- All About Judo Geoff Gleeson, EP Publishing Ltd.,
1975
- Author is the former national coach for the British Judo Association.
This paperback includes information on randori, shiai and kata. While
it has only one photo of each technique it has a lot of text explaining
theories, coaching, fitness, his own katas and other Judo-related topics.
- Armlocks Neil Adams, Ippon Books, Ltd., 1989
- This book is a study of various armlocks by the world champion who
popularized their use in modern competitive Judo. Very useful for learning
how to actually apply the armlocks to resisting opponents. Highly recommended.
Available
here.
- Ashiwaza Nobuyuki Sato, Ippon Books, Ltd.
- All of the books in the Judo Masterclass Series are excellent specialized
technical manuals for advanced students and this is no exception. This
book is a study of de-ashi-barai, okuri-ashi-barai, harai-tsurikomi-ashi,
and sasae-tsurikomi-ashi by two time world champion Sato. Available
here.
- Ashiwaza II Michael Swain/Oon Oon Yeoh, Ippon Books,
Ltd., 1994
- One of the Judo Masterclass Series. The world champion author covers
in detail all the variations of the foot techniques ouchi gari, kouchi
gari, kosoto gari, and hiza guruma. Available
here.
- Attacking Judo Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki/Hidetoshi Nakanishi,
Ippon Books, Ltd, 1995
- This is a useful compendium of counters, combination techniques, and
matwork. Relying on good drawings to show important movements and body
placement in place of lengthy text descriptions, this book is an excellent
reference for students to refer to for training ideas. Available
here.
- Best Judo Isao Inokuma/Nobuyuki Sato, Kodansha International
Ltd, 1979
- Fundamentals of throwing techniques, grappling techniques, combination
techniques, and training. Very comprehensive. Available
here.
- Black Belt Judo Neil Ohlenkamp,
New Holland Publishers, 2006
- A basic handbook of Judo. Great for any Judo student since it includes every Kodokan throwing technique, and nearly every technique on the mat.
Available here.
- Canon of Judo K. Mifune, Seibundo Shinkosha Publishing,
1956
- This master of Judo presents a comprehensive manual full of pictures
and descriptions of all Judo techniques, including many not found
in other books. It includes an extensive section on counters, and
about 20 pages on the meaning of Judo. Unfortunately the English translation
is very difficult to understand and the book is now out of print and
hard to find. Here's an excerpt. It was reprinted
in 2004 with a new English translation which makes it an excellent
book. Available here.
- A Complete Guide to Judo Robert W. Smith, Charles
E. Tuttle Company, 1958
- This is a very fine compilation of articles about Judo, jujutsu, karate,
and aikido including history, theory and practice.
- The Father of Judo: A Biography of Jigoro Kano Brian
Watson, Kodansha International, 2000
- An excellent and easily readable account of the life of Jigoro Kano
and the development of Judo. Available
here.
- Grips Neil Adams, Ippon Books, Ltd., 1992
- One of the Judo Masterclass Series. The world champion author covers
in detail all the variations of gripping. Highly recommended. Available
here.
- Harai Goshi Jean-Luc Rouge , Ippon Books, Ltd.
- One of the Judo Masterclass Series. An excellent book dedicated to
the technique harai goshi, it explores grips, variations, entries, combinations,
and self-defence application, by a world champion judoka. Available
here.
- How to be a Black Belt in the Art of Life Jack/Beverly
Gustafson, Zanshin Productions, 1995
- Not just a Judo book, this is a collection of quotes from martial
arts students and teachers about the life lessons they have learned.
See page 103 for my contribution.
- Jiu Jitsu Complete Kiyose Nakae, Carol Publishing
Group, 1958
- Basic jiu jitsu self-defense book with plenty of illustrations.
- Judo (Appendix: Aikido) Kenji Tomiki, Japan Travel
Bureau, 1956
- This is a basic and clear reference on Judo. The author at the time
was a 7th dan in Judo and an 8th dan in Aikido. It includes an extensive
appendix on Aikido based on the fundamental principles of Judo. This
was the first English text on Aikido. An excerpt.
