Mind Over Muscle: Part 1 – Maximum Efficiency

Modern Judo is strongly tied to Olympic Judo and competitive sport Judo generally. That isn’t the thrust of the early writings of Judo’s founder.

Professor Jigoro Kano founded Kodokan Judo in 1882 and spent the remainder of his life, practicing it, thinking about it, and promoting it.

"Mind Over Muscle" is a collection of Jigoro Kano’s writings on the founding of Judo, the philosophical and social underpinnings of Judo, and the virtues developed through the practice of Judo. The collection was complied and edited by Naoki Murata and translated from the original Japanese by Nancy H Ross.

Professor Kano’s first principle of Judo, as described in “Mind Over Muscle”, is Maximum Efficiency.

In order to achieve any goal a person must use his mental and physical energy in the most effective manner possible so energy is not wasted and so the maximum possible power is applied toward the goal. This is the meaning of Maximum Efficiency.

The original Japanese term for this first principle is “seiryoku saizen katsuyo” and translates to “best use of one’s energy”. The original term was shortened to “Maximum Efficiency” which is commonly used within the Judo community.

As applied to martial arts and self-defense, maximum efficiency implies using the technique that is most effective in achieving your goal of self-defense under the circumstances at the time. If the most effective thing you can do is punch then punch – if throw then throw – if running away then run away.

Maximum efficiency implies designing techniques to use your energy in the most effective way so as to achieve the specific goal of the technique. Professor Kano used this criterion in selecting and modifying the techniques he included in the Kodokan Judo.

Maximum efficiency also implies using the most effective training methods when developing the appropriate skills in Judo practitioners (Judoka). Professor Kano believed the best way to develop Judo skills was to practice them extensively and frequently with a live opponent and fellow Judoka.

For this reason Judo techniques were selected and modified to allow safe full speed practice. This is also the reason “randori” – free practice Judo sparring – has always been a major element of training sessions in Judo dojos (training halls) around the world.

The first principle of Judo is “maximum efficiency” – using your mental and physical energy in the most effective way in order to achieve your objective.

Link to the Special Report: Mind Over Muscle - Jigoro Kano's Judo