Judo

Some minor judo administrations exist, such as the BJC-MAC (British Judo Council - Martial Arts Circle). Nicholas), and a treble (young Saint Nicholas). Judo clubs can also be administered by the British Judo Council (BJC), which is popular in the north of England. This is for small orchestra, three choirs, a tenor soloist (St. In Great Britain, the British Judo Association (BJA) is the largest Judo Association and the only one affiliated to the IJF. This tells the story of Saint Nicholas and his Christian exploits. Each national organization in the US has its own promotion requirements, but they still have the same belt rank system. Benjamin Britten wrote a Christmas cantata commissioned by three public schools.

The other national organizations are USJF, United States Judo Federation, and USJA, United States Judo Association. Nicholas (São Nicolau) has been celebrated since the Middle Ages in Guimarães as the patron saint of high-school students, in the so called Nicolinas, a group of festivities that occur from November 29th to December 7th each year. One is USA Judo, which also has state organizations which host state tournaments and other judo related activities. In Portugal, St. In the US, there are several different national organizations. He is accompanied by "Père Fouettard", carrying a bunch of sticks with which naughty children are beaten. The international organization of judo is the IJF, or the International Judo Federation. In France, Saint Nicolas is only celebrated this way in the eastern part of the country (Alsace, Lorraine regions) and less strongly in the northern part of the country (Nord département).

Judo, uniquely among combat sports, puts equal emphasis on the initial throwing and the final pinning and submitting phases of combat, ideally enabling practitioners to dominate grappling-fights from the get-go. Saint Nicholas is also celebrated by the university students in the city of Liège. It should be noted that the ability to throw an opponent to his back and apply a pinning technique is of enormous importance in these kinds of competitions, as is the ability to finish off a downed opponent with strikes or a submission-move. Note that Saint Nicholas has been celebrated in Belgium for centuries - there is even a city called Sint-Niklaas - but, like every folkloristic thing in Belgium, there might be small differences, and generally in the eastern part of the provinces West Flanders and East Flanders Saint Nicholas is not celebrated, but instead children receive presents from Sint Maarten (Saint Martin) on the 11th of November. Karo Parisyan, an Armenian-born judoka now fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has demonstrated the application of judo techniques to mixed martial arts in the United States. This tradition was still alive thirty years ago in the Catholic south of The Netherlands. Hidehiko Yoshida, an Olympic gold medalist in 1992 and World Judo Champion in 1999, is well-known in PRIDE Fighting Championships, as is Fedor Emelianenko, PRIDE's current heavy weight champion. Children have to put their shoes by the stove the evening of the 5th of December and the next morning, they find their presents.

Due to their knowledge in ne-waza/grappling and tachi-waza/standing-grappling, various accomplished judo practitioners have also competed in mixed martial arts matches. The celebrating of Saint-Nicholas is mostly the same as in the Netherlands, but in Belgium the children receive their presents on the 6th of December. Even in the controlled environments of a match or dojo training session, injuries can easily occur due to a lapse in focus or overzealous application of a technique. Originally Sinterklaas or Sint-Nikolaas was only celebrated in Flanders and the Netherlands the way described above, but now he is celebrated in Wallonia in the same way. However, while throws executed with proper break falls on soft mats can seem light and graceful, their more practical application on a hard surface (and potentially with greater intent to harm) could be very dangerous. The quality of such poetry varies strongly, from crooked rhymes to reasonably well written poems of several pages. Proponents believe this contributes to judo being underrated as a method of self-defense. Since the poem is signed by Sinterklaas, the poems can be pleasantly sharp and things can be said which one would not usually say directly, even though it is usually clear who wrote the poem.

Without the kicking and punching so common to other martial arts, except in atemi-waza, which is taught to black belts, judo is often portrayed as friendlier than, for instance, karate. The poems may also be more like small pieces of art, often ridiculing things the receiver did in the past year. A World Championship or Olympic match lasts only 5 minutes, but will leave participants exhausted. But not to worry, there are always real gifts, the biggest of which are sometimes a remnant of the original tradition, reserved for the next morning, spread out on a big table and buried under walnuts and mandarins ('from Spain'). Despite the literal meaning of judo being "the gentle way", competition judo is one the roughest and most demanding of sports. The possibilities are endless and preparations may start weeks (or months) in advance. The judges can make a decision to change the score or penalty given by the referee. There may be instructions about where the gift is hidden, the parcel may act strangely when handled, there may be several layers of wrapping, with syrup smeared in between and ultimately there may be no gift in the parcel at all.

All scores and penalties are given by the referee. The poem and the wrapping, called surprise, usually become more important than the gift itself. Penalties may be given for being inactive during the match or using illegal techniques and fighting must be stopped if a participant is outside the designated area on the mat (tatami). Also secondary school classes and colleagues at work sometimes celebrate it together. If there is no ippon or submission, the one with the highest score wins. After kids stop believing, families often continue to celebrate the holiday. An automatic ippon is also granted when one's opponent submits (which frequently occurs when strangle holds / arm locks are used). Dutch and Flemish media, especially television stations, abide by a kind of informal rule never to deny Sinterklaas's existence, or at least not in programs broadcast before children's bedtime.

Pinning an opponent, with both shoulders on the mat, for 25 seconds (20 if you previously scored a waza-ari, since two half-points will complete your ippon) results in an ippon. Some Christians fear that if their children discover them lying about the existence of Sinterklaas, the children may believe that they are lying about the existence of God himself. After the throw occurs and is scored, combat may continue on the ground. Others, looking back on their own experience with Sinterklaas as a child, consider that the enjoyment the children get is greater than a 'small' discomfort. If there is no score during this period, then the decision (majority vote) of the referee and two corner judges is used. Therefore some parents tell their children from the start that all this Sinterklaas is just a fantasy, a game that people play, as they consider it an inappropriately bad example about telling the truth. Finally, if both players have identical scores, the match is resolved by having the contestants continue fighting in a sudden death overtime called the Golden Score period where the first contestant to get any score wins. For some children, gradually losing their magic view of the world as they grow older and getting more and more suspicious about what their parents are telling them, it still may be their first big traumatic experience in life when their parents admit that Sinterklaas does not really exist....

