This is a comprehensive listing of books (alphabetical by title) on the art of Kodokan Judo. It includes all the books I could identify, available in the English language, on Judo. An “*” next to the name of the book indicates that, to the best of my knowledge, the book is out of print. –Michael J. D’Auben.

ALL ABOUT JUDO

  • Geof Gleeson, 7th dan
  • EP Publishing Ltd, ISBN 0-7158-0590-8
  • A comprehensive manual of modern Judo training techniques for competition, which also stresses the importance of kata, along with randori and shiai.

ARMLOCKS: JUDO MASTERCLASS TECHNIQUES

  • Neil Adams
  • Ippon Books, ISBN 0-95718455-2-7
  • A definitive volume on kansetsu waza, written by a former British champion who won his 1981 world title with an armlock.

ASHIWAZA: JUDO MASTERCLASS TECHNIQUES

  • Nobuyuki Sato
  • Ippon Books, ISBN 0-951-8455-5-1
  • 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.

ASHIWAZA II: JUDO MASTERCLASS TECHNIQUES

  • Michael Swain & Oon Oon Yeoh
  • Ippon Books, ISBN I-874572-65-8
  • This book is a study of o-uchi-gari, ko-uchi-gari, ko-soto-gari and hiza-guruma by American world champion Swain.

A TO Z OF JUDO

  • Syd Hoare (7th dan)
  • Ippon Books
  • A comprehensive survey of traditional Judo techniques, over 100 throws, 20 holds, 30 armlocks, and 40 strangles (including 20 techniques now illegal under IJF rules).

ATTACKING JUDO

  • Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki and Hidetoshi Nakanishi
  • Ippon Books, ISBN 0951945-0-4
  • This book covers the main throws and ground work techniques of Kodokan Judo, in the context of combinations and counters, using simple line drawings.

BEST JUDO

  • Isao Inokuma & Nobuyuki Sato
  • Kodansha Int’l, ISBN 0-87011-786-6
  • A better than average “catalog” book of techniques, which includes descriptions of many throws not commonly seen.

BLACK BELT JUDO*

  • George R. Parulski Jr, 5th dan
  • Contemporary Books, Inc, ISBN 0-8092-5326-7
  • An average intermediate level manual of training and techniques for Judo kata as well as “classical” and self-defense techniques.

BRUCE TEGNER’S COMPLETE BOOK OF JUDO

  • Bruce Tegner
  • Thor Publishing Co., ISBN 0-87407-5214
  • A fair introductory book on Judo, the techniques in the book are only named in English, and lack the proper Japanese names.

CHAMPIONSHIP JUDO: TAI-OTOSHI AND O-UCHI-GARI ATTACKS

  • T.P. Legget, 8th dan & Kisaburo Watanabe, 7th dan
  • Ippon Books, ISBN: n/a
  • In this reprint of this classic work, the author uses the two throws of the title to teach the proper method of movements, applicable to all Judo throws.

THE COMPLETE BOOK OF JUDO*

  • George R. Parulski Jr, 4th dan
  • Contemporary Books, Inc, ISBN 0-8092-5450-6
  • An average beginning level manual of the philosophy, training and techniques of sports Judo.

COMPLETE KANO JUI-JITSU*

  • Irving H. Hancock & Katsukuma Higashi
  • Dover Publcations, ISBN 0-486-20639-4
  • Reprints of lectures Kano gave while in London including atemi-waza, Ten’shin-shin’yo-ryu Aikibujutsu and Kito-ryu Jujutsu.

THE COMPLETE SEVEN KATAS OF JUDO

  • M. Kanaishi, 7th dan & E.J. Harrison 4th dan
  • Overlook Press, ISBN 0-87951-156-7
  • A comprehensive manual covering Naga-, Katame-, Gonosen-, Kimi-, Itsutsu-,Ju- and Koshiki-no-kata

CONTEST JUDO

  • Roy Inman
  • Crowood UK, 1-85223-076-2

CONTEST JUDO: 10 DECISIVE THROWS

  • Saburo Matsushita, 8th dan & Warwick Stevens, 5th dan
  • Ippon Books
  • Another reprint, covering the use of 10 techniques by top Japanese Judo champions of the ’50s and ’60s.

