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About Seattle Dojo
 Judo, meaning “the gentle way” or “the way of
giving way”, is a Japanese martial art and a sport developed by Dr. Jigoro
Kano in 1882. Kano refined the ancient fighting system of Jujutsu into a
system based on the principles of “maximum efficiency with minimum effort”
and “mutual welfare and benefit.” The first principle entails using a combination of
technique and timing in order to throw an opponent using as little physical
strength as possible. The second principle means that although Judo is a physical art
by nature, applying the principles of Judo to everyday activities enables
individuals to translate the ideas of maximum efficiency and “giving way” in
a physical sense into mutual aid and concession in society, resulting in
harmony among people.
 In eliminating the “dangerous” techniques of
Jujutsu such as kicking, punching, and small joint locks, Kano developed a
system in which techniques could be practiced at full speed and power with
little risk of injury. The techniques that were kept and further refined
comprise a large variety of throws as well as techniques for controlling an
opponent on the ground, such as pins, chokes, and arm locks. In accordance
with the principle of maximum efficiency, students first master “ukemi”, the
art of falling properly to avoid injury, so that they can train daily
without requiring time to recover between practices.
 As a sport, points are awarded for throwing
or pinning an opponent. Alternatively, a match may be won by forcing an
opponent to submit to a choke or arm lock. Judo has been a sanctioned
Olympic sport since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and there are countless levels
of competitions in which players of all levels of experience can test their
skills against others.
 Whether it is practiced for exercise,
recreation, competition, self-defense, or as a way of life, Judo is an
inexpensive activity that can be enjoyed all year round by women and men,
boys and girls of all ages. Judo dojos around the world welcome players of
all levels of experience, and anyone interested is encouraged to stop by and
observe classes.
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