The Evolution of Kosen Judo

At the time of the rule change of 1925 newaza was extremely popular and well researched, particularly by the Kosen Judo students. Since Kosen Judo was an inter-school team contest only, there was the possibility to draw. It was only Ippon (win by pin, submission, or a perfect throw) or a draw. Newaza training was very useful because it is easier to get draws in newaza, and faster to get a beginner trained for competition. By this time turtle positions, double leg locks (closed-guard), half-guard and so on were extensively researched by the Kosen masters (there is a major misconception that these techniques were developed by the Gracies in Brazil).
Kosen judo followed its own course and continued under the old rules even to this day in the Seven Universities Tournament. Kano was very careful not to obliterate Kosen judo when he introduced the new rules. He did this for several reservations:

• There were relatively few doing newaza-only.
• He wanted newaza specialists in judo.
• He could not convince himself that doing only newaza was in itself bad.
• Kosen judokas did also tachiwaza despite their emphasis in newaza.

This way the rule changes were not enforced throughout the judo world in Japan allowing judo to evolve both standing and onto the ground. The new rules were devised as a mean to emphasize tachiwaza while great care was taken not to make newaza unpopular.


The context for this post can be found here (where you will also see some interesting comments around the place of BJJ in Judo contests).