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After World War II, there was a period when the teaching of un-armed combat Arts was forbidden in Japan by the U.S, Occupation forces. The sport was permitted to be practiced and this led to even morę confusion. Thousands of Americans, eager to Learn Judo at the "source" were taught sport Judo and were under the impression that they had been taught self-defense.

Sport Judo is not practical for self-defense, as Dr. Kano pointed out, but there has come to be a common misconception of self-defense Judo as "where you really throw a guy around" and this has prevented many from even thinking about it as a sport, much less considering it as a pleasurable, healthful diversion.

OLD-FASHIONED TEACHING TECHNIOUES

Added to the "mystery" and confusion which surrounds the sport of Judo, there is a standard method of teaching it which repels most curious new-comers.

The new Student presents himself to learn the Art of Judo and he spends the first six months learning a few falling techniąues. When he is thought to be able to proceed, he is madę to work with advan-ced students who then practice their throws on the newcomer. Anything our New Student learns about throwing techniąues he learns on the way down!

For the especially hardy and determined few who survive this "learning by ordeal" process, there will come a time when they can begin to attempt throws and join the ranks of the elite.

In ancient times, and in the context of Oriental cul-ture, the above proceduręs were reasonable. It was not the intention of the teacher to encourage great numbers of people to Learn the "secrets" of the Art. Exactly the opposite was true. Only those who demonstrated remarkable ąualities of endur-ance and patience were thought to be worthy of in-struction.

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