Takashi Azuma

2.1. Core Concepts and Philosophy

Kūdō's core tenets revolve around realistic combat with a strong emphasis on safety and practicality. The art integrates diverse martial arts techniques, encompassing the full spectrum of real fighting scenarios. This includes stand-up striking with head punches, elbows, and headbutts, combined with throwing techniques, grappling, and ground fighting, which can involve restraint, joint locks, and chokeholds. The integration of various techniques, originally a hybrid of Kyokushin Karate and Judo, later expanded to include elements from boxing, muay thai, jujitsu, and wrestling. This broad approach aims to overcome the limitations of single-style combat, offering a more complete and adaptable fighting system. Protective gear is central to its practicality, allowing for full-contact techniques, particularly hand strikes to the head, while providing sufficient protection.

2.2. Dojo Kun

The Dōjō kun (道場訓_{Dōjō kun}^Japanese), or training hall rules, are ethical and philosophical principles that guide Kūdō practitioners. These rules are typically displayed at the entrance or front (正面_shōmen^Japanese) of a dojo, outlining expected behavior and prohibited actions. The Kūdō Dōjō kun emphasizes character development and positive societal contribution, stating:
Through the pursuit of Kudo,
we develop great physical and mental strength,
educate ourselves and gain intelligence,
and bond with people and enrich our emotions.
Therefore, we shall be able to cultivate our personalities
and become positively contributing members of society.

3.1. Takashi Azuma: Founder's Early Life and Vision

Takashi Azuma (東孝_{Azuma Takashi}^Japanese), born on May 22, 1949, in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, was the visionary founder of Kūdō and the President of the Kudo International Federation. He held a 9th degree black belt in Kūdō, a 9th degree black belt in Kyokushin Budokai (awarded by Jon Bluming), and a 3rd degree black belt in Kodokan Judo.

3.2. Establishment of Daido Juku and Kakutō Karate

The Daido Juku organization officially began operations on February 17, 1981. The first dojo, named "Karate-do Daidojuku," was opened in Miyagi Prefecture. The martial arts style developed within the organization was initially known as Kakutō Karate (格闘空手_{Kakutō Karate}^Japanese, "Fighting Karate") or Combat Karate Daidojuku. In the same year, Daidojuku's practitioners made their competitive debut at the "1981 Hokutoki Karate Championships."

A fundamental principle behind Daido Juku was the creation of a realistic and versatile fighting style that incorporated effective offensive and defensive techniques across various ranges. This early development was a hybrid of Kyokushin Karate and Judo, using Kyokushin as a base but with dramatically altered regulations. The style aimed to transcend the boundaries of a single discipline, integrating techniques such as head punches, elbows, headbutts, throws, and joint locks from Judo, along with other ground fighting techniques. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the style expanded to include techniques from boxing, muay thai, jujitsu, and wrestling, all integrated under the Daidojuku framework. Crucially, protective clothing was introduced, which allowed hand techniques to the head while providing sufficient protection during kicking techniques.

Daido Juku played a significant role in the martial arts boom in Japan during the late 1980s and early 1990s, standing out as one of the few organizations promoting mixed martial arts at the time. It is credited with helping popularize major promotions like K-1 and the "U-series" promotions within the Japanese mainstream. Notably, Minoki Ichihara, a Kakuto Karate practitioner from Daidojuku, became the first Japanese fighter to compete in the UFC, fighting at UFC 2 when many Japanese martial arts organizations were hesitant to engage with the nascent UFC. However, Ichihara was defeated by Royce Gracie.

In the 1990s, Daido Juku hosted its own kickboxing events called THE WARS, which featured a "gloved" ruleset for full-contact karate and showcased the organization's top talents. During this period, there was considerable media anticipation for a "dream confrontation" between Kenichi Osada, Daido Juku's ace fighter, and Masaaki Satake of Seidokaikan. Daido Juku athletes frequently appeared on the covers of various martial arts magazines, solidifying Daidojuku's position alongside Seidokaikan as a leading force in Japanese martial arts. In 1995, the association officially changed its name from "Karate Do Daidojuku" to the "Kakuto Karate International Federation Daidojuku" (KKIF).