If they are also equal in yukos, kokas break the tie. Also, most children can't think of a reason why their parents would lie to them. At match end, if one player has scored a waza-ari and the other has not, the player with the waza-ari wins, but if they are equal in that regard (both with zero or one) yukos are used to break the tie. The atmosphere during celebrations can be very enchanting though, and many children really want to believe. Rather, they are used as tiebreakers if the match ends before an ippon is scored. Most children do suspect that Sinterklaas may not truly exist. Yukos and kokas are not fractional points in that they do not accumulate to equal a waza-ari or ippon-- in fact a waza-ari beats any number of yukos and a yuko beats any number of kokas. At family gatherings where a stand-in Sinterklaas in a rented suit appears, parents have reported in advance to this Sinterklaas what the children have done good and bad and make it look like he knows everything about the children when the 'Goedheiligman' ('Good Holy Man') looks in his big book.

Technically speaking, a waza-ari is a half-point, two of which will earn the match. When children ask their parents how it is possible that Sinterklaas is at so many places, they tell them that those are assistant Sinterklazen. Anything else, such as landing your opponent on the hip or shoulder, will be waza-ari (技有), yuko (有効) or koka (効果) (waza-ari being the highest of the 3, koka the lowest) or even no score. The period between his arrival and December 5 is therefore very exciting. This will score an ippon (一本), a full point that wins the match. They think that he actually lives forever and that he comes from Spain, that he knows everything about the children and that his Zwarte Pieten do come down through chimneys. The object in a judo match is to throw your opponent to the ground. The children, up to an age of usually seven or eight years, almost religiously believe in Sinterklaas.

Of course the IJF was created largely based on the earlier European Judo Union where weight classes had also been used for many years. But the presents may be too big or too many, so they have to be sneaked into the house while the kids are distracted. In 1961, Uchida represented the United States at the International Judo Federation meetings in Paris, where the IJF adopted weight classes for all future championships. However, the European Parliament has issued a recommendation to ban chocolate cigarettes since they might promote future real smoking. In 1953, Stone and Uchida successfully petitioned the Amateur Athletic Union to accept judo as a sport, with their weight class system as an official component. Also popular are coins and cigarettes made out of chocolate. In the 1940s Henry Stone and Yosh Uchida, the head coaches at Cal and SJSC, developed a weight class system for use in the frequent competitions between the schools. These presents are often accompanied by a simple poem, saying something about the child or with a hint to the nature of the present.

Collegiate competition in the United States, especially between UC Berkeley and San Jose State, contributed towards refining judo into the sport seen at the Olympic Games and World Championships. Typical presents include the first letter of the child's name made out of chocolate, a figurine of Sinterklaas made out of chocolate and wrapped in painted aluminium foil, coloured marzipan shaped into fruit, an animal or some other object. Over 78 Kg. Some parents manage to 'convince' Sinterklaas to come to their home personally. up to and including 78 Kg. Alternatively - some improvisation is often called for - the parents 'hear a sound coming from the attic' and then the bag with presents is 'found' there. Over 70 Kg. Later in The Netherlands adults started to give each other presents on the evening of the 5th; then older children were included and today in that country even the youngest take part in 'Sinterklaasavond' or 'Pakjesavond': children at home sing Sinterklaas songs and suddenly somebody will knock on the door very loudly, and when they go to the door a gunny sack full of presents is found on the doorstep.

up to and including 70 Kg. Traditionally Saint Nicholas brings his gifts in the night and Belgian children still find their presents on the morning of December 6th. Over 63 Kg. This practice however has been condemned by Sinterklaas, in his more recent television appearances, as something of the past. up to and including 63 Kg. Children are also told that in the worst case they would be put in the gunny sack that black Peter carries the presents in, and be taken back to Madrid in Spain, where Sinterklaas spends the rest of the year. Over 57 Kg. Given that the fictitious Sinterklaas comes from Spain, the Moorish dress of his helpers is noteworthy since Moors ruled over most of Spain for centuries.

up to and including 57 Kg. Some have actually gone so far as to replace black Peter by "green Peter" (a man in a Moorish dress with a green face). Over 52 Kg. The usual reply is that his face is black with soot. up to and including 52 Kg. In recent years some people have engaged in a recurring debate about racial aspects of the black Peter character: the Peter character may have been inspired by black slaves. Over 48 Kg. Children are told that Black Peter enters the house through the chimney, which also explained his black face and hands, and would leave a bundle of sticks or a small bag with salt in the shoe instead of candy when the child had been bad.

Women Up to and including 48 Kg. However, with the advent of central heating children put their shoes near the boiler or even just next to the front door. Over 100 Kg. Traditionally, in the weeks between his arrival and the 5th of December, before going to bed, children put their shoes next to the chimney of the coal fired stove or fireplace, with a carrot or some hay in it "for Sinterklaas's horse", sing a Sinterklaas song, and will find some candy in the form of a chocolate, marzipan frog in their shoes the next day, supposedly thrown down the chimney by a Zwarte Piet or Sinterklaas himself. up to and including 100 Kg. All Dutch national television companies have agreed to use the same actor to portray Sinterklaas; currently, the role is played by Bram van der Vlugt. Over 90 Kg. Also, on the main day of celebration (traditionally December 5th) the Dutch version of Sesame Street the inhabitants of Sesame Street are visited by Sinterklaas as well.

