Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo, believed that judo was an excellent physical activity for children, as it not only promoted physical fitness, but also instilled important values such as respect, discipline, and sportsmanship.
Kano also believed that judo helps children to develop a strong sense of confidence and self-esteem, as they learn to overcome physical challenges and improve their skills through training and practice.
Additionally, Kano emphasised the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for children to learn and practice judo. He believed that teachers should be knowledgeable and experienced in working with children and that they should prioritise the safety and well-being of their students at all times.
Overall, Kano viewed judo as a valuable tool for helping children develop physically, mentally, and emotionally, and believed that it could have a positive impact on their overall well-being and personal growth.
This is why Dr Kano thought that Kano that competition has negative effects if it became too intense or focused solely on winning.
He believed that a healthy approach to competition in judo should prioritise respect for opponents and fairness and that winning should not be pursued at the expense of these values. He then said that “competition for children is detrimental to their well-being and advocated strongly against involving children in any competition”.
Teaching Junomichi strictly based on Dr Kano’s principle (which is not Sport Judo):
- Encompassing is the use of one’s entire body and mind in the practice of Junomichi, rather than relying solely on physical strength or technique. This principle reflects the importance of developing a holistic approach to training and competition, which can help practitioners to optimise their physical and mental performance.
- Non-opposition refers to the idea of avoiding direct confrontation with one’s partner, and instead using their own energy and momentum to gain an advantage. This principle reflects the importance of flexibility and adaptability in the practice of Judo and can help practitioners to develop a more nuanced understanding of how to use their opponent’s energy to their own advantage.
- Decision refers to the importance of making quick, clear decisions in the practice of Judo, based on a thorough understanding of the situation and the techniques involved. This principle reflects the importance of cognitive processes such as perception, attention, and decision-making in the practice of Judo, which are all controlled by the central nervous system.
- Commitment refers to the idea of fully committing oneself to a particular action or technique in the practice of Junomichi, rather than hesitating or second-guessing oneself.
- Control refers to the idea of using one’s energy and momentum to control the movements of one’s opponent, rather than relying solely on physical strength or force.
This principle reflects the importance of confidence and assertiveness in the practice of Junomichi, which are also related to cognitive and emotional processes that are controlled by the central nervous system.
Ref: “Judo for Young People,” a book written by Jigoro Kano, outlines his approach to teaching judo to children and young adults.
- “Judo Memoirs of Jigoro Kano,” a collection of Kano’s writings and speeches on various topics related to judo, including his thoughts on the importance of teaching judo to children.
- “The Contribution of Judo to Education,” a speech given by Kano in 1934, in which he discusses the benefits of judo for children and young people, and the role of judo in promoting physical fitness, discipline, and personal growth.
- “Judo Education: An Introduction to the Principles and Practices of Teaching Judo,” a book by Tadao Otaki and Donn F. Draeger, includes several chapters on Kano’s approach to teaching judo to children and young adults.
