstrate its dominance
in the bujitsu matches held by the police headquarters, unfortunately
the rules of such matches have never been made clear. The rules
are clarified for the first time in 1899 when Butokukai rules and
regulations are established and with similar stipulations, the
Kodokan judo "randori" matches regulations in 1900. However.
due to the matches in 1880. it was decided by either nagewaza (throwing
techniques) or newaza (ground work techniques), it can be assumed
that the dangerous "atemi waza" as well as the "kansetsu
waza" (joint?locking techniques) were already excluded and
more emphasis on safety had been in place. It is highly possible
that the rules and regulations or modified version of the Kodokan's "jyuradori" were
utilized for such public matches. as safety is the foremost important
criteria of such events. As such, since the disciples of the Kodokan
were already engaging in jyuradori, they had the distinct advantage.
In this way, not only by theory, but also the jyuradon methods
of "actual fighting capability" of the Kodokan gradually
gains acceptance and makes further advances to the unification
of the jiujitsu world.
Summary
As explained, the Kodokan's jyuradori enabled the different types
of disciplines to engage in matches and compete when Jujitsu was
in its unification period and functionally served a major role.
In addition, the basis was "safety", "enhancement
of strength" and "interest" which are values required
for modern sports. With jyuradori the free competition principles
of judo has been unified and are now spreading its stage to the
international community and like other sports, are able to enjoy
the everlasting free competition.
However, as we all know, the judo that Master Kano sought does
not end with randori. The time has progressed from modern time
to post modern and beginning with the financial world, all fields
are now moving towards "Competition to Coexistence".
This notion of coexistence is also expressed by Master Kano as "Jita
Kyoei" (self/others coexist and flourish) in the judo language
form, and this ideology should be utilized in modern judo.
Original text: Judo (by Kodokan) 1998 December
Issue.
Written by: Kousuke Nagaki, Assistant Professor,
Hyogo Educational University.
Released by: Judo Research and Development Group, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
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