up to and including 90 Kg. Over the years media attention has grown, while Sinterklaas is in the country the 'Sinterklaasjournaal' is aired every day, discussing his activities and any major 'problems' (which occur every year). Over 81 Kg. His official arrival in a different town each year is televised on public television. up to and including 81 Kg. Sinterklaas also visits schools, hospitals and shopping malls. Over 73 Kg. The children welcome him by singing traditional Sinterklaas songs.

up to and including 73 Kg. His Zwarte Pieten throw candy and small, round gingerbread-like cookies (Pepernoten) into the crowd. Over 66 Kg. Each year in November Sinterklaas arrives by steamer 'from Spain', and is then paraded through the streets of the town he arrives in (actually in every town of the Netherlands), welcomed by cheering and singing children. up to and including 66 Kg. Sinterklaas has a long white beard, holds a long gold coloured staff with a fancy curled top in his hand (a crozier) and carries a big book with all the children's names in it, and whether they have been good or bad. The eight divisions are: Men Up to and including 60Kg Over 60 Kg. The frame shift to multiple Petes was more or less a direct result of the assistance provided by the Canadian army to the reception of the saint in 1945 Amsterdam.

Men and women compete separately (although they often train together), and there are several weight divisions. "Piet(er)" the name in use now can be traced back to a book from 1891. Judo became an Olympic sport for men in 1964 and, with the persistence of an American woman by the name of Rusty Kanokogi and many others, a sport for women as well in 1988 (both years given were the years that Judo was a demonstration event followed by an official medal event 4 years later). Traditionally Saint Nicholas only had one helper, whose name varied wildly. Although a fully featured martial art, judo has also developed as a sport. Today however, the more politically correct explanation that Pete's face is "black from soot" (as Pete has to climb through chimneys to deliver his gifts) is used. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu remained rather aloof to later changes in international Judo rules which added emphasis to the standing phase of the fight, and thus remains a distinctive form of Judo to this day. Their blackness was racial, with Pete being an imported African servant of Saint Nicholas since 1850 (though some people say Pete was a slave who, when Sinterklaas bought him his freedom, was so grateful that he stayed to assist him).

The terms Judo and Jiu-jitsu were at that time interchangeable. This racialization is reflected in the reworking of the character’s mythos. He taught Judo to Carlos Gracie (1902-94) and others in Brazil. Although the character of Black Peter later came to acquire racial connotations, his origins were in the devil figure. At this time, groundfighting (newaza) was very popular and not yet limited by the rules. Having triumphed over evil, it was said that on Saint Nicholas eve the devil was shackled and made his slave. Mitsuo 'Count' Maeda introduced Judo to Brazil in the early 20th Century. During the Middle-ages Zwarte Piet was a name for the devil.

In Austria, Julius Fleck and others developed a system of throwing intended to extend Judo that they called Judo-do. These helpers are called 'Zwarte Pieten' (black Petes). Teaching in France, Mikonosuke Kawaishi developed an alternative approach to instruction that continued to teach many techniques banned in modern competition. Sinterklaas wears a red bishop's dress including a red mitre, rides a white horse (called Amerigo) over the rooftops and is assisted by many mischievous helpers with black faces and colourful Moorish dresses, dating back two centuries. A sub-style of Kodokan Judo that developed in Japanese inter-scholastic competition is known as Kosen judo (高專柔道) with the same range of techniques but greater latitude permitted for Ne-waza (ground technique). On the evening of December 5, Sinterklaas brings presents to every child that has been good in the past year (in practice to all children). Kano took the name Judo from Jikishin Ryu Judo, which is an older school but not really seen outside of Japan. In recent years, Christmas (along with Santa Claus) has been pushed by shopkeepers as another gift-giving festival, with some success, although, especially for young children, Saint Nicholas' eve is still much more important than Christmas.

Jigoro Kano's Kodokan Judo (講道館) is not the only style of judo. In this case, roles are reversed, though, in that Sinterklaas is the one who gives the presents. The dan (black belt) ranks are awarded after doing an exam supervised by independent judges of the national judo association. In the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas' eve is the occasion for gift-giving, when his alleged birthday is celebrated. Once both parts have been completed it is possible for a Judoka to be promoted. In Luxembourg "Kleeschen" is accompanied by the "Houseker" a frightening helper wearing a brown monk's habit. Judokas also have to compete in a grading competition against people of a similar grade. In Slovenia Saint Nikolaus (Miklavž) is accompanied by an angel and a devil (parkelj) corresponding Austrian Krampuss.

In most Western countries, Judokas have to pass an exam which is normally assesed by the Sensei (Teacher) within the Dojo. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Mikuláš is often also accompanied by an angel who acts as a counterweight to the ominous Knecht Ruprecht (čert). Corner judges on the corners of the mat also have a white and blue flag to indicate to which competitor a point should go when it is unclear whom it should be awarded to. These Krampusläufe (Krampus runs) still exist, although perhaps less violent than in the past. Points are also awarded to white or blue. They wore masks and dragged chains behind them, even occasionally hurling them towards children in their way. In both cases this does not indicate their rank, but is to enable the judges and spectators to tell the opponents apart during a fight. In parts of Austria, Krampusse, who local tradition says are Nikolaus's helpers (in reality, typically children of poor families), roamed the streets during the festival.

In some competitions the older system whereby one competitor wears a white sash and the other a blue sash remains in place. In highly Catholic regions, the local priest was informed by the parents about their children's behaviour and would then personally visit the homes in the traditional Christian garment and threaten to beat them with a rod. In competition one judoka wears a blue suit while the other wears white. These traditions were implemented more rigidly in Catholic countries such as Austria. Jigoro Kano was the inventor of the kyu - dan grading system, that soon got adapted by other martial arts such as karate. In other accounts he would throw the sack into the river, drowning the naughty children within. Historically, a woman's belt had a white stripe at its centre in some countries, while in most of them this habit has been discontinued. In Switzerland, where he is called Schmutzli, he would threaten to put bad children in a sack and take them back to the Black Forest.

All dan grades may wear the black belt; sixth- through eighth- dans may alternately wear a red-and-white belt, while those ranked ninth- dan and above may wear a solid red belt. Knecht Rupert furthermore was equipped with goatlegs. In Japan, all adult kyu grades wear either white or brown belts. But for many children, Nikolaus also elicited fear, as he was often accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht, who would threaten to beat, or sometimes actually eat the children for misbehaviour. Some European countries additionally use a red belt to signify a complete beginner. This has become more lenient in recent decades. In the UK and most of Europe the belt grading colours run like this: White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Brown and then Black. Sometimes a disguised Nikolaus also visits the children at school or in their homes and asks them if they "have been good" (sometimes ostensibly checking a book for their record), handing out presents on a per-behaviour basis.

In some countries, the nine colours run from grey through white, light blue, blue, yellow, orange, green, purple, and brown. If they were not, they will have charcoal in their boots instead. Judoka are ranked according to skill and knowledge of judo, that grade being reflected in the colour of his belt: There are two divisions of grades, the student grades (kyu, 級), and the master grades (dan, 段). Nicholas fills the boot with gifts, and at the same time checks up on the children to see if they were good. Because this allows a merciful exit to the match, injuries related to these holds are quite rare. St. When this occurs, the match is over, and the tapping player has lost, but the chokehold or joint lock ceases. Many children put a boot, called Nikolaus-Stiefel, outside the front door on the night of December 5 to December 6.

In randori and shiai (tournament) practice, when an opponent successfully executes a chokehold or joint lock, one "taps out" by tapping the mat or one's opponent at least twice in a manner that clearly indicates the submission. In Germany, Nikolaus is usually celebrated on a small scale. Also for reasons of safety, chokeholds, jointlocking - and the sacrifice (sutemi) techniques, which can be very spectacular, are often subject to age and/or rank restrictions; in the United States, one must be 13 or older to use chokeholds, and 17 or older, or hold the rank of Shodan (first grade black belt) or higher to use armlocks. Many Catholics, on the other hand, have adopted Luther's Christkind. Striking techniques (called atemi-waza) such as kicking and punching, along with knife and sword techniques are retained in the katas taught to higher ranking judoka (for instance, in the kime-no-kata), but are forbidden in contest (and usually prohibited in randori), for reasons of safety. The Protestant Netherlands, however, retain a much larger Saint Nicholas tradition. In randori, players (known as judoka) may attack each other with any judo throw or grappling technique. The Nicholas celebrations still remain a part of tradition among many Protestants, albeit on a much smaller scale than Christmas.

A kind of sparring is practiced in judo, known as randori (乱取り), meaning "free practice". Since Nicholas was a canonised saint, Martin Luther replaced the festival that had become associated with the Papacy with a "Christkind" (Christ child) celebration on Christmas Eve. The groundwork techniques are divided into: attacks against the joints or joint locks (kansetsu-waza, 関節技), strangleholds or chokeholds (shime-waza, 絞技), and holding or pinning techniques (osaekomi-waza, 押込技). The history of the festive Saint Nicholas celebration is complex and reflects conflicts between Protestantism and Catholicism. Sacrifice techniques are divided into those in which the thrower falls directly backwards (ma-sutemi-waza, 真捨身技) and those in which he falls onto his side (yoko-sutemi-waza, 橫捨身技). Also his assistants, the Zwarte Pieten ('Black Peters') may be a remnant of the raven that accompanied Wodan. Standing techniques are divided in hand techniques (te-waza, 手技), hip techniques (koshi-waza, 腰技) and foot/leg techniques (ashi-waza, 足技). In the Saint Nicholas tradition in the Netherlands he rides a horse over the rooftops, and this may be derived from Odin's riding through the sky.

Nage-waza is divided in two groups of techniques, standing techniques (tachi-waza, 立技) and sacrifice techniques (sutemi-waza, 捨身技). The appearance is similar to some portrayals of this god. While Judo includes a variety of rolls, falls, throws, pins, chokes, joint-locks, and methods of percussion, the primary focus is on throwing (nage-waza, 投げ技), and groundwork (ne-waza,寝技). Some elements of this part of the Saint Nicholas tradition could be traced back to the Germanic god Wodan (Odin). In some matches, when there are not enough blue judogis availible, one judoka may be given a colored sash or alternately colored belt to differentiate himself from the other. The American Santa Claus, Anglo-Canadian, and British Father Christmas derives from this festivity, the name 'Santa Claus' being a degeneration of the Dutch word Sinterklaas. Before competition, a blue judogi is assigned to one judoka per match for ease of distinction by judges and referee. Saint Nicholas Day is a festival for children in much of Europe related to surviving legends of the saint, and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts.

The jacket is intended to withstand the stresses of throwing and grappling, and is as a result much thicker than that of a karategi. As in the low countries oranges are generally believed to come from Spain, this led to the belief that the Saint lives in Spain and comes to visit every winter bringing oranges and other 'wintery' fruits. The judogi consists of white cotton drawstring pants and a white quilted cotton jacket fastened by a colored belt indicative of kyu or dan rank. In a strange twist, the three golden balls referring to the dowry affair are sometimes misinterpreted as being oranges or other fruits. This judogi was created at the Kodokan and similar uniforms were later adopted by many other martial arts. Depending on whether he is depicted as patron saint of children or sailors, his images will be completed by a background showing ships, children or three figures climbing out of a wooden barrel (the three slaughtered children he resurrected). Judoka (Judo practitioners) wear white cotton uniforms called Judogi (which means Judo uniform in Japanese) for practicing Judo. Due to the episode with the three dowries, he is shown holding in his hand either three purses, three coins or three golden balls.

