Product Description

Throughout the long history of Japan's martial traditions, judo has evolved into one of the nation's richest and most revered cultural legacies. The vast array of judo techniques has branched out into three distinct categories: throwing techniques, grappling techniques, and striking techniques. Of these, throwing techniques (nage-waza) represent some of the most dynamic and compelling aspects of this world-famous martial art.

Recent developments in competition (shiai) and free practice (randori) have seen an increase in the number of forms of nage-waza, leading to often confusing interpretations of the techniques' names. The purpose of this book, therefore, is to provide a comprehensive and correct classification of nage-waza terminology as used in both competition and practice. All the sixty-seven official Kodokan throwing techniques and their various forms are explained thoroughly and concisely, and over 1,800 photographs accompany the text to provide the reader with the most comprehensive guide to judo's throwing forms to date.

For many years author Toshiro Daigo has held the prestigious position of chief instructor at the Kodokan, regarded as the mecca for all judo enthusiasts, and this book is the result of painstaking research into the constantly changing forms of judo's nage-waza. It will be an invaluable resource for practitioners everywhere.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #312549 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

About the Author
TOSHIRO DAIGO was born in 1926. He graduated from the Tokyo University of Education, and later became the judo champion of Japan in 1951, 1952, and 1954. He has been the chief instructor at the Kodokan for many years, and was the manager of the Japanese judo team at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, and at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. In 1992 he received the rank of Kodokan 9th dan. He has published several textbooks on judo in Japanese.

Customer Reviews

Ultimate Book Of Judo Throws
This is a book that every serious Judo practitioner (and grappler) should have.
It is an in depth, as well as broad "manual" for every throw that is in Judo.
In my opinion, every Judo instructor should study and teach from this book as it is a definite resource of all Judo techniques that we should learn and preserve as a rich Judo tradition.
Every throw is described and demonstrated in details with variations, traditional (nage no kata) and modern competitive variations, combinations as well as with historical drawings from Jiu Jitsu roots. Photo sequences are long, detailed, very easy to learn from and just in general excellent. They are not only "studio" photos - there are some very rare competition, historical, kata photos marvelously put in the context.

Competition Techniques:

There are pages and pages dedicated to major competion throws - twice than in "Best Judo". Uchi Mata, Ouchi, Tai Otoshi, ... get over 6-7 pages each of very thorough analysis and effective step-by-step photo demonstrations (including combinations).

Rarities:

Kani Bassami (scissor throw) has been a widely popular, but nototrious for injuries and therefore removed from the competition.
This book does not ignore this throw but gives it 3-4 full pages - technique, principle and variations. The last section for this throw presents a powerfull justification why was the throw removed from the competition - there is a authentic sequence of competiton footages showing how the competitor's legs were broken by his oponent who utilized this throw.

How effective is the book

Just in one hour of reading of this book I personally picked up some major tips on Makekomi techniques,
and improved what I currently knew about these techniques.
If you are a Judo practitioner you know that it is usually pretty hard to pick much from the book - specially Makekomi techniques from the Japanese book.

For other grapplers and combat sports practitioners

I would actually recommend this book to the practitioners of other grappling sports/art because the level of details and instructions are so rich, and the techniques are so effectively presented that they could gain a lot from it. Photo demostrations are excellent, and the key points are so effectivelly highlighted that it is possible to pick up some techniques in a self-study format.

Authoritative Reference
This manual is an authoritative reference which gives clear explanations of the basic throws of Judo. It is not a book for beginners because it has so much detail that it could be confusing. For example, there are multiple versions of each throw shown, some of which are quite different from the basic technique. It helps the reader distinguish between throws that are similar, and distinct variations of each throw.

It is best used as a reference for further study of techniques learned in class. It is not really competition oriented, and is more geared to technicians and those interested in understanding the official position of the Kodokan regarding each technique. Only approved Kodokan techniques are shown, and of course no matwork is included.

The single most comprehensive guide to judo's throwing forms available to American martial arts students to date
Ably translated into English by Francoise White, Kodokan Judo: Throwing Techniques by Toshiro Daigo provides the martial arts student with a comprehensive and correct classification of "nage-waza" terminology as used in both competition and practice. All sixty-seven official Kodokan throwing techniques and their various forms are explained and illustrated thoroughly and concisely with more than 1,800 photographs enhancing the step-by-step text. A very strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, and dojo martial arts reference collections, Kodokan Judo: Throwing Techniques is a complete book of instruction and the single most comprehensive guide to judo's throwing forms available to American martial arts students to date.