The Importance of the Uke

You probably have heard this in the dojo before, “Be a good partner.” Well what does that mean? Below, I go over some general characteristics of what I feel makes a great training partner. Do I do all of these things? Mostly, but no one is perfect. You’ll probably realize that you do most of these things already, but like a good sensei or professor will say, it’s always good to review.

#1. Be clean.
If you were to ask just about anyone who trains what their biggest pet peeve is about training, I’m willing to bet that their answer would be partnering with a filthy partner. Does it get much worse? It’s a terrible experience being with a partner whose gi has not been washed after the last practice and whose hair is greasier than a meatball sub. The smell and the gesture of wearing a dirty gi is down right rude and it’s also dangerous to others. With the threat of rashes, you’re putting everyone you come in contact with at risk.

You dirty bastard.

Cut your nails, wash your hair, shower, wash your gi, and brush your teeth. This will get you about 98% of the way towards being clean for practice. The other 2% comes from being a decently clean, knowledgeable human being. Be the person you’d want to partner with.

#2. Receive the technique. Physically.
This is what being an “uke” literally translates to, a person who receives technique. What does that mean? To me, it means that you give your partner proper energy when they are applying or drilling a technique. There is nothing worse than an uke who either lays completely limp and lifeless, or the opposite, where a partner remains extremely rigid and resists everything. Scale your energy to the person doing the technique.

There is a delicate balance of the energy and feeling you should give your partner when receiving his or her technique. Your energy, too little or too much, will determine the quality of the applicants’ practice and repetitions. Help your partner get a quality practice and they will do the same for you.

#3. Avoid the auto-pilot. Mentally.
Sometimes being in the mental state of practice, it’s easy to turn on the auto-pilot and coast while your partner does his or her technique. Being an uke is a great time to focus on becoming better and improving your own skill. You can execute this by focusing on what your partner is physically doing to you. Try and feel what he or she is doing that is good. What can they improve? When it’s your turn to drill, remember these key points and apply them as needed. Did it feel better when your partner pulled your sleeve a certain way or maybe when they put their foot in a certain spot? Become attune to these minuscule details, then turn around and apply them to your own techniques.

#4. Know your place.
Nobody likes a know-it-all. If you have a tip and you are in the position to be giving advice, do so! There is nothing wrong with an active partner giving advice on how the technique applicant can better his or her technique. NOTHING. But I see the line crossed when advice is either unwarranted, not asked for, or given from a wrong place. Sometimes people want to flex knowledge and give advice with no intention of actually helping their partner. Advice given simply by regurgitating terms, facts, or something unrelated to the technique entirely, to satisfy their own feelings. Don’t be this person. If in doubt, ask the sensei or professor to make the call.

#5. Willingness
To sum up this post, you can usually become a better uke by asking yourself the simple question of, “What can I do to maximize my partners’ training experience?” I can be clean, I can give them my body both physically and mentally, and I can also, most importantly, be willing to do all of these things. If you take the selfish route and only look to improve yourself when only doing your techniques, you’re not maximizing your time or your partners’ time. So do yourself and your entire gym a favor and become a better uke. Being an excellent uke is an art form that is both under-rated and under-practiced.

Don’t believe me.

Believe in Koga.

World Champion Clothing Swap

Staying true to the reason why I started this blog, to capture memorable moments throughout my judo and jiu jitsu journey, I wanted to capture and share this unique moment.

About 2 years ago, while training in Japan, my brother and I ran in to 1983 Judo World Champion Hidetoshi Nakanishi. We were training at the world renown Tokai University, where Nakanishi Sensei is a coach, and after practice we were invited to have dinner with some team members. It was a huge honor and a great opportunity to talk to some elite level judoka. While there, Nakanishi Sensei joined us, and that’s when the party really began.

Through broken Japanese, a copious amount of hand gestures, and maybe a beer or eight, my brother found out that Nakanishi Sensei really liked the Portland Judo shirt he was wearing. My brother purposed a trade and to everyone’s surprise, Nakanishi agreed. I was instantly jealous that my brother had acquired such a souvenir. I had to get something too.

Thinking about what I could offer as a trade, I immediately pointed to my shorts. I think I said something like, “These are expensive shorts back in America and I just bought them.” Everyone laughed and the focus went to Nakanishi. Without saying a word, he began to take off his shorts in the middle of the room. I took that as a sign of a trade and immediately dropped trou too. We ended up swapping shorts and I got my hands on a great souvenir and an even better story.