CRITICAL JUDO

  • Des Marwood
  • A&C Black Ltd, ISBN 0-71637-3602-5
  • A good intermediate level “catalog” of sports judo techniques, with many combinations and counters.

THE DEMONSTRATION OF GENTLENESS (JU-NO-KATA)*

  • T.P. Legget, 6th dan and Jigiro Kano
  • W. Foulsham & Co.
  • An authoratative work on Ju-no-kata, including photographs of Kano-shihan himself performing the kata.

THE DEMONSTRATION OF HOLDS (KATAME-NO-KATA)*

  • T.P. Legget, 6th dan
  • W. Foulsham & Co.
  • An authoratative work on Katame-no-kata, the standard version, based on the “Japanese Convention on Kata” held in 1960.

THE DEMONSTRATION OF THROWS (NAGE-NO-KATA)*

  • T.P. Legget, 6th dan
  • W. Foulsham & Co.
  • An authoratative work on Naga-no-kata, the standard version, based on the “Japanese Convention on Kata” held in 1960

FIGHTING JUDO*

  • Kaysuhiko Kashiwazaki (w/photos by Terence Donovan)
  • Pelham Books, ISBN 0-7207-1594-6
  • An advanced level “catalog” of many common and unusual Judo techniques (esp. ne-waza), with some of the most beautiful Judo photos ever published.

THE FIGHTING SPIRIT OF JAPAN

  • E.J. Harrison, 3rd dan
  • Overlook Press, ISBN 0-87951-154-0
  • Although a text on the martial arts and way of life of Japan in general, the book includes much on the philosophy and early history of Kodokan Judo.

THE FIGHTING SPIRIT OF JUDO

  • Yasuhiro Yamashita
  • Ippon Books, ISBN 1874572-15-1
  • In this book the author, one of the greatest Judo champions in history, gives a unique insight into the physical and mental preparations behind his remarkable record.

GREAT JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS OF THE WORLD

  • Oon Oon Yeoh
  • Ippon Books, ISBN 1874572-20-8
  • The background and history of the major international competitons. Includes lists of medal winners, and the top personalities of each championship.

GRIPS: JUDO MASTERCLASS TECHNIQUES

  • Neil Adams w/Eddie Ferrie
  • Ippon Books, ISBN 0-951-8455-6-X
  • The author has used his experience to produce the first and only book devoted exlusively to the skill of kumi kata (gripping).

A GUIDE TO JUDO: THROWING TECHNIQUES*

  • Takumi Ohashi, 3rd dan
  • Nihon Kogyo Shimbun
  • A good intermediate level manual of Judo throws, along with “additional physiological explanations.”

THE HANDBOOK OF JUDO*

  • Gene LaBell & L.C. Coughran
  • Cornerstone Library
  • An intermediate level general textbook of sport judo techniques, also includes usefull information on “non-competitive” (illegal) neck and leg locks.

HARAI-GOSHI: JUDO MASTER CLASS TECHNIQUES

  • Jean-Luc Rouge
  • Ippon Books, ISBN 1-85223-597-7
  • An excellent book dedicated to the technique “harai-goshi”, it explores grips, variations, entries, combinations, and self-defence application, by a world champion judoka.

ILLUSTRATED KODOKAN JUDO*

  • Jigoro Kano (with the Kodokan editorial committee)
  • Kodansha International
  • A historically significant book, with photographs of Kano-shihan and many of the original 10th dans of the Kodokan performing the techniques.

JUDO

  • Donna Baily
  • Raintree-Steck, ISBN 0-8114-4714-6
  • A children’s level introductory manual on sport Judo.

JUDO

  • George Kerr
  • Watts Publishing, ISBN 0-531-18465-X
  • A children’s level introductory manual on sport Judo

JUDO*

  • Daeshik Kim, 6th dan
  • Wm. C. Brown Co., ISBN 0-697-07017-4
  • A basic introductory level manual of sports Judo written for a college level judo program.

JUDO IN ACTION: GRAPPLING TECHNIQUES*

  • Kazuzo Kudo, 9th dan
  • Japan Publication Trading Co, ISBN 0-87040-073-8
  • A classic advanced level manual of grappling techniques, including escapes and variations, by one of the highest ranking judoka in the world.