- Judo: 41 Lessons in the Modern Science of Jiu-Jitsu
Kuwashima/Welch, Prentice-Hall, 1938
- Selected techniques which can be mastered by the average person with
a small expenditure of strength and without previous training.
- Judo: A Pictorial Manual Pat Harrington, Charles
E. Tuttle Company, 1987
- A good manual which includes photos of more techniques than any other
book (the entire go kyo, the katas, etc). A very complete reference available here.
- Judo Boy John Ball, Jr., Duell, Sloan and Pearce,
1964
- An adventure story for juveniles based on Judo in Los Angeles during
the early 1960's.
- Judo Combination Techniques
Teizo Kawamura, W. Foulsham and Co. Ltd., 1958
- This book covers both combination and counter techniques for the mat
and standing. The only book of its kind by a Kodokan 7th dan.
- Judo, The Essential Guide to Mastering the Art Alex
Butcher, The Lyons Press, 2001
- A basic beginner's book introducing judo with a little of everything. Available here.
- Judo, Formal Techniques Tadao Otaki/Donn Draeger,
Charles Tuttle and Co., 1983
- The best book there is on the randori-no-kata. The most complete reference
for anyone studying nage-no-kata and katame-no-kata with lots of information
about kata in general. Available here.
- Judo, Heart and Soul Hayward Nishioka, Ohara Publications,
Inc., 2000
- This book covers the preparation, strategies and technical aspects
of Judo competition, especially for elite athletes. More information here.
- Judo in Action Kazuzo Kudo, Japan Publications Trading
Co., 1967
- This book is now out of print. It is a 2 volume set, one for grappling
techniques and one for throwing techniques. Each technique includes
several excellent photos and a detailed explanation of key points, escapes,
counters, and possible combinations. Very good resource for the beginner
or advanced student.
- Judo Inside Out Geoff Gleeson, Lepus Books, 1983
- A thorough analysis of competition skills integrated with a cultural
reconciliation.
- Judo, Through the Looking Glass Jerry Hicks, Redcliffe
Press, Ltd., 1994
- An interesting collection of stories and illustrations about various
experiences in British Judo. The subtitle is "Tales of Now and Zen". Available
here.
- Judo Training Methods Takahiko Ishikawa/Donn F. Draeger,
Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1961
- A complete guide to Judo training exercises in theory and practice.
More information.
- Judo Unleashed Neil Ohlenkamp,
McGraw-Hill, 2006
- A basic handbook of Judo. Great for any Judo student since it includes every Kodokan throwing technique, and nearly every technique on the mat.
Available here.
- Kata of Kodokan Judo Revised Sumiyuki Kotani/Yoshimi Osawa/Yuichi Hirose, Koyano Bussan Kaisha, Ltd., 1968
- A reference and instruction book on all the kata of Kodokan Judo.
- Know the Game, Judo Geoff Gleeson (photos by Bob
Willingham), A&C Black, Ltd., 1995
- A small introductory book on the sport of Judo.
- Kodokan Judo Jigoro Kano, Kodansha International
1986 (paperback edition 1994)
- This is the definitive source of information about Judo. The paperback
edition is affordable, complete and available here.
- Kodokan New Japanese-English Dictionary of Judo Teizo
Kawamura and Toshiro Daigo, Kodokan 2001
- A dictionary of Japanese terms used in Judo.
- Martial Arts Reader Randy F. Nelson, The Overlook
Press, 1989
- This is a wonderful compilation of classic writings on the philosophy
and techniques of traditional martial arts. It includes "The
Contribution of Judo to Education" by Jigoro Kano. Available
here.
- Manual of Judo E.J. Harrison, Sterling Publishing
Co, 1952
- A wonderful book full of colorful language and simple line drawings
on every aspect of Judo by a student of Kyuzo Mifune. The cover is right,
"The classic book on the art of unarmed combat by the man who introduced
Judo to the West"
- Mechanics of Judo Robert G. Blanchard, Charles E.
Tuttle Company, 1961
- Analytical studies of 15 selected standing techniques.
- Modern Judo Peter Seisenbacher/George Kerr, The Crowood
Press, 1991
- A very well done analysis of modern competitive Judo, including training
tips, balanced with thoughts about traditional Judo.