It’s stories like these that really stand out in my mind when I think about what judo means to me. More than the training and techniques, it’s the journey that is cherished.

1983 World Champion Hidetoshi Nakanishi demonstrates his signature ippon seoi nage.

You can also check out his book, Judo Masterclass Series: Seoi Nage.

Passion 4 Passion

As I get older I’m starting to realize a certain change coming over myself. I’m starting to realize people and their passion in life a lot more than I used to. For an example, check out this video of world renown pianist Valentina Lisitsa playing the piano. Sure she is incredible, but there is a certain way she hits the keys that, to me, is beyond just talent. She clearly loves what she does. It’s her passion. Can you see it?

For me, judo and jiu jitsu is my passion. My life, literally, revolves around both arts. I’m in the dojo 4-5 days a week and when I’m not there, I’m usually at my shop, Dojo Outfitters, meeting people who share the same love for the arts as I do. I’m surrounded by it, and I love it.

Last week I threw a huge event called Passion 4 Passion. I wanted to create an event that celebrates people’s passion in their lives. Whether it be break dancing, art, judo, or jiu jitsu, there’s something that draws us to do these things beyond just doing them. It’s in our body, mind, and soul.

The video below captures the entire event.

Toshihiko Koga

If you mention the name Toshihiko Koga in different judo circles you’ll get varying responses. Ippon seoinage. 3x World Champion. 6 consecutive All-Japan titles. Judo icon.

Toshihiko Koga is all of the above. He started his judo career while in elementary school at the age of 6 along with his older brother. His older brother, Motohiro, also did judo and was internationally known as a game competitor. In 1985, both Koga brothers made it to the final in the same tournament, with Toshihiko emerging victorious over his older brother via juji gatame, a straight arm bar. It is said that at this time Motohiro told the 18 year old Toshihiko, “Over to you, little brother” and retired from judo, basically passing the torch to a then unheralded Toshihiko.

Toshihiko would then go on an international competition tear, winning the 1986 Junior World Championships in Rome, earning Bronze at the 1987 World Championships, and eventually overcoming a devastating knee injury to win Gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Overcoming injuries was something that Koga was known for throughout his judo career. This fact is a testament to both his grit and mental tenacity, qualities that cannot be taught but brutally earned through grueling practices. Watch the video below and see how Koga earned his 1989 World Championship title in devastating fashion.

Uchimata, Inner Thigh Throw

I recently came across a gem at a used book store and if you follow judo you may have heard of the Judo Masterclass Techniques book series. These books were compiled in the late 80’s and early 90’s and featured some of the top judokas writing about their respected tokui waza, or favorite techniques. They are fairly popular and relatively hard to get a hold of.

While uchimata has never been my strongest throw, I recently started adding it to my techniques after watching Japanese phenom Hidehiko Yoshida decimate opponents in competition with this throw. Enter the Judo Masterclass book written by 2-time World Champion Hitoshi Sugai. The book covers a wide variety of uchimata variations and happened to enter my possession the same day that I came across the video below, which features Japan’s most recent World Champion Shohei Ono and his path to championship Gold. Check out the technique that he uses to win his World Championship crown, it’s beautiful.

Love Queen and Uchimata? Prepare for your mind to be blown.

Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki: Remember the Name

If you do judo or jiu jitsu, Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki is a name you absolutely must know because his entire life story is an inspiration. He is also, literally, a judo legend among judo legends. I feel that this word is tossed around lightly these days, but when I write it and use it, I absolutely mean it.

He was renown for his devastating newaza techniques and his transitions in throwing to mat work were works of art, a clip of his Tamoe Nage should be on display in The Louvre. Katsuhiko was also known to cross train in Sambo as well, winning the Sambo World Championships in 1975. Cross training would be something that Kashiwazaki would do throughout his career.

Not only was he a technician but he was also a stellar competitor. He won the coveted open-weight All-Japan Championships, 5 times. After winning the 1981 Judo World Championships, he was quoted, “When I won the Judo 64Kg category in the World Championship in Maastricht, Holland in 1981, I was the World Champion – for a minute; at the most for a day. If we have fought all over again the following day, perhaps there would have been a different result. Now, I do not think that I am a World Champion. Yamashita thinks the same. So when you win a championship, enjoy it for one day, feel that you are a champion for one day. But no more.” Humbleness has been defined.

