KODOKAN JUDO ATEMI WAZA (English).: Study of the official classification of Atemi waza and Kyusho of Jigoro Kano

Jose Caracena's "Kodokan Judo Atemi Waza" fills a crucial gap in modern knowledge about Judo, and provides insight into the third, less-explored pillar of Kano Jigoro's fighting system. Ultimately, this work is geared more toward Judokas and, potentially, Japanese jujitsu practitioners. The book treats vital points and depicts atemi waza in later chapters; this isn't its primary focus, and it understates actual applications -- particularly as it involves classical use to break balance and set up throws. (Atemi waza striking isn't karate striking, as I learned in Japanese jujitsu.)Caracena quotes extensively from Kano's "Judo Kyohan," a 1931 work Caracena also has translated into both English and Spanish. Kano urged training Judoka in atemi waza first, for immediate self-defense applications, and also sought to incorporate striking more into randori (sparring) ahead of his death. Later curricula largely dropped his developments and preserved some aspects of atemi waza in kata. This is unfortunate, because Caracena's book unequivocally demonstrates Kano applied the same level of scientific inquiry, including sparring with boxers, to select what was best and most effective from a medley of traditional Japanese jujitsu styles. Ultimately, Kano applied the same rigor to developing atemi waza that he did to systemizing the most effective throws, grappling and locks culled from traditional jujitsu.Caracena's call to action -- to revive the third pillar of this art -- isn't unique to Judo. Karateka are exploring Funikoshi's nine "lost throws," along with other grappling aspects of Okinawan karate dropped from modern competition. Kirk Lawson has dusted off and revived aged bare-knuckle boxing manuals that depict the grappling under the old London Prize Ring Rules. He also wrote "Banned from Boxing," a book that offers a history of these throws, their rationale, and a how-to for application. Caracena's point is well-argued, and the power of Judo is evident not only in its proven effectiveness, global practice and status as an Olympic sport, but in the arts it has spawned (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Russian Sambo, and Kudo among them), but in its influence in both police and military combatives.This brings me to the one area where the book falls short: The execution of atemi, its full uses, and the vast difference between atemi's application and the application of, say, karate, isn't fully explored. Reincorporating atemi waza actually could be easier today, given the widespread use of these strikes -- though not in the same way Kano necessarily imagined -- in combatives courses that use special body and face shielding to allow for hard impact.The better book from a perspective of pure technique is "My Method of Self-Defense" by Mikonosuke Kawaishi, and is a must-have for any martial arts or self-defense practitioner. This criticism may be unfair; Caracena's second title is "Study of the Official Classification of Atemi Waza and Kyusho." It's a nearly academic in its approach, and may serve as a first volume to elucidate Kano's thinking and underscore the importance placed on atemi by the Kodokan.

It is a good introduction to a part of Judo has has, unfortunately, been practically lost due to the excessive emphasis on competitive aspects. Judo has become a wrestling-like sport, not really useful for self defense. Many competitive Judo players, even at the black belt level, don't even know what Atemi Waza are. I have seen more comprehensive books, such as Kawaishi's book on self defense and Laserre's book on Atemi Waza, but those books are quite old and probably out of print. So it is really encouraging that a young Judo instructor is keeping the flame alive. Besides introducing the subject, the book also shows there is a traditional Kodokan Judo Association, which I am going to contact.

The information presented here is something that, I believe, has been largely forgotten in Judo as the focus is more commonly on the sporting aspects of the art. The book looks like something that was created in a word processor program - i.e. not really formatted well, illustrations are low resolution. It'd be nice to see a new edition with professional formatting and illustrations.

Maybe I have been in Judo/JiuJutsu too long. Nothing new.

This book provides a much needed perspective on Judo as a martial and not just a competitive sport. He presents Jigoro Kano’s view on the “third pillar” of Judo Atemi waza and why it is an integral part of Judo.

This is a very enjoyable book for anyone interested in traditional Judo. The author takes the writings of Jigoro Kano and weaves them together in an entertaining and informative way. This is one of my new favorites and I encourage my students to read it.

A good little resource, the book production is not we’re it should be for the cost of this book. If you are a student of karate or Tradition Jujitsu there is not any info in this for you.

After reading the first 11 pages, where 6 of them are "experts" praising the author and the book, you know it can't be good. It took "years of research" to come up with 119 pages of rubbish. Could have been a 10 page pamphlet easily. The biggest insult is on page 98 where an image of Kano Sensei is defiled by a chart. There are seriously words written across his face. Shows the author has no respect for Kano Sensei.The "years of research" basically names several vital points on the human body and different hand and foot strikes. Just another way for someone to take your hard earned money. Wish I could give a negative rating.

Eu gostei do produto. Não é recomendado para quem não sabe inglês, todo em inglês.Estou usando para estudar, depois de muitos anos, a classificação do Atemi Waza para retransmitir aos meus alunos.

Edição muito básica, identidade visual confusa e faltou editoração. O autor poderia ser melhor assessorado pela editora ou buscar outra.

Great book