Judo is based on two core concepts:

Maximum Efficiency of Power

Mutual Benefit and Welfare

What I want to write about today is the “Mutual Benefit and Welfare” aspect of Judo, why it’s so true, and the brotherhood it tends to build.

I have done several martial arts over the years, Judo, Karate, Jiu Jitsu.  In most styles of martial arts, as you drill your moves it is pretty evident rather or not they are working.  In Karate, I can see if I am kicking hard, straights, and fast.  In Jiu Jitsu, I can see pretty clearly rather I choked you or arm barred you based on rather or not you tap.

In Judo however, you generally grab a partner, and do what are known as Uchikomis (oochee-k0meez.)  These are the beginning of the move, where you go just far enough to start to affect a person’s balance (Kazushi.)  The reason this is important is that you need to count on your partner (you Uke) for two important things:

1- To act normally.  If your Uke is unnaturally stiff, or just floppy, you will not get a real feel for how to do the move.

2- To give you feedback on what he/she is feeling.  Subtleties of their balance, and what is or is not breaking their Kazushi should be shared so you know where you are doing well or not.

In these ways, your Uke, even if they are more junior in the art than you, really are a partner in your learning process.  You have to be able to count on each other.  “Mutual Benefit and Welfare” isn’t just a neat concept, the art literally depends on it.

This partnership of the Uke and the Tori (the person attempting the move) builds a mutual respect and bond that is often not there in arts where everything is merely competitive.  This brotherhood of Judo is a unique and wonderful part of the art.

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