Kosen Judo: Judo's Ground Game Specialists and BJJ's Forgotten Relative?

In the vast world of grappling arts, Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) stand as dominant forces. Judo, known for its explosive throws and powerful pins, and BJJ, celebrated for its intricate ground fighting and submission prowess, often seem like distinct disciplines. But delve a little deeper into Judo's history, and you'll find a fascinating branch known as Kosen Judo, a style whose emphasis on groundwork bears a striking resemblance to modern BJJ.

So, what exactly is Kosen Judo, and how does it relate to the BJJ we know today? Let's take a trip back in time.

A Glimpse into History: The Rise of Kosen Judo

Judo, founded by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century, aimed to be a comprehensive system of physical, mental, and moral development (jita kyoei - mutual welfare and benefit). Early Kodokan Judo included a significant amount of ne-waza (ground techniques) alongside tachi-waza (standing techniques).

The term "Kosen" (高専) refers to the Koto Senmon Gakko, specialized technical high schools or colleges in pre-WWII Japan. These schools developed their own unique inter-collegiate Judo competitions starting around 1914. Crucially, the Kosen Judo ruleset differed significantly from the mainstream Kodokan rules that were evolving simultaneously.

The Key Difference: Emphasis on Ne-waza

The Kosen competition rules heavily favoured groundwork. Key aspects included:

1. Unlimited Ground Time: Unlike standard Judo rules which limit groundwork time unless progress is being made, Kosen rules allowed contests to continue on the ground indefinitely.

2. Pulling Guard Allowed: Competitors could transition directly to ground fighting without necessarily scoring with a throw first. This is a major departure from typical Judo strategy.

3. Winning Conditions: Victory could be achieved by submission (kansetsu-waza - joint locks, shime-waza - chokes) or by holding a pin (osaekomi-waza) for 30 seconds. If no submission or pin occurred within the time limit, the match was often declared a draw (hikiwake).

This ruleset naturally led Kosen practitioners to become highly specialized in ne-waza. They developed intricate transitions, sweeps, submissions, and defensive postures specifically designed for prolonged ground engagements. Famous Judo figures like Tsunetane Oda and Hajime Isogai were influential in developing and teaching these ground techniques, which formed the bedrock of Kosen Judo practice.

While mainstream Judo increasingly emphasized the spectacular throws (tachi-waza) suitable for Olympic competition and broader appeal, Kosen Judo kept the flame of deep ne-waza burning brightly within its specific competitive environment. Though the Kosen system itself changed after WWII, the specialized groundwork knowledge persisted, particularly at universities like Kyoto University, which continued the tradition.

The Family Resemblance: Similarities between Kosen Judo and BJJ

Anyone watching footage of old Kosen Judo matches or training sessions will immediately notice similarities to BJJ:

1. Focus on Ground Fighting (Ne-waza): This is the most obvious connection. Both arts dedicate the vast majority of their technical study and sparring time to fighting on the ground.

2. Shared Techniques: Many core techniques are virtually identical: armbars (juji gatame), triangle chokes (sankaku jime), rear naked chokes (hadaka jime), Kimura/Ude Garami locks, various pins (kesa gatame, yoko shiho gatame), and guard passing concepts.

3. Emphasis on Leverage and Technique: Both arts embody the principle of using leverage, positioning, and timing to overcome larger, stronger opponents.

4. Direct Lineage (via Maeda): Mitsuyo Maeda, a Kodokan Judo expert proficient in ne-waza (and likely influenced by the developing groundwork focus even before Kosen formally solidified), travelled the world giving demonstrations and accepting challenges. He eventually settled in Brazil and taught Carlos Gracie Sr., laying the foundation for what would evolve into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The groundwork Maeda taught undoubtedly contained the DNA of early Kodokan and Kosen-style Judo ne-waza.

   
   

Distinct Identities: Differences between Kosen Judo and BJJ

Despite the strong similarities and shared ancestry, Kosen Judo and BJJ are distinct entities:

1. Ruleset and Goal: Kosen Judo remained fundamentally Judo. While ground-focused, the ultimate goal often still related back to Judo's core pins or submissions recognized within its framework. BJJ developed its own unique point system heavily rewarding positional dominance (mount, back control, side control, guard passing) alongside submissions. The path to victory and strategic priorities differ significantly.

2. Standing Game: Kosen Judoka were still Judoka; they trained throws and needed some standing proficiency, even if they preferred to go to the ground quickly. BJJ, while acknowledging takedowns, often sees competitors pull guard immediately, bypassing the standing phase almost entirely. The depth and emphasis on tachi-waza are far greater even in Kosen Judo than in typical BJJ competition.

3. Evolution and Innovation: BJJ has continuously evolved, particularly in the last 30 years, creating complex guard systems (De La Riva, Spider Guard, Berimbolo, Leg Locks etc.) that were not present in historical Kosen Judo. Kosen Judo represents a specific historical ruleset and technical emphasis within Judo, while BJJ is a living, breathing art constantly incorporating new techniques and strategies driven by global competition.

4. Scope: Kosen Judo is a specialized ruleset within the broader art of Judo. BJJ is recognized as a distinct martial art in its own right, with its own governing bodies, belt ranking systems (similar but distinct from Judo's), and a massive global following separate from Judo organizations.

5. Gi vs. No-Gi: While Kosen Judo is exclusively practiced in the traditional Judogi, BJJ has spawned a hugely popular parallel discipline: No-Gi grappling, which has its own distinct techniques and strategies adapted for the lack of grips on clothing.

   
   

Why Kosen Judo Still Matters

Understanding Kosen Judo provides valuable context for both Judo and BJJ practitioners:

• For Judoka: It highlights the rich history of ne-waza within Judo and offers a pathway to deepen their groundwork skills beyond what is typically emphasized in modern Olympic-style training.

• For BJJ Practitioners: It illuminates the roots of their art, showcasing that sophisticated groundwork existed within Judo long before BJJ's explosion in popularity. It connects BJJ back to its Judo lineage through Maeda and the specialized ne-waza focus exemplified by Kosen.

Kosen Judo serves as a fascinating bridge, a testament to the depth and adaptability of Judo principles, and a crucial piece of the puzzle in understanding the evolution of modern grappling. It's not quite BJJ, and it's not quite mainstream Judo, but its legacy is undeniably woven into the fabric of both.

So next time you're rolling on the mats, whether training Judo or BJJ, remember the Kosen specialists – the ground-fighting ghosts from Judo's past who paved the way for much of the ground game we cherish today.

What are your thoughts? Have you trained in a style influenced by Kosen Judo, or do you see the connections in your own BJJ or Judo practice? Share your insights in the comments below!

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