TM

February 21, 2005  

Dear Traditional Kodokan Judo Colleagues,

On behalf of the USJJF Board of Directors and its Central Technical Committee, it is my pleasure to announce that the UNITED STATES JU-JITSU FEDERATION (USJJF) is launching its own National Program of Traditional Kodokan Judo. This is an Important Initiative that has been in development for several years.

Recognizing that Kodokan Judo has its roots in the Ancient Art of Ju-Jitsu - "The Parent Art" (and that Judo is a subset of Ju-Jitsu), the USJJF's intent is to focus on the Art of Kodokan Judo, not the Sport of Judo, which has become the primary focus of the Olympic Judo Organizations.

The USJJF will adhere as closely as possible to the Original Kodokan Judo Training Curriculum / Rank Requirements ( before "judo competition" became the primary focus of the IJF). We have many Senior USJJF Members that have trained in Kodokan Judo (some at the Kodokan) and hold dan grades from the Kodokan. Later this spring, we will post the Traditional Kodokan Judo Training Curriculum / Rank Requirements on the official USJJF websites, www.usa-tkj.org & www.usjjf.org.

As you probably know, there are many Judoka across the USA that have become very disenchanted with the primary focus now placed on "competition judo" by the Olympic Judo Organization and its member groups. In the USA, one of the reasons that Ju-Jitsu has grown so much is because of the "bad taste" many have about today's Olympic Judo. They have left judo behind and now focus more on ju-jitsu. Many believe that if it were not for Olympic Committee Funding, "Judo in America" would probably disappear. In the USJJF,” we believe that Traditional Kodokan Judo is an “International Treasure” that must be preserved for future generations.

It has become a clear fact of life (in the Olympic Judo Organizations) that "if you are not a judo competitor, or judo referee or tournament promoter or officer, with few exceptions - you simply do not get promoted beyond the judo rank of Sandan or Yondan, no matter how much skill, knowledge and years you have in Judo".

Thus with a focus on the Traditional Art of Kodokan Judo, the USJJF is now working with many American Judoka to develop & provide a SOLID ALTERNATIVE to "Sport Judo". Our efforts in USJJF are directed to the Traditional Skills, Knowledge, Historical Values, Leadership and Character Development found in the "Original" Kodokan Judo. USJJF will not be conducting any judo competition; instead, we will focus on conducting training events & symposiums to teach the Waza & Kata of Judo.

As a reference, here's a related essay on this topic that I wrote a few years ago: http://www.usjujitsu.net/articles/kodokan.htm

Below are the Members of the USJJF Kodokan Judo Technical Committee:

Committee Members:

1. Joseph F. Connolly, II
2. Toshiaki Takikawa
3. Jim Harrison
4. T.R. McClanahan
5. Gene LeBell
6. George E. Anderson
7. Bruce R. Bethers
8. Billy L. Sharp
9. Ernest G. McPeek
10. Benjamin A. DeLeon
11. Patrick M. Hickey

More Information coming!

Best Personal Regards,

Lt.Col. Bruce R. Bethers (US ARMY Ret.)
President, USJJF
www.usa-tkj.org & www.usjjf.org