Judo is an intricate set of physical, moral and intellectual principles. For some people it is a sport, for some it is a method of self-defense and for others it is an art or a way of life. Kano wanted his system to encompass all of these things, and Judo’s basic principles reflect his desire to establish an art that stressed physical and mental development.
Maximum Efficiency
To successfully merge the two Jujitsu traditions Kano had studied, he needed a unifying principle, which he found in the idea of Seiryoku Zenyo, or “maximum efficiency.” Physical strength alone was not adequate, Kano believed, and techniques that depended solely on force should be discarded. Instead, one should use the least amount of force to achieve the greatest results. It was more efficient to use an opponent’s own energy against him, an idea reflected in Judo’s emphasis on responding to an opponent’s action rather than instigating the action.
Mutual Benefit
Kano wanted his system to promote an ethical and humanitarian approach to life, so he established Judo’s second guiding principle: mutual benefit and prosperity. Kano believed that progress should not and could not be achieved at the expense of others. The key to improving human life was mutual prosperity, Kano taught, not selfish gain. Through Judo practice, Kano believed, one could realize that true human progress could only be obtained through the benefit of all.
Sen
According to Judo principles, victory requires superior mental, physical and technical skill. In Judo, the techniques that develop this skill are called sen, or initiative or lead. There are three stages of sen. The highest level, sen-sen-no-sen, or superior initiative, involves anticipating an opponent’s movement and intercepting his action. This is not easy to achieve; it requires stillness of mind, openness and flexibility. Only by clearing the mind and being receptive is it possible to tap into an opponent’s mindset, thus thwarting his actions. Though difficult, this level can be the most effective: It is easier to gain control of a situation before any action has taken place, rather than attempt to deflect it after the fact. Sen, or initiative, is more offensive, involving taking action against an opponent before he takes action against you. Ato-no-sen, initiative in defense, doesn’t require insight into an opponent’s frame of mind, as does sen-sen-no-sen. Instead, it involves watching for visual clues. By noticing changes in posture, for example, it is possible to strike before the opponent takes action and launch a counter-attack.