JUDO IN ACTION: THROWING TECHNIQUES*

  • Kazuzo Kudo, 9th dan
  • Japan Publication Trading Co, ISBN n/a
  • A classic advanced level manual of throwing techniques, including counters and variations, by one of the highest ranking judoka in the world.

JUDO: THE ART OF STRUGGLE

  • Joseph A. Uphoff Jr.
  • Arjuna Library Press, ISBN 0-943123-19-4

JUDO FORMAL TECHNIQUES: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE KODOKAN RANDORI-NO-KATA

  • Donn F. Draeger & Tadao Otaki
  • C.E. Tuttle Press, ISBN 0-8049-1676-X
  • An in-depth and authoritative manual of the two Kodokan Randori-no-kata; Nage-no-kata and Katame-no-kata.

JUDO, FROM BEGINNER TO BLACK BELT

  • Eric Dominy
  • Wehman Publishing, ISBN 0-685-21999-2
  • An average general introductory level manual of sport judo.

JUDO INSIDE OUT: A CULTURAL RECONCILIATION*

  • Geof Gleeson, 7th dan
  • Lepus Books, ISBN 0-86019-100-1
  • An advanced, in depth, discussion of the philosophy of training for competitive Judo, with comparisons of traditional and modern practices.

JUDO: A PICTORIAL MANUAL

  • Pat Harrington, 5th dan
  • C.E. Tuttle Co., ISBN 0-8048-1878-9
  • A comprehensive “catalog” of Judo techniques, as well as the kata, by the highest ranking non-Japanese female judoka in the world.

JUDO FOR WOMEN

  • Roy Inman & Nicolas Soames
  • Crestwood UK, ISBN 1-85223-040-1
  • A lengthy discussion on the subject of the sport of Judo for women, written by two men.

THE JUDOKA*

  • W. D. Norwood, 2nd kyu
  • Publisher n/a., ISBN n/a
  • Possibly the only fictional work on the subject of Judo in the English language. Story is interspersed with brief essays on the spirit of Judo.

KATA OF KODOKAN JUDO, REVISED*

  • S. Kotani, 9th dan; Y. Osawa, 7th dan; Y. Hirose, 7th dan
  • Koyano Bussan Kaisha, Ltd., ISBN n/a
  • A demonstration of the Kodokan kata (including “Renkoho” – arresting techniques), performed by the late Kotani Sensei.

KODOKAN JUDO

  • Jigoro Kano
  • Kodansha Int’l, ISBN 0-87011-681-9
  • Originally published as “Illustrated Kodokan Judo”, this revised edition includes additional material by Jigoro Kano, the founder of Kodokan Judo. This is the definitive source of information about Kodokan Judo. Paperback edition printed in 1994.

MANUAL OF JUDO

  • E.J. Harison, 4th dan
  • W. Foulsham Publishing, ISBN 0-572-01279-5
  • A general manual of Judo techniques, only unusual in the inclusion of a chapter on atemi-waza and other “illegal” techniques, for self-defense.

MANUAL OF THROWS FOR SPORTS JUDO & SELF DEFENSE

  • Fred Neff
  • Lerner Publishers, ISBN 0-8225-1155-X
  • A fair introductory level “catalog” type book of Judo throwing Techniques.

MODERN JUDO: TECHNIQUES OF EAST & WEST

  • Peter Seisenbacher & George Kerr
  • Crowood UK, ISBN 1-85223-570-5

NEWAZA OF JUDO*

  • Sumiyuki Kotani, 9th dan; Yoshimi Osawa, 8th dan; Yuichi Hirose, 7th dan
  • Koyano Bussan Kaisha, Ltd., ISBN n/a
  • An intermediate level guide to matwork techniques, tactics, and contest rules, and to Katame-no-kata.

OLYMPIC JUDO: GROUNDWORK TECHNIQUE*

  • Neil Adams, 5th dan & Cyril Carter
  • Pelham Books, ISBN 0-7207-1670-5
  • An advanced level discussion of the application of a half dozen different holds, chokes and arm locks, with variations.

OLYMPIC JUDO: THROWING TECHNIQUE*

  • Neil Adams, 5th dan & Cyril Carter
  • Pelham Books, ISBN 0-7207-1671-3
  • An advanced level discussion of the application of seven different throws, along with combinations.

