Home My Perspective Brian Watson's Perspective

Brian Watson's Perspective

Brian Watson was a regular contributor to the British magazine JUDO from 1967 to 1985. He was formerly a special research student at the Kodokan, Tokyo where he gained a 4th dan in judo.

Loyalty

LOYALTY in Judo and in Life

Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable, than loyalty. Cicero (106 BC – 43 BC) After having lived in Japan for some time, one comes to...
Jigoro Kano

Judo and Education

Over a century ago, Japanese jujutsu men from various ryu or schools, often competed against one another and sometimes fought boxers and wrestlers in...
Jigoro Kano on Judo Instruction

INSTRUCTION in Judo and in Life

'Nothing under Heaven is more important than education. The teaching of one virtuous person can influence many. What has been well learned by one...
Jigoro Kano, Noriko Yasuda, Ayako Akutagawa

Women’s Judo

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu When compared to the men’s events, the...
British Jujutsu Pioneers

British Jujutsu Pioneers

Possession of profound knowledge is of great value. Katsu Kaishu (1823-1899) While researching the history of martial arts, I am often impressed by the sustained dedication...
To lead people, walk behind them. Lao Tzu

Leadership

According to Gordon Brown the world is ‘leaderless’. We hear statements such as: fake news, alternative facts, truth isn’t truth??? Is it any...
Aristotle Quote

COURAGE in Judo and in Life

"Courage is the first of human virtues because it makes all others possible." ~ Aristotle (384-322 BC) A courageous act can sometimes save a life....
Honor in Judo and Life

HONOR in Judo and in Life

Virtue is the fount whence honor springs. ~ Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) A salient feature of the samurai’s code of conduct was honor. Usually regarded as...
To lead people, walk behind them. Lao Tzu

Leaders

To lead people, walk behind them. Lao Tzu To maintain order in the smooth and efficient functioning of civilized society, it is preferable for one...
Montagu Quote

ETIQUETTE in Judo and in Life

‘Civility costs nothing, and buys everything.’ Mary Wortley Montagu (1689-1762) In boyhood my grandfather once asked me what I wished to be when I grew...