Despite all of his championships and accolades, Kashiwazaki was also a university professor and carried a very academic approach to his judo. He taught full time and also trained full time, which is equivalent to working 40+ hours a week and still winning a World title. Inspired yet?

In a day and age of sponsored athletes and instant celebrities, it’s easy for names and stories of the past to get washed away from memory. In judo and jiu jitsu, this shouldn’t be the case with a person who was as inspirational and ground breaking as Kashiwazaki.

Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki, remember the name.

Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki showing off his impressive and flawless technique.

Stellar Ashiwaza

If you follow the blog, you know that nothing gets my blood pumped up more than a beautiful display of ashiwaza. When I see a nice foot sweep, it makes me want to bust out my best Ric Flair imitiation. Anyway, while perusing through YouTube I stumbled upon this glorious gem, polished and mined from the talents of Japanese powerhouse, 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, and 2-time World Champion, Keiji Suzuki.

Check out this three technique combo that he pulled off during his campaign at the All-Japan Judo Championships. Check out the finesse and suppleness and try to wrap your head around the amount of hours that was put in to his technique.

Who is Neil Adams?

If you’re a judoka, perhaps you’ve heard of the name Neil Adams before. Let me tell you three true things about Mr. Adams and I’ll toss in one fake fact to spice things up.

1. He’s a 5x European Champion and dominated the British judo scene in the late 70’s and early 80’s.

2. He’s a 4x World Medalist, winning the whole enchilada in 1981.

3. He loves his mocha made with non-fat milk and takes it with half of the whip cream.

4. He was known for vicious mat work and his tachiwaza weapon of choice was tai-otoshi.

#3 is actually a fact about me, but the rest are all facts about Mr. Adams. As a newaza fan, Neil Adams is one of my favorite judoka. His juji gatame was incredibly sharp and his dedication and work ethic is something I admire till this day. I actually had the pleasure to meet him once while training at San Jose State University.

Check out Sir Neil Adams apply his famous juji gatame armlock on Japanese product Jiro Kase in the finals of the 1981 World Championships held in Maastricht, Netherlands. Also, read more about Neil Adams here

See the tenacity.

Yasuhiro Yamashita: Remember the Name

I’m going to state five things about Yasuhiro Yamashita and I want you to pick out the one that’s fake.

1. He was a 4x World Champion and also won 9 consecutive All-Japan Championships.
2. He’s the youngest judoka ever to win the open category at the All-Japan Championships, at the ripe old age of 19.
3. He went unbeaten in competition for 9 years, winning 203 consecutive matches.
4. He’s close friends with Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
5. He once had a judo match with a Grizzly bear that lasted for roughly four and a half hours, the Grizzly bear eventually lost due to death.

So which one is fake? I’m not telling. But what I do want to tell you about is one of the most famous judoka ever by the name of Yasuhiro Yamashita.

Yamashita is a judo legend who wreaked havoc on the international competition scene during the late 70’s and early 80’s. He was known for having a devastating left handed Osotogari and was widely regarded as a stocky heavyweight with beautiful technique. Yamashita retired from competition after winning the All-Japan Championships for the 9th consecutive time, he was only 28 years old. He still remains active in the International judo scene.

It’s hard to express the amount of dedication and mental tenacity it must have took to achieve the things that Yamashita has in judo. It’s easy to read it on paper and watch old YouTube footage, but to have actually been there to witness this judo legend in his absolute prime must have been epic. To watch him train hours upon hours in the dojo and to see the sacrifices he must have made to get to his level would be priceless.

Before the day and age of video training montages and MMA fight camp access, Yamashita was doing hard work. Before it was about money, glory, and fame, Yamashita was conquering everything and anything.

Remember the name.

See Yamashita win his 1984 Olympic Gold medal.

One Handed Tai Otoshi by Travis Stevens

My Facebook feed is pretty much filled with various judo, jiu jitsu, and cat videos. This video gem actually caught my eye and it’s from 2x Olympian Travis Stevens showing a brief variation of the judo throw Tai Otoshi, meaning “body drop”. If this Tai Otoshi looks similar, it should. It’s the same throw that SJSU alumni Mike Swain used on his way to win his 1987 World Championship Title.

Travis Stevens and I were training partners while we both attended San Jose State and both trained under Mike Swain. I also shoot my Tai Otoshi the exact same way. Coincidence? Watch it, then go try it on a younger sibling.

Travis and I at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO.

Me winning “Judo Face of the Year” as Travis watches on.