How Kodokan Goshin-jutsu Brings Judo Principles to Modern Defence

Kodokan Goshin-jutsu is a judo kata developed to study personal defence through the principles of awareness, control and efficient response. Established in January 1956, it expanded the scope of traditional kata to address situations seen as more relevant to modern life.

Its creation also underlines an important part of judo’s identity: judo is not frozen in time. Jigoro Kano Shihan died in 1938, eighteen years before Kodokan Goshin-jutsu was developed, yet the kata remained faithful to the educational principles he established while adapting its study to changing circumstances.

Kodokan Goshin-jutsu contains 21 standing techniques divided into two sections. Toshu-no-bu is the unarmed section, covering holds such as Ryote-dori, hidari-eri-dori, migi-eri-dori, kata-ude-dori, ushiro-eri-dori, ushiro-jime and kakae-dori. It also includes attacks from distance: Naname-uchi, ago-tsuki, ganmen-tsuki, mae-geri and yoko-geri.

Buki-no-bu focuses on responses to weapons. The kata includes Tsukkake, choku-tsuki and naname-tsuki against a dagger; Furi-age, furi-oroshi and morote-tsuki against a staff; and Shomen-zuke, koshi-gamae and haimen-zuke against a pistol.

Kodokan Goshin-jutsu studies response, but places restraint and responsibility at its centre.

The kata is not a mechanical guide to confrontation outside the dojo. Instead, it is performed within a codified and respectful practice, where tori and uke work through defined attacks and responses. The aim is to develop judgement as much as technique.

Tori must recognise distance, timing, direction and uke’s intention before acting. That requires calmness and accuracy, especially when the attack involves a weapon. The ideal response is based on maximum efficiency while reducing risk as far as possible.

Compared with Kime-no-kata, Kodokan Goshin-jutsu takes a more contemporary approach to the types of attacks being studied. The inclusion of the stick and pistol broadens the range of scenarios, while the traditional tori-and-uke relationship and demand for precision remain unchanged.

Like other kata, its value reaches beyond competition judo. It uses movement, imbalance, throws, joint controls, strikes and evasions to explore observation, prevention and decision-making. Kodokan Goshin-jutsu shows how judo principles can remain connected to the present without abandoning their roots.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation