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Kodomo-no-Kata

Prologue

Joshō

The journey begins before any throw. The Prologue teaches how to wear the judogi and line up your footwear, how to bow, the natural and defensive postures, every basic breakfall, the first footwork and how to move and turn safely. Master this and the rest of the kata has a foundation to stand on.

What you'll learn

  • Wear the judogi correctly and respect dojo etiquette.
  • Perform the standing and seated bows.
  • Fall safely in every direction.
  • Move and turn on the mat while keeping balance.

Watch this level

Techniques in this level

  • Ritsurei

    Standing bow

    Etiquette

    The standing bow, performed when stepping on and off the mat and to your partner. Respect opens and closes every practice.

  • Zarei

    Seated bow

    Etiquette

    The formal kneeling bow from seiza, used at the very start and end of the kata.

  • Ushiro-ukemi

    Rear breakfall

    Breakfalls

    Round the back, tuck the chin to the chest and slap the mat with both arms. The very first safety skill.

  • Yoko-ukemi

    Side breakfall

    Breakfalls

    Fall to one side and slap with the matching arm, protecting the head and elbow.

  • Outen-ukemi

    Rolling to the side breakfall

    Breakfalls

    Roll across the shoulders to the side, used from low and kneeling positions.

  • Mae-ukemi

    Front breakfall

    Breakfalls

    Catch a forward fall on the forearms, keeping the face and knees off the mat.

  • Mae-mawari-ukemi

    Forward rolling breakfall

    Breakfalls

    Roll diagonally across the back and come up to your feet — a smooth roll, never a flop.

  • Ayumi-ashi

    Natural walking

    Footwork

    Ordinary walking steps used to move across the mat while staying balanced.

  • Tsugi-ashi

    Shuffle stepping

    Footwork

    Shuffle steps where the feet never cross, keeping a stable base while moving.

  • Mae-sabaki

    Front shifting

    Body control

    Stepping in to face the same direction as Uke while keeping your balance.

  • Ushiro-sabaki

    Rear shifting

    Body control

    Stepping back to open the angle needed for a throw.

  • Mae-mawari-sabaki

    Turning to the front

    Body control

    A forward pivot that sets up forward throws.

  • Ushiro-mawari-sabaki

    Turning to the rear

    Body control

    A backward pivot that creates the entry for a throw.

Full curriculum

Reiho

Etiquette

English

  • Standing bow (Ritsurei)
  • Seated bow (Zarei)

Remarks

  • Performed as a pair, kata style — the seated bow from seiza.

Shizentai

Natural posture

English

  • Straight natural posture (Shizenhontai)
  • Defensive posture (Jigotai)

Remarks

  • Practised to the left and to the right.

Ukemi

Breakfalls

English

  • Rear breakfall (Ushiro-ukemi)
  • Side breakfall (Yoko-ukemi)
  • Rolling to the side breakfall (Outen-ukemi)
  • Front breakfall (Mae-ukemi)
  • Forward rolling breakfall (Mae-mawari-ukemi)
  • Paired rear and forward rolling breakfalls

Remarks

  • Built up gradually — from supine and kneeling, then to each side, then with a partner.

Shintai-dosa

Basic footwork

English

  • Natural walking (Ayumi-ashi)
  • Shuffle stepping (Tsugi-ashi)

Remarks

  • Gripped up, forward–back and to the side.

Kumi-kata

Gripping

English

  • Taking the grip

Remarks

  • Forwards and back.

Ugoki-kata

Free movement

English

  • Moving freely with a partner

Remarks

  • To the side and circular.

Tai-sabaki

Body control

English

  • Front shifting (Mae-sabaki)
  • Rear shifting (Ushiro-sabaki)
  • Turning to the front (Mae-mawari-sabaki)
  • Turning to the rear (Ushiro-mawari-sabaki)

Remarks

  • Performed without gripping up throughout.

Practice checklist

Tick off each piece as you practise it — your progress is saved on this device.

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Take it with you

Download the guide (PDF)