Judo Means the Gentle Way
Judo is a Japanese martial art. Its name describes a principle of using an opponent's force.
Judo is a Japanese martial art based on throws and grappling. The name means the gentle way, from *ju*, gentle or yielding, and *do*, a way or path. The principle is literal: rather than meeting force with force, a judoka uses an opponent's own momentum to unbalance them, so a smaller person can throw a larger one. Jigoro Kano founded it in 1882 by refining jujutsu, and it became an Olympic sport in 1964.
- A Japanese martial art. *Practising judo.*
- The gentle way. *Ju and do.*
- Judoka — a practitioner. *A judoka.*
- Founded 1882. *By Jigoro Kano.*
- Japanese — *judo*. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | judo | Judo. |
| Practitioner | judoka | A judoka. |
| Related | jujutsu | Jujutsu. |
| Japanese | ju | Gentle. |
| Japanese | do | A way. |
- She has trained in judo for years.Sport.
- The name means the gentle way.Etymology.
- Kano founded it in 1882.History.
The -do suffix in Japanese arts
- Judo — the gentle way
- Aikido — the way of harmonising energy
- Kendo — the way of the sword
- Shodo — the way of writing, calligraphy
- Chado — the way of tea
Japanese *judo*, from *ju*, gentle or yielding, and *do*, a way or path.
What does judo mean?
The gentle way. The principle is to yield to an opponent's force and redirect it rather than meeting it head on.
Who founded judo?
Jigoro Kano, in 1882, by refining older jujutsu techniques into a system for teaching and competition.