Oh the irony...

This week, I have a story to tell you then I have a question to ask.

First the story...

A while back, in a groundwork practice session, I had a 'Hollywood' moment.

Why 'Hollywood'?

Well, my training partner and myself were working a move to 'flatten' out an opponent from defensive (turtle) position and ultimately apply a choke.

I was uke and waited for him to drop me to the mat and apply the move.

My training partner started this but he (a strongly built man) dropped me to the mat surprisingly quickly.

The 'Hollywood' moment came as I 'peeled' my nose out of the mat then to be choked in the next part of the move.

It reminded me of the Hollywood stars pressing their feet / hands for posterity in the concrete in the Hollywood Walk of Fame outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

Unless I'm mistaken I could say that somewhere in a London judo club there is still an imprint of my nose on the mats!

Although I may exaggerate about the above, this and quite a few other 'moments' I have had in training got me thinking about the origin of the word 'judo'

The question I have is not about the meaning of the word 'judo'.

'Gentle way' is the accepted translation of this word.

No, my focus is not what judo means but WHY is it called 'gentle way'?

I found myself asking that question as I peeled my nose out of that mat.

I've subsequently found myself asking that question on being grabbed, dropped, arm-barred and strangled on quite a few occasions.

Don't get me wrong though, judo is a safe sport and martial art.

But, it is also a very physical activity, which requires energy, courage and MUCH determination in the face of very real obstacles either from opponents or from oneself.

Very occasionally mishaps can happen (my nose in the mat is proof of that), but even when things are working more or less as they should judo requires tenacity in the face of difficulty.

So why, oh why, is it called the 'gentle way'?

Is it Japanese irony or huge understatement?

Even before a judo players engage in throws or groundwork, judo is far from gentle.

Fighting for grip is a case in point.

I realise that taking a correct grip on the gi is a fundamental skill and it's NOT gentle.

Same thing goes for chokes, strangles, arm bars and throws. They aren't gentle either.

And yet...

When I think of the people I have trained with, the most difficult to take on in randori are the judoka who use power and speed at precisely the right moment.

And not a moment before nor after.

They do not use power unnecessarily and have an almost gentle approach until they execute the required throw or move.

Whether it's a foot sweep that comes out of nowhere or an opponent who spins around me very lightly in groundwork, gently hiding intentions until the very last moment seems an efficient way to succeed in judo.

Where an opponent gives little to fight against, he gives little to fight with.

As I believe I have said before, I haven't got much judo experience (just over a year) but I can respond to someone better who gives me an inkling of what they are about to do.

When the throw or groundwork move comes as a complete surprise it leaves me smiling and scratching my head in equal measure!

WHY our sport is called the 'gentle way', also leaves me smiling and scratching my head so if you have an answer to this question please contact me at this blog or goodkuzushi@yahoo.com or via Twitter @goodkuzushi.

I can't wait for the answers!

Till next time.

All the best,

Mike