The A to Z of Judo

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Author: Syd Hoare
Pub: 1994 by Ippon Books
Pages: 192
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This book is not only a must have, but it is currently available. Syd Hoare has taken a unique approach in this book, he simply researched a dozen authoritative books, and listed (with photos), every technique that is given a name. Techniques I've done for many years I learned the name of for the first time. (Do you know Kanuki Gatame??)

When this book goes out of print, it will be as highly sought after as 'Canon of Judo' is today, so do the smart thing and get this one while it's still affordable! (Better yet, get several copies - you'll sell your extra copies on Ebay when this book goes out of print - and make money!)

Trust Me On This One... Click On The Link Above,

And Order This Book Now If You Don't Already Own It!


The Essence of Judo .................  IX
Nage-waza (Throws) ..................   1
Osaekomi-waza (Hold Downs) ..........  93
Ude-kansetsu-waza (Armlocks) ........ 111
Ashi-kansetsu-waza (Leglocks) ....... 137
Kubi-kansetsu-waza (Spinelocks) ..... 145
Kotewaza (Wrist-Locks) .............. 150
Shime-waza (Strangles) .............. 153
The Official Technique List of the
International Judo Federation ....... 189
Refereeing Terminology .............. 191
Japanese Pronunciation .............. 191



Why a book with so many named judo techniques? Firstly, most people in judo wish to progress through the grades and gain their black belts. To do this it is necessary to know the names of the techniques and be able to demonstrate them. This book sets out to list all the techniques you will ever need to know for progress through the grades.

Secondly, it can be said that if a technique does not have a name it does not exist or does not exist for long. Much unnamed technique exists in the minds of competitors and teachers but it usually dies with them. However, by researching judo books, Japanese and Western, old and new, I have identified 100 named throws and 90 named groundwork techniques. It is hoped that by grouping them under one cover it will provide a memory bank of judo technique and help perpetuate their existence. To my knowledge this is the first time that this has been done.

Thirdly, as I researched the subject it became clear that some confusion exists both in Japan and elsewhere as to correct names of the techniques. This book is an attempt to sort out this confusion.

Syd Hoare, 7th Dan
London Judo Society,


The Sources

Since the originator of judo -- Jigoro Kano -- was Japanese and the names of the techniques are in Japanese, I have taken Japanese experts to be the primary authorities. In particular I have referred to books written by high-grade Japanese, mostly 10th Dans such as Kyuzo Mifune, Sakujiro Yokoyama and Sumiyuki Kotani.

The named techniques come from three sources. First and foremost is the Kodokan and its Gokyo. The Kodokan is the name of the judo school that Kano created and the word Gokyo means 'five teachings'. The Gokyo consists of five groups of eight throws. This list is occasionally updated but it cannot be said to have changed much in the last century.

In addition to the Gokyo the Kodokan compiles a list of techniques, both throws and groundwork, that it officially recognizes.

Next are the techniques in the kata (pre-arranged movement sequences) created by the founder of judo.

Finally there are the extra techniques identified or invented by Japanese 10th Dan experts in Japan or by Japanese high grade instructors resident abroad such as Gunji Koizumi in Britain and Mikonosuke Kawaishi in France. Such is the formal nature of society in Japan that only high grades have the authority to 'create' new techniques.

Many of the techniques in this book are not randori (free-fighting) or competition techniques. It must be remembered, however, that the randori/competition rules were formulated so that judo could be done safely and realistically. Thus dangerous techniques were excluded from this format but not eliminated from judo. Some of the more dangerous techniques were put into the kata but only a few. The original complete system of judo consisted of throws, joint-locks (all types of joint locks), strangles, immobilization holds and atemi-waza or the art of striking vital nerve spots.

Apart from the interest in these ancient, effective and often secret techniques, the modern competition referee will find them useful when deciding between, say, a strangle or a neck-lock in a competition. Some referees have only a hazy idea of what the 'illegal' techniques really are.

Those who are interested in judo as a means of' self-defence will find these non-competition techniques very useful.

Finally those interested in the historical development of judo will discover how over the years as the rules have changed certain techniques have been eliminated. This has limited judo in ways that most modern judo people are not aware of.




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