This balanced theory of combat has made Judo a popular choice for many. In Catholic iconography, Saint Nicholas is depicted as a bishop, wearing all the insignia of this profession: a red bishop's cloak, a red miter and a bishop's staff (crozier). Judo's balance between both the standing and ground phases of combat gives judoka the ability to take down opponents who are standing up and then pin and submit them on the ground. Nicholas is a popular subject portrayed on countless Eastern Orthodox icons, particularly Russian ones. Judo's Balanced Approach to Fighting. The holy person of St. Actual fighting, albeit within safety rules, is considered to be much more effective than only practicing techniques, since fighting full-strength develops the muscles and cardio-vascular system on the physical side of things, and it develops strategy and reaction time on the mental side of things. Due to the modern association with Christmas, Saint Nicholas is a patron saint of Christmas, as well as pawnbrokers (see above).He was also a patron of the Varangian Guard of the Eastern Roman Emperors, who protected his relics in Bari.

Half the combat time is spent fighting on the ground, called ne-waza and the other half standing up, called tachi-waza. This, and also his miracle of him resurrecting the three butchered children, made Saint Nicholas a patron saint of children and later students as well. Judo emphasizes fighting (randori) as its main form of training. or Santa Claus.. Fighting. While the real gifts would only be presented at Christmas, the little presents for the children were given right away, courtesy of Saint Nicholas .. They enable the one applying the choke to force the adversary into unconsciousness and even death. On the way back they would stop at one of the various Nicholas fairs to buy some hard-to-come-by goods, gifts for their loved ones and invariably some little presents for their children.

Chokes/strangulations are Judo's deadliest techniques. According to another source, On December 6th every sailor or ex-sailor of the low countries (which at that time was virtually all of the male population) would descend to the harbour towns to participate in a church celebration for their patron saint. Chokes/Strangulations. According to one source, medieval nuns used the night of December 6th to anonymously deposit baskets of food and clothes at the doorsteps of the needy. For these reasons Judo considers joint locks to be important techniques. Today, saint Nicholas is still celebrated as a great gift-giver in several Western European countries. Also, some joints, such the elbows, can be broken, maiming your adversary so he cannot any longer attack you effectively or put up a defence. In fact many of the aspects of the Saint Nicholas' celebration can be linked to similar features of the ancient Thor worshipping.).

Joint locks are effective combat techniques since they enable you to control your opponent through pain-compliance. (Scholars may discover some analogies to the Norse god Thor, who was also a common man's god compared to the more complex Odin. Even so, some Judoka still enjoy learning and fighting each other informally using these banned techniques. Therefore this time made Saint Nicholas a 'popular' saint in every sense of the word, more than all his miracles combined. Over the years it was discovered that attacking those other joints would not only result in many injuries to the athletes, but also would gradually wear the joints down over time. At a time of holy wars and crusades the idea that one could go to heaven, even become a saint, just by the way one lived instead of the way one died must have offered a great deal of consolation for the medieval common folk. In times past, Judo allowed many other joints to be attacked too such as the knees, spine and others. As described above, while most contemporary saints earned their place in heaven by dying for their faith in manners most unusual and cruel, both Nicholas and Martin lived peacefully to a ripe old age.

Elbow locks are considered safe-enough to do at nearly full-force to induce a submission. Many churches were named for them and later gave their names to the villages that emerged around them. Joint Locks. In the middle ages, both Saint Nicholas and Martin of Tours were celebrated as true people's saints. It is your job to break through his 'guard' and pin or submit him, and it is his job to submit you from where he is, to roll you over and get on top of you or to simply break out and get back up to his feet and fight from there if that is what he wants to do. He is also the patron saint of all of Greece. Clearly you do not have control of him in this position even though you are 'on top', so it is not considered a pin. In modern Greece, he is still easily among the most recognisable saints and December 6 finds many cities celebrating their patron saint.

Also, to make things even worse for you, there are various attacking techniques he can launch against you from this position, which is called 'Do-osae' (body squeeze) in Japanese and 'The Guard' in English. In centuries of Greek folklore, Nicholas was seen as "The Lord of the Sea", often described by modern Greek scholars as a kind of Christianised version of Poseidon. What if, for example, his friends who are nearby happen to drop in to 'pay you a little visit'? You won't be able to get away. As such he has become over time the patron saint of several cities maintaining harbours. However, if the person you are holding down has wrapped his legs around any part of your lower body or your trunk, he is pinning you as much as you are pinning him since you cannot get up and flee unless he lets go. Among the Greeks and Italians he is a favourite of sailors, fishermen, ships and sailing. This also flows from the theory that you will be striking a pinned opponent, and after 10 seconds will have possibly weakened him somewhat with strikes, at least enough to merit giving some points. At a time where most saints earned their place in heaven by dying for their faith in manners most unusual and cruel, this definitely made him stand out (together with Saint Martin, who also died of natural old age) and definitely aided to his 'popularity' in every way of the word.

In a match, if you pin your opponent for less than 25 seconds you get points depending on how long, with the minimum being 10 seconds. One of the most amazing feats of Saint Nicholas however was that he lived to a ripe old age and died peacefully in his own bed. The reason for requiring such a long pin is that in order to be able to hit the person underneath you effectively, you have to have full control of him for a long time. Still, neither the church nor any scientists have ever tried to analyse the fluid, so truth still lies in the eye of the believer. If a pin is held for 25 seconds, the person doing the pinning wins the match. It is however worth noting that the tomb lies at sea level in a harbor town so the occurrence of watery liquid can be explained by several theories. Pins are considered important since in a real fight the person on top who has control of the person beneath can hit him with knees, forearms, the head and so on. So even up to today, a flask of manna is extracted from the tomb of Saint Nicholas every year on December 6th (the Saint's birthday).

