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I
rg. Seiryoku Zen'yo Kokumin
Taiiku
As discussed in chapter 2, a system of physical education ideally possesses
three characteristics: it promotes the development of strong, healthy minds
and bodies, is interesting, and is useful. Not only does Seiryoku Zen'yo
Kokumin Taiiku meet all three requirements admirably, it goes well beyond
being merely gymnastics or simply a martial art.
This kata consists of two groups of exercises. One is practiced alone, the
other with a partner. A1l but one of the exercises have direct applications in
self-defense.
Being able to perform martial arts techniques requires good muscular
development. It is well to remember that physical well being does not appear
as if by magic after a week or a month of training. We know from experience
that beginning students listen attentively to fundamental instructions,
hoping to progress quickly to advanced combat forms. This is a mistake.
The foundation must be laid first and the superstructure built by degrees.
There is even danger in undertaking advanced training before the preliminaries
have been mastered. For those who take the steps in sequence and
train properly, the rewards are perfect physical development and proficiency
in techniques.
Maximum-Efficiency National Physical Education has been designed to
appeal to the public of all ages. Practicing the movements is an ideal way to
warm up before doing randori or practicing kata and to warm down after
practice. By doing so regularly, one strengthens muscles, providing more
power to apply to judo techniques and greatly reducing the risk of injury
during randori. For this reason, I have long recommended the kata, particularly
to beginners, to women and to children under fifteen. Like mastering
falls, it is a fundamental part of judo training, which no beginning judoka
can afford to overlook.
In the Individual Exercises, there are strikes directed against an imaginary
assailant. This is a unique kind of training because the muscles have to
both execute the strike and stop it, there being no actual target. Sufficient
practice will produce muscles that react swiftly and are graceful to look at,
like the musculature seen in ancient Greek athletes. Interestingly, they contrasted
with the later Roman athletes, whose muscles tended to be round
and chunky.
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