OLYMPIC JUDO: HISTORY & TECHNIQUES

  • Nicolas Soames
  • Crowood UK, ISBN 1-85223-489-X

OSOTO-GARI: JUDO MASTERCLASS TECHNIQUES

  • Yahuhiro Yamashita
  • Ippon Books, 0-9518455-8-6
  • In teaching this technique, World and Olympic champion Yamashita emphisises the importance of good style, while acknoledging the special demands of competition.

PICK-UPS: JUDO MASTERCLASS TECHNIQUES

  • Robert van de Walle
  • Ippon Books, ISBN 1-874572-10-0
  • The author, a 1980 Olympic champion, covers the techniques morote-gari, sukui-nage, ura-nage and kata-guruma in this volume.

PLAY THE GAME: JUDO

  • Justin Dando
  • Brandford, ISBN 0-7137-24161
  • An general introductory level manual on the subject of modern competitive Judo.

SCIENCE OF JUDO

  • Author n/a
  • Wheman Publishing, ISBN 0-685-88122-9

SECRETS OF JUDO: A TEXT FOR INSTRUCTORS AND STUDENTS

  • Jiichi Watanabe and Lindy Avakian
  • Chas. E. Tuttle Company, ISBN 0-8048-1631-X
  • An in-depth study of the “dynamics” of Judo in general, and many techniques in particular.

SEOI-NAGE: JUDO MASTERCLASS TECHNIQUES

  • Hidetoshi Nakanishi
  • Ippon Books, ISBN 0-9518455-4-3
  • The author, along with two time world champion Yoshiharu Minami, demostrates the throws ippon-seoi-nage and morote-seoi-nage.

SHIMEWAZA: JUDO MASTERCLASS TECHNIQUES

  • Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki
  • Ippon Books, ISBN 0-9518455-7-8
  • This volume is the most comprehensive study to date of chokes and strangles. The author, a world champion, includes a special section on sankaku-jime, the triangular leg strangle.

SKILLFULL JUDO

  • Brian Caffary, 4th dan
  • A&C Black Ltd, ISBN 0-7136-3604-1
  • An average beginner’s level “catalog” type book of sports Judo techniques.

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED JUDO*

  • Paul Stewart
  • J.B. Lippincott Co, ISBN 0-397-01104-0
  • A general beginners level manual of sports Judo.

THE SPORT OF JUDO

  • Kiyoshi Kobayashi, 6th dan & Harold E. Sharp, 3rd dan
  • Wehman Publishers, ISBN 0-685-38453-5
  • An above average intermediate level “catalog” type book on the sports application of Judo techniques.

TEACH YOURSELF JUDO

  • Syd Hoare
  • Random House Publishing, ISBN 0-679-72114-2
  • An average introductory level manual of sports Judo.

TECHNIQUE OF JUDO

  • S. Takagaki
  • Wehman Publishers, ISBN 0-685-38456-X

TEXTBOOK OF JUDO: FOR BEGINNERS, COMPETITORS AND INSTRUCTORS

  • Nagayasu Ogasawara, 7th dan
  • Kokushi Dojo, ISBN n/a
  • Specially published by Ogasawara Sensei’s dojo in New Jersey, the book is a fairly good “catalog” of Judo techniques.

TOMOE-NAGE: JUDO MASTERCLASS TECHNIQUES

  • Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki
  • Ippon Books, ISBN 0-9518455-7-8
  • The author covers every aspect of the throw tomoe-naga, one of the most aesthetically pleasing and effective throws in Kodokan Judo.

UCHIMATA: JUDO MASTERCLASS TECHNIQUES

  • Hitoshi Sugai
  • Ippon Books, ISBN 0-951845-1-9
  • The author, a two time world champion, considers old and new forms of uchimata, as well as essential combinations, defences and counters.

VITAL JUDO: GRAPPLING TECHNIQUES*

  • Isao Okano
  • Wehman Publishing, ISBN 0-685-70712-1
  • An advanced “catalog” book of Judo grappling techniques, including strategy, counters and escapes.

VITAL JUDO: THROWING TECHNIQUES*

  • Tetsuya Sato, 7th dan, and Isao Okano
  • An advanced “catalog” book of Judo throwing techniques, including strategy, combinations and variations.


“The Techniques of Judo are infinite, and the Spirit of Judo is sublime.”
– Isao Inokuma

judo6 Books on Judo, the Olympic sport and martial art