(Contributors: Neil Ohlenkamp - JudoSensei@aol.com, Michael D'Auben - 72517.1031@compuserve.com) Intro: Judo is a sport and a way to get in great shape, but is also very useful for self-defense. Origin: Japan History: Judo is derived from Jujutsu (see Jujutsu). It was created by Professor Jigoro Kano who was born in Japan in 1860 and who died in 1938 after a lifetime of promoting Judo. Mastering several styles of jujutsu in his youth he began to develop his own system based on modern sports principles. In 1882 he founded the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo where he began teaching and which still is the international authority for Judo. The name Judo was chosen because it means the "gentle way". Kano emphasised the larger educational value of training in attack and defense so that it could be a path or way of life that all people could participate in and benefit from. He eliminated some of the traditional jujutsu techniques and changed training methods so that most of the moves could be done with full force to create a decisive victory without injury. The popularity of Judo increased dramatically after a famous contest hosted by the Tokyo police in 1886 where the Judo team defeated the most well-known jujutsu school of the time. It then became a part of the Japanese physical education system and began its spread around the world. In 1964 men's Judo competition became a part of the Olympics, the only eastern martial art that is an official medal sport. In 1992 Judo competition for women was added to the Olympics. Description: Judo is practiced on mats and consists primarily of throws (nage-waza), along with katame-waza (grappling), which includes osaekomi-waza (pins), shime-waza (chokes), and kansetsu-waza (armbars). Additional techniques, including atemi-waza (striking) and various joint locks are found in the judo katas. Judo is generally compared to wrestling but it retains its unique combat forms. As a daughter to Jujutsu these techniques are also often taught in Judo classes. Because the founder was involved in education (President of Tokyo University) Judo training emphasizes mental, moral and character development as much as physical training. Most instructors stress the principles of Judo such as the principle of yielding to overcome greater strength or size, as well as the scientific principles of leverage, balance, efficiency, momentum and control. Judo would be a good choice for most children because it is safe and fun. Training: Judo training has many forms for different interests. Some students train for competition by sparring and entering the many tournaments that are available. Other students study the traditional art and forms (kata) of Judo. Other students train for self-defense, and yet other students play Judo for fun. Black belts are expected to learn all of these aspects of Judo. Sub-Styles: Because Judo originated in modern times it is organized like other major sports with one international governing body, the International Judo Federation (IJF), and one technical authority (Kodokan). There are several small splinter groups (such as the Zen Judo Assoc.) who stress judo as a "do" or path, rather than a sport. Unlike other martial arts, Judo competition rules, training methods, and rank systems are relatively uniform throughout the world.

Just to add a slight correction to the answer given by "rec-martial-arts," Judo is not the only Eastern Martial Art to become a medal sport in the Olympics. In 1988 and 1992, Taekwondo was a demonstration sport at the games in Seoul, Korea, and Barcelona, Spain respectively. In 2000, Taekwondo was granted full medal status at the games in Sydney, Australia. I am a Black Belt in Judo, Aikido, Karate, and Taekwondo. I have been an Olympic competitor, state and national referee, and International Coach for Taekwondo. Judo can be a fun sport, but I believe that Dr. Jigoro Kano's intention was to shield the knowledge of the Japanese Martial Art from suppression by taking away the appearence of a form of military training, and desguise it more as a sport, and a form of social education. Dr. Kano became an educator, and a politician. By establishing the Kodokan, he attempted to modernize the training, and bring the multitude of instructors with diferent variations of jujutsu together in one school so that all would benefit from the culmination of their knowledge. Judo skills, like any legitimate expression of the combat aspect of the Martial Art contains the three elements: Striking, throwing, and holding. Judo practitioners tend to focus more on throwing, and grappling for holds (particularly chokes and joint locks), then on striking. Kicking is typically a limited practice and rare occurance in Judo. I believe Dr. Kano wanted to make Judo a part of the Japanese national culture, and available to the average person, while avoiding the scrutiny of the ruling powers in Japan and opposing jujutsu schools. Dr. Kano attempted to modify training to reduce injury to the practitionoer, however, I consider Judo to be a viable representation of the Martial Art or path of harmony, discipline, and devotion to life and education. It is often presented as a sport first, but is foremost a method of self-defense, self-improvement, and self-enlightenment.

You WILL get a headache. All it takes is one false Osoto-Gari and boom you'll be looking for asprin. =)