Pins. As the bones were stolen and brought to Bari, they continued to do so, much to the joy of the new owners. In the ground phase, which is considered the secondary phase of combat, the opponents try to hold, or get the opponant to submit either by using arm locks (leg locks are not allowed) or by chokes and strangulations. It is said that in Myra the bones of Saint Nicholas each year sweated out a clear watery liquid, called Manna, which of course was said to possess immense powers. The Ground Phase. Basil's feast day on January 1 is also considered a time of exchanging gifts. Therefore points are given for lesser throws in the standing phase of combat. It should be noted perhaps that a nearly identical story is attributed by Greek folklore to Basil of Caesarea.

In actual fact, this kind of victory is very difficult to achieve if the opponents are equally matched. Nicholas. If a judoka executes a powerful yet fully controlled throw, he can win a match outright due to the theory that he has displayed enough superiority. After he died, people in the region continued to give to the poor anonymously, and such gifts were still often attributed to St. Be that as it may, another reason to throw the opponent is to shock his body through smashing him forcefully onto the ground. People then began to suspect that he was behind a large number of other anonymous gifts to the poor, using the inheritance from his wealthy parents. Thus, the main reason for throwing the opponent is to control him and put yourself in a dominant position above him where you have more potential to inflict damage on him than he does on you. For his help to the poor, Nicholas is the patron saint of pawnbrokers; the three gold balls traditionally hung outside a pawnshop symbolize the three sacks of gold.

The main purpose of the throwing techniques (nage waza) is to take an opponent who is standing on his feet, mobile and dangerous, down onto his back where he cannot move any more. In another version, Nicholas learns of the poor man's plan and drops the third bag down the chimney instead. punches, kicks etc) are not allowed due to their certainty of injury, but judoka are supposed to 'take them into consideration' while training by, for example, not fighting in a bent-over position for long, since this position is vulnerable to knee-strikes and others. In one version the father confronts the saint, only to have Saint Nicholas say it is not him he should thank God alone. Strikes (i.e. Invariably the third time the father lies in waiting, trying to discover their benefactor. Some judoka, however, are very skilled in combining takedowns with submissions, where a submission technique is begun standing and finished on the ground. Another has him throw the purses over a period of three years, each time the night before one of the daughters comes "of age".

Even though standing joint-lock and choke/strangulation submission techniques are legal in the standing phase, they are quite rare due to the fact that they are much harder to apply standing than throws are. One version has him throwing one purse for three consecutive nights. In the standing phase, which is considered the initial phase, the opponents try to throw each other to the ground. Hearing of the poor man's plight, Nicholas decided to help him but being too modest (or too shy) to help the man in public, he went to his house under the cover of night and threw three purses filled with gold coins through the window opening onto the man's floor. The Standing Phase. This meant that they would remain unmarried and probably, in absence of any other possible employment would have to become prostitutes. Some judoka can become quite skilled in one phase and be rather weak in the other, depending on where their interests most lie, although most are rather balanced between the two. In his most famous exploit however, a poor man had three daughters but could not affort a proper dowry for them.

Each phase requires its own mostly separate techniques, strategies, randori, conditioning and so on, although some special training is devoted to 'transitional' techniques to bridge the gap. Saint Nicholas, visiting the region to care for the hungry, not only saw through the butcher's horrific crime but also managed to resurrect the three boys from the barrel. Judo assumes that there are two main phases of combat: the standing (tachi-waza) and the ground (ne-waza) phase. Another legend tells how a terrible famine struck the island and a malicious butcher lured three little children into his house, only to kill and slaughter them and put their remains in a barrel to cure, planning to sell them off as ham. Jujitsu techniques which relied solely on superior strength were discarded or adapted in favour of those which involved redirecting the opponent's force, off-balancing the opponent, or making use of superior leverage. While the saint was praying, the loose-lipped sailor went around telling how courageously he was saved by the man Nikei-laos, upon which the church elders had no choice but to appoint Nicholas as their new bishop. Kano saw jujutsu as a disconnected bag of tricks, and sought to unify it according to some principle; he found it in the notion of "maximum efficiency". At that time the old bishop had just died and the church fathers were instructed in a dream to choose for their next bishop a "man of victory" (Greek: Nikei).

For example, if the attacker was to push against his opponent he would find his opponent stepping to the side and allowing (usually with the aid of a foot to trip him up) his momentum to throw him forwards (the inverse being true for pulling). In a colourful version of this legend, Nicholas saved the man on his voyage back from Alexandria to Myra and upon his arrival took the sailor to the church. Judo takes from jujutsu ("gentle art") the principle of using one's opponent's strength against him and adapting well to changing circumstances. According to one legend, as a young man Nicholas went to study in Alexandria and on one of his (sea) voyages from Myra to Alexandria he is said to have saved the life of a sailor who fell from the ship's rigging in a storm. To English speakers, Judo and Jujutsu would mean "the easy way", as in the easiest way to accomplish something. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors and is often called upon by sailors who are in danger of drowning or being shipwrecked. Thus Judo literally means "the gentle way", or "the way of giving way", and may also be defined as "the way of suppleness", "the way of flexibility, or "the way of adaptability". This last may seem strange for a man of "saintly behavior", but would fit perfectly with Nicholas' sometimes violent nature as reported at the First Ecumenical Council.

