Tatami And Judogi

Before going further, talking about the technical secrets of judo and teaching. As for its practice and his mastery, you will find in the section, «Training» in the future articles.

needless to say that theoretical knowledge is not enough: we must study and practice with different partners and repeat thousands of times each take.

The Dojo

You already know a number of Japanese terms (judo, ju-jitsu, Kodokan, etc.). It is customary in most sports, to use the words of the country of origin. (Examples: goal, penalty, time, break, play, etc.). Then do the same, Do not be surprised to hear a strong judo declare yourself: «Yesterday on the tatami dojo, I tore my judogi performing Tai Sabaki during randori with a third dan who wanted me to go uchi-mata» Does this sound barbaric? Every beginner who enters for the first kings in a judo hall is this reflection. But soon, it uses it himself a lot of terms its partners teach him, along with the movements. After three months, everything neophyte may turn pale with astonishment a real Japanese!

But let us see what is a dojo.

Do the term means «way» and the term jo designating a specific place, dojo means «the place or the way we study» or «place of the way»; It is a term of Buddhist origin. The meditation room of some Buddhist temples called dojo. It is also the name of the room or studying a martial art.

Practically, Europe, dojo is used for «club». In fact, modern judo club includes a shower room, a cloakroom, a gym, a living room (bar, library) and ... the dojo (room or studying judo). Ideally, it is a large room, where the soil is covered with a huge carpet. The walls are bare, very clear. Sometimes there hang a photo or two judo techniques: a nice projection, for example. In the center of the wall facing the entrance are fixed one or more symbolic emblems: cherry blossom, a samurai sword, the photo of Jigoro Kano or kakemono (Japanese painting that rolls on a bamboo).

In all, there emerges an austerity climate, profound peace, an atmosphere conducive to the study and serious research. During training, the silence is required and only when required is felt, is questioned or are answered without raising your voice too. A correct and clean attire is required. Any carelessness is prohibited. A master judge penny wind his students their behavior in the dojo. If spectators are allowed, they are asked not to smoke, to discover and to also remain silent. When the dojo was held in this way, it is natural that the judoka soon considered a place of meditation, like an oasis out of the noise. 

Besides, how to design a different atmosphere for this exciting ascent to self-control?

The Tatamis

To practice judo at ease, must be able to fall on ground .. pretty welcoming. It must be flexible, elastic and can not cause, in case of falls, no injuries or other trauma. We have seen that the ground at the dojo, is covered with a huge carpet. It is actually a very large solid canvas, under which is a layer of a few centimeters of felt, straw or other material capable to amortize falls. 

This device remains very good for a beginner, but it tends more and more to be replaced by a more efficient way. Why? Because we find that these carpets were too soft. lily curbed the speed of movement, weakening relaxing the movements and poorly deadened violent falls. Make yourself the experience: run quickly a dance step on a floor, then try it on a mattress. You will agree that a too soft soil is far from ideal for judo, it is impossible to work on a floor: it would be ideal for the attacker, but the hospital would be to attack. The ideal solution is halfway: is the tatami. The word denotes the mat that covers the floor of any home Japanese. It is made of braided hemp or linen, sometimes rice straw; it is often covered with a clear canvas. Its dimension is standard: about one meter by two meters. These mats laid end to end, create an intimate atmosphere and clean. Are thinking we take off our shoes when entering a Japanese house.

Note in passing that the tatami is used in Japan as a surface measurement. We say: «My room is twelve tatami» or «We have rented an thirty-six tatami apartment», etc.

With regard judo, European clubs employ more tatami factories especially in the Empire of  the Rising Sun. lily measure 1.90 m to 0.95 m and a thickness of 6 cm. Lily are made of rice straw sorted, cut and sewn presses in a hessian wrap, covering or better vinyl. The mats are placed one beside the other and held on the outside by a frame. The assembly may be placed either on a fixed floor, or (which is preferred) on a resilient floor mounted on spring or rubber. What is the advantage of such a device? Judo becomes faster, more nervous, more explosive; can take advantage of the finer techniques. And it does not spoil anything, falls are better damped despite the drought of the early impression. Physiologically, the distribution of the shock wave is more homogeneous, the beginner will be resulting in small drops, he will prefer probably fall on a carpet, which receives like a comfortable cushion. But, as he advances in his initiation, falls become more important. it is then found at the time of impact, the vibration of the shock must be disseminated quickly on a large surface, their dispersion attenuating the backlash. But on softer carpet the shock wave is concentrated at the point of impact.

The judogi

As a fight "real" is waged between opponents dressed, judo takes this into account. Judokas are not fighting in jersey, but dressed in trousers and a jacket. Fighting techniques are also influenced largely by the garment, even to the point of use as a means of attack (I speak in a later article). But fight close combat coated with a ordinary clothes, could be very expensive: the garment will tear at the first tussle. It was therefore necessary to design special equipment for judo: the judogi or keikogi. These words mean respectively «judo suit» and «training suit » In Japan, on-the employs one for the other. The pants are very solid white canvas. There is ample, no knobs or zipper. A cord passes into a behind the scenes along the belt, order to fix the pants waist (fig.1). The jacket is woven into a thicker, stronger even than the canvas pants. Moreover, it is generally reinforced collar, armpits and other parties susceptible to tearing. It is white and has no button or other locking system (Fig.2). Judoka puts this outfit by keeping him a slip. On the carpet, it will evolve barefoot, they play a very important role not only for displacements and detents, but also for countless outlets. The foot of a trained judoka is besides always perfectly muscled.

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