The Canon of Judo: Classic Teachings on Principles and Techniques (Hardcover)

~ Kyuzo Mifune (Author), Francoise White (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Canon of Judo provides a unique insight into judo's spirit and techniques and, with very few exceptions, the content remains as relevant today and when it was originally written, half a century ago." -Journal of Asian Martial Arts

Product Description

The Definitive Book by the "God of Judo"

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha International; 2nd edition (June 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770029799
• ISBN-13: 978-4770029799
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #98,659 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on Judo - period!, July 22, 2004

By	Plotinus - See all my reviews

I can't believe how incredibly good this book is! I am especially thrilled at all the joint-locking and choking manoevers, their entries, defenses, reversals and so on. The ground-grappling part of this book is huge, and contains so many things that I have never even thought of in my 16 years doing Judo! And, for those of you into using the so-called 'guard' position in grappling: there is a whole host of moves concerned with it: passings, chokes, armlocks etc. In addition, this book shows you how to use leg and ankle locks both to submit your opponent and to escape from chokes etc. The 'real fighting' comments Mifune makes are really interesting and fun. For example, I didn't know that the 'thrusting' choke was intended for use primarily against someone backed up against a wall; hadaka jime (arms-only strangle) is best adapted for use against a punch: sidestep and squish the neck. Mifune (the author) is the best Judo fighter in history, and we can see this in all the wisdom he has collected from his lifetime of beating people. Your fighting skill will definitely improve with each of the techniques he teaches, and your victories in Judo (or in any grappling system that allows joint locks and chokes) will increase steadily in number. THIS book is the best Judo book; nothing else really compares to it at all. It will open up whole new avenues to victory that you never would have thought of on your own. If you take your training seriously, you have to have it. Buy it!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Judo book ever !!!, November 12, 2005

By	John W. Baird III - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Canon of Judo is the bible of Judo by the man known as the "God of Judo" Kyuzo Mifune. Mifune started learning Judo under Founder Jigoro Kano when he was 13 and was one of only 6 persons ever promoted to 10th Dan at the Kodokan. Mifune not only goes through the Gokyu No Waza (the 40 Basic Judo Throws ) but also includes most of remaining 67 throws along with variations that make up the present Judo throwing syllabus. His section on defenses and counters of both the throws and the grappling is superb with many you won't see elsewhere. He even includes a Ura no Kata that he designed of 15 throws where if your opponent tries throw X; you counter with throw Y. The Canon of Judo is the definitive reference Judo book presently in print.

Be warned that some of the pictures are difficult to figure out due to the poor camera angles, the fact both Mifune and his Uke are wearing white gi's (only ones available back then) in small black and white photos, and some pictures are not in same order from page to page. Some of the technique text is difficult to understand possibly "lost in translation" (though not nearly as bad as the movie by the same name). In spite of it's short comings, it has an overwhelming abundance of information as most of the nearly 1000 photos are easily discernable by the even the novice and intermediate judoka. The more expert can mine the more esoteric photos and cryptic descriptions for the pure nuggets of gold and wealth plentiful in this comprehensive book. I like this book even better than Kodokan Judo by Founder Jigoro Kano (See my review) to which Mifune contributed to and is pictured in for some techniques.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tough to Rate Any Other Way, September 16, 2005

By	C. K. Mccracken "Jiu Jitsu Guy and One Time P... (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There really isn't anything to say that others haven't said already. I just wanted to weigh in with my perspective.

I've been studying Judo for a couple of years, now, after an eighteen year layoff from it. During this time, I've studied other forms of martial arts - especially wreslting and BJJ.

Judo has become a major part of my Jiu Jitsu and 'The Canon of Judo' takes pride of place in my library. Not just as a technical manual, but as a hearty slice of martial arts history.

Judo was one of the earliest "mixed" martial arts styles and Mifune was one of the earliest and truest masters. To read his descriptions and see his performance in the photos is somewhat inspiring.

Further, earlier texts give us a chance to see where the more modern systems come from. The Canon shows me the origin of my BJJ and helps me understand its roots.

The book doesn't have the luxuries of modern photography and the translations can lose something, but that's not really the point with books like this one.

A most important text.