The word Judo is composed of two kanji: "ju", which means gentleness or giving way, and "dō" (道), meaning way of life (the same character as the Chinese "tao"). The review of the data revealed that the historical Saint Nicholas was barely five foot in height (while not exactly small, still shorter than average, even for his time) and had a broken nose. Although two years would pass before it would be called by that name, and Kano had not yet been accorded the title of "master" in the Kito ryu (起倒流) -- Iikubo would come to the temple to help teach three days per week, this was the founding of the Kodokan (講道館) or "place for learning the way.". In the summer of 2005, the report of this measurements was sent to a forensic laboratory in England. At the age of 22, just about to finish his degree at the University, Kano took 9 students from Iikubo's school to study jujitsu under him at the Eishoji Temple. Although jealously guarded and kept from prying eyes of scientists, especially with the still continuing miracle of the manna, the Roman Catholic Church allowed for one scientific survey of the bones: In the late 1950s, during a restoration of the chapel, it allowed a team of their own scientists to photograph and measure the contents of the crypt grave. His thoughts were already on doing more than expanding the canons of Kito and Tenjin Shinyo Ryu; full of new ideas, in part as a result of his education, Kano had in mind a major reformation of jujutsu, with techniques based on sound scientific principles, and with focus on development of the body, mind, and character of young men in addition to development of martial prowess. Whereas the importance of relics and the business associated with pilgrims and patron saints caused the remains of most saints to be spread over several churches in several countries, Saint Nicholas is unique in that most of his bones have been preserved in one spot: his grave crypt in Bari.

By this time, Kano was devising new techniques, such as the kata guruma ( or 'shoulder wheel', known as a fireman's carry to Western wrestlers who use(d) a slightly different form of this technique) and uki goshi (floating hip toss). Some observers have reported seeing myrrh exude from these relics. Like Fukuda, Iikubo placed much emphasis on free practice; on the other hand, Kito Ryu emphasized throwing techniques to a much greater degree than Tenjin Shinyo Ryu. The remains arrived on May 9, 1087. Iso, too, took ill, and Kano, feeling that he still had much to learn, took up another style, becoming a student of Tsunetoshi Iikubo of Kito Ryu. Returning to Bari they brought the remains with them. Through dedication, Kano quickly earned the title "shihan", or master, and became assistant instructor to Iso at the age of 21. Taking advantage of the confusion sailors from Bari, Italy seized the remains of the saint over the objections of the Orthodox monks then caring for them.

Kano then became a student in another Tenjin Shinyo school, that of Masatomo Iso, who put more emphasis on formal kata than did Fukuda. But early in his reign Myra was overtaken by the Islamic invaders. Little more than a year after Kano joined Fukuda's school, Fukuda took ill and died. It would regain its control over Asia Minor during the reign of Alexius I Comnenus, (reigned 1081 - 1118). Fukuda is said to have emphasized technique over formal exercise, sowing the seeds of Kano's emphasis of randori (乱取り), or free practice, in Judo. As a result the Empire temporarily lost control over most of Asia Minor to the invading Seljuk Turks. When he went off to the University to study literature at the age of 18, he continued his martial efforts, eventually gaining a referral to Hachinosuke Fukuda, a master of the Tenjin Shinyo Ryu (天神真楊流) and ancestor of noted Japanese/American judoka Keiko Fukuda, who is one of Kano's oldest surviving students. The battle ended in humiliating defeat and capture for Romanus.

He first started pursuing jujitsu (柔術), at that time a flourishing art, at the age of 17, but met with little success---in part due to difficulties finding a teacher who would take him on as a serious student. On August 26, 1071 Romanus IV, Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (reigned 1068 - 1071) faced Sultan Alp Arslan of the Seljuk Turks (reigned 1059 - 1072) in the Battle of Manzikert. Kano was a small, frail boy, who, even in his twenties, did not weigh more than a hundred pounds, was often picked on by bullies. According to this reasoning not even Constantius would risk a possible revolt by removing a popular bishop. His grandfather was a self-made man, a sake brewer from Shiga prefecture in central Japan; however, Kano's father was not the eldest son and did not inherit the business, but instead became a Shinto priest and government official, with enough influence for his son to enter the second incoming class of Tokyo Imperial University. This lack of disturbance by the Arian Emperor has been seen as indicating the strong support Nicholas had gained among the people of his territory. Kano was born into a well-to-do Japanese family. There is no indication that Nicholas was affected by these policies and he remained in his position till his death.

The early history of Judo and that of its founder, Japanese polymath and educator Kano Jigoro (surname first in Japanese) (1860-1938), are inseparable. During his reign he strongly favoured Arianism by seeking to place Arian bishops in most positions. . Constantius originally received the Eastern part of the Empire but the death of his brothers left the entire Empire under his control. Practitioners of Judo are called judoka. Constantine was succeeded by his three surviving sons: Constantine II of the Roman Empire (reigned 337 - 340), Constantius II (reigned 337 - 361) and Constans (reigned 337 - 350). The sport became the model of the modern Japanese martial arts, gendai budo, developed from old koryu schools. In fact Constantine was baptised by Eusebius of Nicomedia, an Arian bishop who had also attended the council, shortly before his death on May 22, 337.

Jigoro Kano (嘉納治五郎) in 1882. In fact the tides soon turned and in his later years Arianism managed to win favour with Constantine. Judo was developed from Jujutsu, and was founded by Dr. But the decisions of the council failed to stop the spread of Arianism. Judo (Japanese: 柔道, jūdō; "gentle way") is a martial art, sport, and philosophy originated in Japan. He is applauded by later Christian writers for keeping Myra free of Arianism. Following this apparent victory to his faction Nicholas returned to Myra.

To what point this decision was followed remains uncertain. The books of Arius and his followers were condemned to be burned but the execution of this decision was left at the hands of each bishop for their respective territories. The council lasted from May 20 to June 19, 325 and resulted in the declaration of the Nicene Creed and the formal condemnation of Arianism. They released Nicholas and allowed him back into the process the next day.

However, according to this account, that night the Virgin Mary appeared in a vision to many of the bishops of the Council, telling them to forgive Nicholas, for he had done it out of love for her Son. Nicholas was kicked out of the Council for this offence, and jailed as well. A later writer claimed that after Arius had presented his case against Jesus' divinity to the Council, Nicholas hit Arius in the face out of indignation. In any case Nicholas is usually counted among them and was noted as an opponent of Arianism.