- My Championship Judo Anton Geesink, Arco Publishing
Co., 1966
- This world champion shows his special techniques, including his favorite
sankaku waza.
- My Method of Judo M. Kawaishi, W. Foulsham & Co., 1955
- The Technical Director of the french Judo Federation shows his special techniques.
- Osotogari Yasuhiro Yamashita, Ippon Books, Ltd.
- One of the Judo Masterclass Series. In teaching this technique, World
and Olympic champion Yamashita emphasizes the importance of good style,
while acknowledging the special demands of competition. Available
here.
- Pick-ups Robert van de Walle, Ippon Books, Ltd.,
1993
- One of the Judo Masterclass Series. The author, a 1980 Olympic champion,
covers the techniques morote-gari, sukui-nage, ura-nage and kata-guruma,
and a number of miscellaneous pick ups including obi-tori-ashi-dori,
mawari-ashi-dori and hikoki-nage. Essential study guide for anyone involved
in modern competition. Available here.
- Secrets of Combat Jujutsu and Secrets of Advanced Combat Jujutsu
by D'Arcy Rahming
- The first book is 192 pages and the second is 240 pages. Each is full of combat theory and
techniques illustrated with clear line drawings and a few photos. Methods of defense are shown for nearly every type of
attack, including weapons and multiple attackers, covering the techniques required up to first degree brown belt.
The manuals are part of the Miyama Ryu system (founded in 1960) which is
based on traditional Japanese jujutsu, aikido, and judo. Available here.
- Seoinage Hidetoshi Nakanishi, Ippon Books, Ltd.
- One of the Judo Masterclass Series. The author, along with two time
world champion Yoshiharu Minami, demostrates the throws ippon-seoi-nage
and morote-seoi-nage. Available
here.
- Shimewaza Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki, Ippon Books, Ltd.,
1992
- One of the Judo Masterclass Series. This volume is a comprehensive
study of chokes and strangles. The author, a world champion, includes
a special section on sankaku-jime, the triangular leg strangle. Available
here.
- The Sport of Judo Kiyoshi Kobayashi/Harold Sharp,
Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1956
- An inexpensive paperback with excellent photos and descriptions of
all the basic techniques. I recommend it for all my students as a basic
handbook. Available here.
- The Sport Science of Elite Judo Athletes Wayland
J. Pulkinnen, Pulkinetics Inc, 2001
- This book is an in-depth exploration of sport science as it relates
to Judo athletic performance. It is divided into four parts covering
the physiological composition of elite Judo athletes, concerns related
to rapid weight loss and overtraining, psycho-behavioral factors in
Judo performance, and planning of the training session and training
year. It is essential reading for the modern Judo coach, and an excellent
source of important scientific information for any athlete who is serious
about improving training and competition performance. Available
here.
- The Techniques of Judo Shinzo Takagaki/Harold Sharp,
Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1957
- An inexpensive paperback with excellent photos and descriptions of
all the basic techniques. A little more advanced and detailed than The
Sport of Judo, also by Harold Sharp.
- Textbook of Judo Nagayasu Ogasawara, Kokushi Dojo
Inc., 1988
- An fine hardcover book with excellent photos and descriptions of all
the basic techniques plus combinations, counters and multiple variations.
Recommended as a comprehensive handbook. Available
here.
- Tomoenage Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki, Ippon Books, Ltd.
- One of the Judo Masterclass Series. This volume is a comprehensive
study of tomoenage in every variation. Available
here.
- Three Budo Masters John Stevens, Kodansha International
- A very good review of the lives of the founders of Judo (Jigoro Kano),
aikido (Morihei Ueshiba), and karate (Gichin Funakoshi). Available here.
- Uchimata Hitoshi Sugai, Ippon Books, Ltd., 1991
- One of the Judo Masterclass Series. The author, a two time world champion,
considers old and new forms of uchimata, as well as essential combinations,
defenses and counters. Available
here.
- Zen Judo, A Way of Life Brian Bagot, Blandford Press,
1994
- This paperback explains all of the techniques and promotion requirements
for this style of Judo with a small number of photos and drawings. It
explains that the techniques are sometimes different from Kodokan Judo
techniques, and competition is deemphasized. Available
here.
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