Customer Reviews

Best Judo (Illustrated Japanese Classics)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I trained for several years, and spent most of them on a plateau. This book helped me smash through that glass ceiling (or whatever it was) that held me back. Now, I am flawlessly executing complex moves I never thought I would be able to use. What I got from this book was one flash of insight after another. My only regret is the time I wasted BEFORE I latched onto Inokuma's powerful words. I am forever indebted to the author. My son is showing an interest in Judo. This will be his text.

This book is very well done. The photographs are high quality action photos done by some great judoka. What distinguishes this book from some other books are 1) great action photos, and 2) practical application of the techniques. It goes through some of the finer points of setting up your opponent for the technique with fakes and off-balancing maneuvers. Overall one of two books I would recommend to every aspiring Judoka (with the other being Kodokan Judo).

When I wanted to be a Judoist two years ago, I was very impressed by the skills and and technique exhibited by the Judoists of my school. I badly wanted to be a good Judoist as I wanted to make my mark in the club. But the road ahead for me was very hard and frustrating. You see, having little or no experience whatsoever in the field or Judo or any martial art, I compared myself as weak and small with my seniors and the instructors in my club. Many times I wanted to give up, to quit Judo, saying that the sport was not suited for me, but deep down I knew that it was, and so I stayed on, trying very hard to perfect the techniques taught to me. I knew that if I trained hard, I would at last find the light at the end of my tunnel. To me, this light was the book, Best judo. I did not stumble on to it or find it by luck, I was searching for the BEST Judo instruction manual ever written and to day I still believe that the book entitled Best Judo was what I Had been searching for. This book to me was a godsend. It gave clear instruction in technique and skill. After being taught a new technique in Judo class, I would refer to Best Judo afterwards to refresh my memory on the throw and read up on the pointers and the things to look out for when making the throw. Night after night I studied the instruction manual and slowly but surely with practise I was improving, and boy was I improving! This year I was selected in the school Judo team and this was the bigest reward Best Judo hs ever given. To fight for the glory of my school in the arena of sports was indead a dream come true. Without Best Judo none of would have ever happened, and I am very grateful. So, if you are an avid Judoist or just a person learning Judo to keep fit, I urge you to buy the book. This will be the most rewarding investment "Judo-wise" you will ever make

This book is ideal for the judoka regardless of his/her experience. The book focuses on showing the techniques with action photos rather than on long passages of text that would bore the reader. It also contains a handy section on physical conditioning for the judoka which is essential for maximizing progress in a very physically demanding sport. The essays, at the back of the book, about the authors and Yamashita's experiences in judo are most inspirational.

BEST JUDO (c.1979, hardcover) began with the useful emphasis of the basics in the first chapter. Chapter one also contained the author's explanation that "Judo practice takes the form of a fight, but no matter how fierce the practice may be, it's object is to improve your technique and train your spirit." Unlike their Western counterparts, the Japanese Judo coaches have not lost sight of this very important aspect of Judo.

Then the basics are proceeded in the following chapters by what can only be described as photographic evidence of the ferocity and perfection of applied nage waza and katame waza as only the Japanese champions can impart. Clear and precise black & white photographs demonstrate Tawara Gaeshi (rice bag reversal)p.77; Obitori Gaeshi (belt grab reversal)p.80; and an excellent 1979 photographic portrayal of the Tobi Juji-Gatame (flying juji-gatame)pgs. 144-145. One need only to look at the faces of these champions, which resemble the battered mugs of professional boxers, to realize the intensity and spirit with which the Japanese practice their Judo. Such motivation surely transcends material acquirement.

BEST JUDO is important for its collection of the proven techniques of classical Japanese Judo that have actually brought the authors to the forefront of world competition. It is a collection of the practical tournament technique of the Gokyo No Waza which the Japanese use today to outclass the desperate Western reliance on koka or penalty win (or Golden Score) Judo for their individualistic victories.

In the conclusion of BEST JUDO, after dozens of photographs documenting dynamic technique, one of the authors, Mr. Isao Inokuma,on page 236, made the important summation that: "Judo is not only a sport to be engaged in only [sic] at the dojo". It's internal message and acquired spirit has application on the workfront, homefront, and daily life - and this is the real genius of Dr. Jigoro Kano's Judo. Sadly, at age 63, Isao Inokuma sensei committed suicide in September of 2001! I gave this tremendous book only four stars because as a dramatic presentation of Judo, it is second only to VITAL JUDO by Isao Okano.

Top Japanese competitors and coaches took some of the most effective competition techniques and displayed them in details with some great tips.

For example, in the book when speaking about the Harai Goshi (sweeping hip) they advise you to know that Harai Goshi is hard to execute since you need to get extremly good body contact in order to execute a throw. Guess what - when I kept that in mind in worked for me. When not - "I saw the lights on the ceiling".

I like the section on ground techniques and combination techniques. I learned some nice escapes chokes this book.
I usually take one technique, and study it in detail step by step. This book is perfect for that.

Finally, there is nice fitness section, and great essays by he authors on fighting and winning in Judo.

This book benefits Judokas, BJJ practitioners and other martial artists who may need to learn grappling and throws.

Best Judo is a well rounded manual that covers all major aspects of Judo. Very easy to follow photographs of core Tachi-waza, however very spartan by way of explainations. Still the photo's bring the techniques to life even for beginners. The section on fakes and counters is definately for advanced players who already have some knowledge of these competition moves yet need a reference point to look back to. Very little to zero explanation of moves yet pictures are obviously geared to advanced practioners. Still they are excellent reference. The section on ne-waza was very interesting. It showed many of the popular pins, chokes and armlocks(including the flying armbar!), but again very little in way of explaination. The photos again are very good. I must point out that to a untrained eye the photos might mean nothing. Many of the newaza techniques shown are for sure advanced techniques.I urge you to go to a trained instructor before you start locking out your friends arms. Another interesting thing I might point out in light of the recent popularity of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Many of the so called Brazilian techniques that are so ground breaking are in this manual which goes to show that these techniques are not new to Judoka. It does show that we as Judoka may be seriously lacking the required ground skills to be well rounded players. Finally a small section on weight training and brief look at the competitive careers of the authors. Overall one of the better Judo books I have seen. I personally keepp a copy in my Dojo bag just for reference. Must buy for any Judoka.

This is probably the best Judo book on the market. Full of dynamic technique and loaded with good descriptions. This book breaks down all of the major throws of judo while also exploring judo's mat work. Having "Newaza" Sato on board really made this subject matter stand out tremendously. This book also contains a great section on combinations, and physical training. Any person who grapples with a gi should own this book.
My only complaint is that the judoka demonstrating the techniques are both wearing white gis this can sometimes make it hard to distinguish what is going on unless you already have a practiced eye for the material. It is a small complaint to be sure.

This is a generally good reference. It's better in *some* ways than the extremely good "Judo in Action" pair of books.

Shortcomings are:
- that it does not go into detail on as wide a range of moves as I'd like to see.
- For groundwork, it doesn't show escapes.

Otherwise, it's really solid.

this book is a definate must have for any judo enthusiast. the book is very well illustrated, and covers throws extremely well, it covers groundwork too, just not quite so in depth. it is the best book that I've seen on nagewaza (judo throws).