Core Principles of Judo
By Jigoro Kano
I trained in Judo for about 2 years and achieved my 5th kyu. One of the first thing they teach you the following two core principles of Judo:
Seiryoku Zenyo (精力善用) – Maximum Efficiency with Minimum Effort
Jita Kyoei (自他共栄) – Mutual Welfare and Benefit
Deceptively simple, if you take the time to analyze them, you’ll note there is a lot of depth in both.
The first, Seiryoku Zenyo, is technical. Spend the least amount of effort to be as efficient as possible. This can be applied in all martial arts. Karate, for example, carries a similar mindset with the saying “one punch, one kill”, ending the conflict as efficiently as possible.
The second, Jita Kyoei, is definitely my favorite of all wisdom I have shared so far. It’s the only aphorism that encourages teamwork and considers your training partners.
Martial Arts is an individual team sport. You are essentially fighting by yourself. In an altercation or competition, you are by yourself, nobody will help you fight. Yet, in order to learn and get better, you need at least one more person to work with. Jita Kyoei reminds Judokas to take into consideration the welfare of your training partner.
Your partner is lending you their body for you to learn and trusts you that to do that respectfully. You are expected to do the same.
In the Judo dojo I trained at, Jita Kyoei was not just a nice saying, it was enforced in the way we trained. You trained to improve, not to dominate your partner. You threw each other, yes, but you also picked each other up. You learned to measure your strength and control your technique to reduce risk of injury and continue training over the long haul.
The longer I train in martial arts, the more I realize Jita Kyoei applies everywhere. Whether you’re practicing Judo, Karate, BJJ or any other art, this principle creates an environment where everyone grows through respect, care, and the quiet understanding that we get further when we push each other forward.