Before I even begin to talk about judo I should define what art is or at least what it is to me. The dictionary defines art as “The conscious use of imagination in the production of objects intended to be contemplated or appreciated as beautiful, as an arrangement of forms, sounds or words.” To me art is simply expression, in whatever form it may take, dance, music, painting, sculpture or in this case judo. Judo is a martial art, an art of combat practiced as a sport.

If you were to ask ten painters to paint the same portrait or landscape you would end up with ten very different paintings, the same applies with judo, ten judoka could be shown the same technique and interpret it in very different ways. One of the best aspects of judo is discovering your own way, this may be as simple as constructing a combination yourself, finding your own grip pattern, to inventing your very own technique. Obviously a judoka needs to build a framework of fundamentals and basic principles, but should be encouraged to question and adapt. To quote Charlie Chaplin “We are not machines, we are men” (and of course women) What works for one may not work for another. I may show a technique that works for me, another judoka may see it and say “I like it but I prefer a different grip” or “if I change the entry it will fit better with my other techniques” this should be encouraged, and will only improve your own knowledge and give your technique a wider range of use. This is what raises judo above other sports in my opinion.

Judo is more than a sport, more than art, more than combat. The greats will encapsulate all of the above, phenomenal athletes with determination, ambition, flair and imagination. I’ve heard it said that Neil Adams had a gripping strategy for every opponent, this requires understanding and imagination, any plausible grip you can think of, he would have an answer for. Kashiwazaki would have multiple variations of the same turnover, with multiple adaptions of each of those. Steve Gorthorpe understood perfectly the art of pain, how to make everything uncomfortable, how to manipulate an opponent to exactly where he wanted them. Yamashita, who had such style and grace both on and off the mat and remarkable speed for a heavy weight.  Craig Fallon who would throw from positions you’d think impossible and escape from throws with the agility of an acrobat, things only he could do. This to me is art, this is expression, these are the things that make a good judoka great. Even ugly judo can be beautiful; flair and passion speak louder than meticulously drilled text book techniques. We remember the artist over the athlete.

Judo like art is evolving, to keep up we need to find a balance between science and tradition, between the old and the new, sport and art, we can’t lose the soul of judo to the demands of the modern world, but in the same breath we can’t ignore progress in the name of tradition. Judo will find its own way.                  

Be an athlete, a fighter, an inventor and an artist, be a judoka.                 

By Danny Carr