What do you think?
Rate this book
Ippon!: The Fight for Judo's Soul
When judo became an Olympic sport at the 1964 Games it truly went global. From its origins as a minority Japanese martial art to a major sporting activity, judo has encompassed the globe. Now major competitions are televised for large audiences that have never practiced the art themselves.
Dr Jigoro Kano started out, for practical reasons, studying self-defence techniques. Using his considerable intellect he forged a fighting system that is still used as the basis for effective self-defence systems across the world. His art contains strikes with the knees, elbows, feet and fists and kata is an integral part of his system.
Why are such powerful techniques so neglected by today’s practitioners? How did judo come to be seen as little more than a combat sport? Dave Hammond, who has been practising and studying judo for over 25 years, answers these questions and many others in this insightful book.
This fascinating study examines the sport, art, history and philosophy of judo. Participants, instructors and spectators will all find it of interest. Never before has this information been brought together in one study, making this a unique and thought-provoking book for all martial artists and those who enjoy judo.
Dr Jigoro Kano started out, for practical reasons, studying self-defence techniques. Using his considerable intellect he forged a fighting system that is still used as the basis for effective self-defence systems across the world. His art contains strikes with the knees, elbows, feet and fists and kata is an integral part of his system.
Why are such powerful techniques so neglected by today’s practitioners? How did judo come to be seen as little more than a combat sport? Dave Hammond, who has been practising and studying judo for over 25 years, answers these questions and many others in this insightful book.
This fascinating study examines the sport, art, history and philosophy of judo. Participants, instructors and spectators will all find it of interest. Never before has this information been brought together in one study, making this a unique and thought-provoking book for all martial artists and those who enjoy judo.
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2008
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 9, 2018
A book that should be read by all practising judoka
As a practising judoka since I was 9 yrs old i agreed and remember so much he that Mr Hammond has written thank you Mr Hammond i couldn't put it down
As a practising judoka since I was 9 yrs old i agreed and remember so much he that Mr Hammond has written thank you Mr Hammond i couldn't put it down
April 11, 2022
Another re-read from my Kindle, but pertinent as been thinking lately about engaging again with this martial art.
And indeed much of this book makes the point that is exactly what Judo is. Kano did not intend that Judo should be a sport alone (or indeed at all?), but rather a system of education, a philosophy for living and the highest good, a system of physical education and self defence.
Having completed, my resolve is that I should enquire with my local BJC club and see if I can't start training at the ripe age of 51!
####
I read this some time ago now. What I do remember however and whole-heartedly agree with is that modern (Sports) Judo has lost it's way. Kano intended Judo to be a system of mental and physical education; to integrate philosophy, principles of self-defence, and competition, but moreover co-operation between Judoka (when not actively engaged in the latter!).
I may be mistaken, but the 'exclusively focused on sport' mentality of Judo does a dis-service to the original intent and how it is practiced in the U.K. We need to go back to Japan and ask the Kodokan to send many envoy's to re-educate us as to the original intent and practice of Judo.
And indeed much of this book makes the point that is exactly what Judo is. Kano did not intend that Judo should be a sport alone (or indeed at all?), but rather a system of education, a philosophy for living and the highest good, a system of physical education and self defence.
Having completed, my resolve is that I should enquire with my local BJC club and see if I can't start training at the ripe age of 51!
####
I read this some time ago now. What I do remember however and whole-heartedly agree with is that modern (Sports) Judo has lost it's way. Kano intended Judo to be a system of mental and physical education; to integrate philosophy, principles of self-defence, and competition, but moreover co-operation between Judoka (when not actively engaged in the latter!).
I may be mistaken, but the 'exclusively focused on sport' mentality of Judo does a dis-service to the original intent and how it is practiced in the U.K. We need to go back to Japan and ask the Kodokan to send many envoy's to re-educate us as to the original intent and practice of Judo.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews