Sport and Culture:

Judo

Judo is a Japanese martial art known for Nage-Waza (throwing techniques). It is a form of wrestling. Judo consist of 2/3 Tachi-Waza (stand-up) and 1/3 Ne-Waza (ground). Judo came from Japanese Ju-Jutsu, the art of the ancient Samurai from Japan. Judo focus mostly on stand-up combat. To learn Judo is to learn body movement, grip fighting, and balance breaking in order to execute a throw or submission.

Judo evolved from Japan's ancient martial arts, and its fundamental spirit is expressed by the phrase, "Rei ni hajimari, rei ni owaru" (Beginning and ending with a bow of respect).

The John Wick franchise contributed to my interest and eventual participation in Judo. The franchise demonstrate the significance of wrestling/grappling since time immemorial in human history. Moreover, it illustrates the effectiveness of Judo as it relates to armed combat. Lastly, a good quote from the franchise is one said by the Marquis de Gramont, "My father used to say, how you do anything is how you do everything. Called it the first and the last rule of life."

Ancient Rome

Read about Ancient Rome, its early history and culture.