The number of attendees at the Council is uncertain with Eusebius of Caesarea reporting as few as 250 and Athanasius of Alexandria as many as 318. Deciding to address the problem as a matter of the state, Constantine called the First Council of Nicaea which also was the first Ecumenical council in 325. Emerging fanaticism in both opposing factions only resulted in spreading tumult across the Empire. They would form the basis of Arianism.

At this time the teachings of Arius in Alexandria, Egypt were gaining popular support but also attracting great opposition. One of the apparent main reasons of this conflict was the failure to agree to a commonly accepted concept about God in general and Jesus in particular. But the relative peace of his reign brought to the forefront the internal conflict within contemporary Christianity. Under his patronage the Christian church experienced an age of prosperity.

Instead of tolerance, his policies towards Christians consisted of active support. The end of the war found the Roman Empire unified under the rule of Constantine. In 324 Licinius was defeated in a war against his Western co-ruler Constantine I of the Roman Empire (reigned 306 - 337). a church building) in Nicholas's honour in Constantinople, the Roman capital of the.

Justinian I, Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (reigned 527 - 565) is reported to have built a temple (i.e. The popular veneration of Nicholas as a saint seems to have started relatively early. Nicholas is also known for coming to the defence of the falsely accused, often preventing them from being executed, and for his prayers on behalf of sailors and other travelers. Because the celebration of Diana's birth is on December 6, some authors have speculated that this date was deliberately chosen for Nicholas' feast day to overshadow or replace the pagan celebrations.

The destruction of several pagan temples is also attributed to him, among them one temple of Artemis (also known as Diana). As with other bishops of the time, Nicholas' popularity would serve to ensure his position and influence during and after this period. Judging from tradition, he was probably well loved and respected in his area, mostly as a result of his charitable activities. It is apparently in this period that Nicholas rose to become bishop of Myra.

In many cases they acted as the heads of their respective cities. As a result their community was allowed to further develop, and the various bishops who acted as their leaders managed to concentrate religious, social and political influence as well as wealth in their hands. Following Galerius' death his surviving co-ruler Licinius (reigned 307 - 324) mostly tolerated Christians. Nicholas survived this period although his activities at the time are uncertain.

The persecution of 303 - 311 is considered to be the longest in the history of the Empire. In the Eastern part Galerius (reigned 305 - 311) continued the persecution until 311 when he issued a general edict of toleration from his deathbed. In the Western part of the Empire Constantius Chlorus (reigned 305 - 306) put an end to the systematic persecution upon his accession to the throne. Following the abdication of the two Emperors on May 1, 305 the policies of their successors towards Christians were different.

Diocletian issued an edict in 303 authorising the systematic persecution of Christians across the Empire. Nicholas' early activities as a priest are said to have occurred during the reign of co-ruling Roman Emperors Diocletian (reigned 284 - 305) and Maximian (reigned 286 - 305) from which comes the estimation of his age. More likely this was a gradual process. This does not say, however, that his appointment to priest or bishop meant a complete rupture with his former life.

So was Saint Nicholas a working, albeit wealthy, man who complemented his day job with caring for his congregation, or was he a full-time bishop? The impressive list of deeds of Nicholas seems to point to the latter. When his parents died, Nicholas still received his inheritance but is said to have given it away to charity. More likely, however, is that one of his family businesses involved managing a fishing fleet. As the patron saint of sailors, Nicholas is claimed to have been a sailor or fisherman himself.

Nicholas received his ordination as a priest at an early age. The latter is said to have seen potential in the youth and took Nicholas under his patronage. Whatever the reason, as a young adult and scholar, Nicholas moved to Myra to continue his studies and there the above-mentioned uncle introduced him to the local bishop. Other sources place the death of his parents at the time he was already a young adult, leading him to a period of soul-searching which finally resulted in his uncle introducing him to Christianity.

According to some sources, his parents died while he was still a child, leaving a paternal uncle to care for him. He is said to have been born to relatively affluent Christian parents in Patara, Lycia, Asia Minor, Roman Empire where he also received his early schooling. He was very religious from an early age and devoted his life entirely to Christianity. Nicholas became bishop of the city of Myra.

Nicholas was born in Asia Minor during the 3rd century at Patara in the province of Lycia, at a time when the region was Hellenistic in its culture and outlook. Historial accounts often confuse him with the later Nicholas of Sion. Several acts of kindness and miracles are attributed to him. Among Christians, he is also known as the "Miracle Worker".

Nicholas' Eve. In the Netherlands 5 December is known as his feast: this is Sinterklaasavond, or St. His feast day is December 6, presumably the date of his death. 270 - 345/352), was a 4th century bishop and is a Christian saint.

Nicholas of Myra (also Nikolaus) in Lycia, Asia Minor (lived c. . Saint Nicholas is revered by many as the patron saint of seamen, merchants, archers, children, students, prostitutes, pharmacists, lawyers, pawnbrokers, prisoners, the city of Amsterdam and of Russia. Among Orthodox Christians, the historical Saint Nicholas is remembered and revered.

Sinterklaas (a contracted form of Sint Nicolaas) is a major celebration in the Netherlands and in Flanders (see below). This historical character was the inspiration for a mythical figure known as Nikolaus in Germany and Sinterklaas in the Netherlands and Flanders, which in turn was the inspiration for the myth of Santa Claus. This is as much as is generally known about him in the West. Saint Nicholas is the common name for Saint Nicholas of Myra, who lived in 4th century Byzantine Lycia (part of modern Turkey), who had a reputation for secret gift-giving.

See Christmas around the world for other information. Nicholas in English speaking countries. See Santa Claus for information about St. Nicholas's feast day.

Boy bishops were formerly appointed on St.