Hey there, if you're new to the blog - my name is Ed and I'm a digital nomad. I'm staying in Tokyo for a month, and something I've always dreamed of doing was training at the Kodokan - the birthplace and headquarters of Judo.
I've done other martial arts, such as Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, but never Judo. So I wasn't sure if I could join the Kodokan.
Well, I am now enrolled in their course for adult beginners, but the information about that isn't widespread. So here's what I know.
Kodokan "general training" vs "judo school"
Normally, people who train at the Kodokan are experienced black belts.
This is because in Japan, training sessions are usually just randori (sparring). There is no guided warmup, technique drills or conditioning. You do that stuff on your own.
So it's more what I would call an 'open mat'. You arrive whenever you want, and leave whenever you want. It's usually held in the iconic main dojo (7th floor), which you would have seen in competition videos.
Spectators can watch the general training from the seating on the 8th floor. Anyone can walk in, it's totally free. Just take the elevator right up to the 8th floor.
Anyway, as a judo beginner, the general training was not an option for me. I need an actual class with instructions.
So if you've never done Judo before but you want to experience training at the Kodokan, then the only option is their 'Judo School'.
What is Kodokan's "Judo School"?
The judo school is a program designed to take adults from absolute beginner to black belt over the course of at least one year.
It's not for tourists. The split is about 50/50 local Japanese and foreigners who are living in Japan long-term. There aren't many short-term visitors like me.
Classes are taught in Japanese. Only some of the senseis speak English, but you won't have them all the time. I believe the senseis rotate through the various classes every day (kids, adults, general training). You will have a different sensei every day.
Black belt in a year?
Theoretically, yes, if you train 6 days per week with no sickness or injury. Realistically, it might take between 1-2 years.
This is still much faster than in Western countries, because of the different attitude towards the black belt. In Japan, a black belt just means you've learned the syllabus. It doesn't mean you are a high-level judoka.
The judo school is aiming to teach you just the syllabus ASAP. So that you can get a black belt and join the general training. There isn't a lot of randori (sparring), in fact you will not do any randori at all for the first 3 months of training.
Program structure
Classes are run 6 days per week, from 6pm to 7.30pm.
You are required to train at least 3 days per week. This is the bare minimum if you want to complete the program. They take attendance at the start of each class.
You will be split into 3 groups:
- First month
- 2nd and 3rd month
- 3+ months
Classes actually have a scheme of progression, so you can't just join halfway through the month. You need to join in the first 10 days of any month.
- Futsu-ka - Basic training.
- Tokushu-ka - Specialised training.
Training short-term
I was only staying in Tokyo for a month, so I emailed the kodokan international department (intl@kodokan.org) to ask if I could join.
Their answer was a bit vague, they said the program is a year minimum, but it's possible. I would need to observe a class and interview with their head coach first (Makishi Sensei).
Note that when Japanese say observe a class, you're expected to stay and watch the entire 90-minute class. Don't get impatient. The sensei will speak to you at the end. This is so that you know what you're signing up for.
The 'interview' was very simple. He just asked one question - "Why do you want to do Judo?".
I explained that I had done other martial arts but was always fascinated by Judo because of how technical it was, and that I also like the non-violent philosophy - a way of fighting without striking. He seemed satisfied with my answer and said I could join.
What about kyu grades?
If you're a coloured belt in your home country, just tell the senseis and they will decide where to put you. They will likely start you off in the 2nd/3rd month group, but they might put you into tokusho-ka if you are a brown belt.
The Kodokan doesn't do coloured belts for adults by the way. You're a white belt until you get your black belt.
So what are classes like?
The first two classes were about how to do a proper standing bow, kneeling bow, how to walk correctly, and a bit of ukemi (breakfalling).
If you're joining for just a month like me, you need to be patient. Don't expect to learn a lot of Judo in just one month. The Japanese take things slowly and teach with incredible detail.
This is what is so good about training at the Kodokan - you will learn lots of details that are missed or ignored by western Judo schools. This is the most traditional place to learn Judo. You will learn a bit about Japanese ettiquette, and you will spend a lot of time with old and wise Japanese senseis with whom you can practice Japanese language (you will have to).
In other words, it's not just about learning Judo, it's also a cultural experience. So I'm very happy to learn things like how to bow or kneel correctly. All these teachings apply to other traditional activities tourists do, such as tea ceremony - they will teach you to bow and kneel in the same way. I'm a Judo tourist!
I think skills are the best souvenirs. They provide so much more value than a fridge magnet. They can be passed on to others. So take a cooking class, try a craft, learn a skill in every country you visit.
To be continued...
It's only my first week right now. I will share the rest of what I learned when the month is over.
Discussion