Kodokan Institute Version
French Judo Federation Version
Marius Vizer, IJF President declared, “Kata represents the traditional side of judo; it is the reflection of its purest form, as it was imagined by Jigoro Kano, the father of judo. Kata is the perfect tool for teaching, learning, demonstration and also a tool to maintain tradition, while also developing new techniques and ideas. In a fastchanging world, today, kata represents the essence of judo, an inexhaustible and profound resource for the development and growth of our sport, at all ages and at all levels. The kodomo-no-kata is meant for young judoka and through learning it, they will acquire the essential principles of our sport."
Uemura Haruki, President of the Kodokan said, “Through concerted efforts by the Kodokan, IJF and French Judo Federation, kodomo-no-kata has been created mainly for children who want to acquire the basics of judo. Consisting of the prologue and seven units, kodomo-no-kata includes all movements and techniques to be mastered in each grade. It begins with how to take off their shoes when entering the dojo and it is designed in such a way that children can learn rei-ho, attitude, manner, ukemi and the basic movements, step by step. We already published ‘Kodomo-no-Kata’ during the 2019 World Championships in Tokyo and on the Kodokan YouTube channel as well. Today, we are happy to also introduce the French version of the ‘Kodomo-no-Kata.’ We hope it will be utilised as a positive educational tool for all judo teachers around the world and contribute to the development of judo."
Jean-Luc Rougé, IJF Secretary General, said, “We have created the Kodomo-no-Kata and named it after ‘kodomo’ which means children. This proposal was presented to the Kodokan and they validated it. Mr. Uemura was very happy with this proposal and we worked together to fulfil our goals. This idea made it possible for the youngest judoka, practising in clubs, to receive activities but also a strong educational tool, within a progressive system for passing grades. Gradually this kata, this technical presentation, will become a presentation for beginners of all ages. The 7 series of the kata are not practised one after the other but as wished for the population and the technical level that we have. The video that we are pleased to present to you is a video that will allow for completely different audiences, with a completely different objective, while maintaining the culture of our discipline. It will be an effective resource for working with young and old."
Franco Capelletti, IJF Kata Commision chairman and 10th dan, explained, “The Kodomo-no-Kata project, on which the FFJ, the Kodokan and the IJF have been working for several years, is crucial. It is of prime importance that our young judoka know perfectly the grammar of judo and what better than a kata as the blueprint for learning it. They can do it in a fun and adapted way. The two versions presented by the Kodokan and the FFJ are very close to each other and I am sure they will allow judoka from all continents to draw on an incredible bank of exercises with which to practise and to have fun."
The Kodomo-no-Kata is composed of 7 units and each can be followed and practised independently. The whole kata forms a progression to approach the fundamentals of judo practice safely. Each unit includes breakfalls (ukemi), movements (tai-sabaki), throwing techniques (nage-waza) and hold-down techniques (osaekomi-waza). The aim of this kata is to provide an educational tool for club teachers, covering the fundamentals of safe judo practice as well as a technical knowledge which can be used as testing criteria for grade promotion. This kata can be presented as a demonstration and it develops the memory and an appreciation for the beauty of judo.