2009, Volume 5

Kōdōkan Jūdō’s Elusive Tenth Kata: The Gō-no-kata ―“Forms of Proper Use of Force” – Part 3



Carl De Crée1, Llyr C Jones1

1International Association of Judo Researchers, Bath, United Kingdom


Full text

Abstract

Background and Study Aim: Kata (“Prearranged forms”) represent the grammar of Japanese jūdō. The Kōdōkan jūdō syllabus typically contains eight or nine kata. In recent years, Gō-no-kata (“Prearranged forms of correct use of force”), a generally considered obsolete and reclusive ‘tenth’ kata, has become the subject of some renewed interest within jūdō circles. Finding accu-rate information on the gō-no-kata or locating a skilled instructor of this exercise is very difficult. The purpose of the present paper is to provide a comprehensive study of this gō-no-kata which once formed a part of the standard jūdō curriculum. We aim to remove the confu-sion and mystery which surrounds the gō-no-kata.
Material and Methods: To achieve this, we offer a critical evaluation of the available literature and source material on this kata.
Results: Gō-no-kata is the oldest kata of Kōdōkan, probably predating the two 1885 randori-no-kata. Gō-no-kata consists of ten forms, which depict a relatively primitive jūdō, still practiced in defensive jigotai position. Its aim was to serve both as an intense fitness exercise as well as illu-strating the basic principle of conquering force with giving way. Despite being popularly thought of as defunct, the gō-no-kata survives today ―having initially been preserved in Tōkyō by a small group of senior jūdōka, and now also by a handful of experts abroad.
Conclusions: The preservation of gō-no-kata, a 10-technique prearranged form that teaches principles of optimal use of force, is primarily due to the late Yoshiyuki Kuhara-sensei and his nephew Toshiyasu Ochiai-sensei.


Key words: go-no-kata, jigoro kano, jigotai, judo, kata, kodokan


Cite this article as:

AMA:

Crée C, Jones L. Kōdōkan Jūdō’s Elusive Tenth Kata: The Gō-no-kata ―“Forms of Proper Use of Force” – Part 3. ARCH BUDO. 2009;5

APA:

Crée, C.D., & Jones, L.C. (2009). Kōdōkan Jūdō’s Elusive Tenth Kata: The Gō-no-kata ―“Forms of Proper Use of Force” – Part 3. ARCH BUDO, 5

Chicago:

Crée, Carl De, Jones Llyr C. 2009. "Kōdōkan Jūdō’s Elusive Tenth Kata: The Gō-no-kata ―“Forms of Proper Use of Force” – Part 3". ARCH BUDO 5

Harvard:

Crée, C.D., and Jones, L.C. (2009). Kōdōkan Jūdō’s Elusive Tenth Kata: The Gō-no-kata ―“Forms of Proper Use of Force” – Part 3. ARCH BUDO, 5

MLA:

Crée, C.D., and Jones, L.C. "Kōdōkan Jūdō’s Elusive Tenth Kata: The Gō-no-kata ―“Forms of Proper Use of Force” – Part 3." ARCH BUDO, vol. 5, 2009

Vancouver:

Crée CD, Jones LC. Kōdōkan Jūdō’s Elusive Tenth Kata: The Gō-no-kata ―“Forms of Proper Use of Force” – Part 3. ARCH BUDO 2009; 5