Kosen Judo was a refinement of Kodokan Judo that was developed and flourished at the Koto senmon gakko technical colleges in Japan in the first half of the twentieth century. Kosen Judo's competition rules allowed for greater emphasis of ne-waza (ground techniques) than in mainstream judo and it is sometimes regarded as a distinct style of judo. Today, the term Kosen Judo is frequently used to refer to the competition ruleset associated with it that allows for extended ne-waza. Such competition rules are still used in the shichitei judo and nanatei judo competitions held annually between the seven former Imperial Universities.
Kosen is an abbreviation of Koto senmon gakko, literally 'Higher Speciality School', and refers to the Colleges of Technology in Japan that cater for students from age 15 to 20. The Kosen schools started holding inter-collegiate judo competitions from 1914. The rules of a Kosen judo match were mainly Dai Nippon Butokukai and Kodokan rules prior to 1925 changes. However, the differed in that they asserted the right of competitors to enter groundwork however they wished and to remain in it as long as they wanted. The rules allowed for a more tactical style of newaza to develop and the style was developed under the influence of judokas like Tsunetane Oda and Hajime Isogai.
Unlike mainstream Kodokan competition rules, Kosen rules allowed hikikomi (pulling-in), enabling competitors to transition to ne-waza by dragging their opponent down without using a recognised nage-waza (analogous to pulling-guard). This was exploited by some teams that matched their less skilled students against the more skilled students of the rival teams, aiming at a draw in ne-waza. To achieve victory under the judo rules of the time the judoka had to score ippon as there were no intermediate scores, or a draw was declared at the referee's discretion.
The changes made to the mainstream Kodokan competition rules made in 1925 were largely a reaction to Kosen competition's emphasis on ne-waza. As opposed to earlier ruleset, transition to groundwork was limited by much stricter rules and by 1929, yusei-gachi rule was introduced to end draws in matches. However, Kosen schools continued to hold interscholastic tournaments with former rules.
Differently to modern Judo rules leglocks were allowed. Leglocks started being prohibited by Kodokan rules in 1914 in shiai and randori as well. By 1925 all joint-locks except elbow locks were totally prohibited together with neck cranks. Kosen rules being the Kodokan rules derivative did not allow leglocks absolutely.
Kosen judo, as a distinct style focusing training towards the Kosen ruleset, flourished in the Kyoto region until around 1940. The style and the peculiar ruleset is still studied for "Seven Imperials Judo" (shichitei judo / nanatei judo) tournaments of (former) Imperial Universities and is taught especially in Kyoto.
There has been a resurgence in interest in Kosen Judo in recent years due to its similarities with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
27 сен 2024