3.3. Evolution to Kūdō and International Recognition

From the mid-1990s onward, Daido Juku shifted its focus away from media-centric promotion and returned to its foundational goal of developing a "safe yet practical" fighting style. This culminated in 2001, when Takashi Azuma, the founder and president of Daidojuku, held an official press conference to announce that the style promoted by Daidojuku would henceforth be known as Kūdō. This marked its official recognition as a distinct budō martial art. The relationship between the Daido Juku school and Kūdō mirrors that between the Kodokan Judo Institute and Judo, signifying Kūdō's formalized status within the martial arts world. In the same year, Daidojuku successfully launched the first Kūdō World Championship competition, propelling the art onto the international stage.

Based on the philosophy of budō, Kūdō has expanded globally. All Kūdō instructors and leaders worldwide are certified and registered under the Kudo International Federation (K.I.F.), the governing body for the sport. The K.I.F. distinguishes itself by operating as a social and physical education organization, receiving support from governmental bodies like the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology for its activities.

4.1. Equipment

Kūdō athletes, known as kudoka, wear an official uniform called a "dogi" or "kudogi." This uniform is similar to a judo gi in its resistance to throwing techniques but features shorter sleeves than a traditional karate gi, making it ideal for gripping and throwing maneuvers. Kūdō practitioners commonly wear white and blue dogi for easy identification during competition.

For safety during training and competition, all athletes are required to wear specific protective gear:

• A dogi (uniform).
• Headgear, which includes a special K.I.F.-approved Plexiglas visor designed to protect fighters from severe facial damage and brain trauma.
• A kudo bandage.
• A mouthguard.
• K.I.F.-approved gloves that protect the knuckles but leave the fingers free and uncovered to allow for grappling techniques.

For underage athletes, additional protective gear is mandatory:

• In addition to the dogi, Plexiglas helmet, and gloves, minors must wear shin guards and a bodice.
• Regulations regarding the protection of underage athletes may vary slightly between different tournaments.

4.2. Combat Categories

Kūdō employs a distinctive system for categorizing athletes, based not solely on weight but on a "physical index" (PI). The physical index is calculated as the sum of an athlete's weight in kilograms plus their height in centimeters. This unique categorization system aims to promote fair competition by considering an athlete's overall physicality, as height can provide an advantage in terms of reach over long distances.

The combat categories based on the physical index are:

4.3. Regulations

Kūdō competitions adhere to a set of definitive base rules, with individual tournaments often incorporating their own specific rules that remain rooted in these core regulations. The regulations used at Kūdō World Championships include the following:

• Ground fighting is limited to two instances per match, each lasting no more than thirty seconds.
• Blows to the back and private parts are strictly prohibited.
• Competitions are held on a tatami mat measuring 43 ft ^{(13 m)} by 43 ft ^{(13 m)}, with an internal fighting area demarcated by a 30 ft ^{(9 m)} by 30 ft ^{(9 m)} square.
• During a match, there are four referees positioned at the corners of the contest area, in addition to one referee inside the tatami.

Points are awarded based on the strength and effectiveness of techniques, rather than mere execution. The scoring system emphasizes how much the opponent felt the impact of a blow, reflecting the practicality of the strike. The point values range from 1 to 8, with specific terms for each level:

• Koka (有効_Kōka^Japanese): 1 point
• Yuko (有効_Yūkō^Japanese): 2 points
• Wazari (技あり_Waza-ari^Japanese): 4 points
• Ippon (一本_Ippon^Japanese): 8 points (an immediate victory)

Victory in a Kūdō match can be achieved through several methods:

• Scoring 8 points (Ippon).
• Submission or choke-out.
• A knockout.
• By decision based on which fighter has accumulated more points by the end of the match.

In the event of a tie, the outcome is determined either by a referee's decision or by engaging in another match.

5.1. International Spread and Growth

Kūdō maintains over 100 dojo locations in Japan and is practiced in more than 50 countries worldwide. Notably, despite being a Japanese-created martial art, Russia currently boasts the largest number of Kūdō athletes, surpassing the number of practitioners in Japan.

The development of Kūdō in Russia has been particularly robust:

• In 1991, the first Daido Juku karate-do section in Russia was opened in Vladivostok.
• Following a visit by founder Takashi Azuma to Moscow, a foreign branch of the Kudo Federation was established there.
• On July 7, 1994, the Moscow Federation of Daido Juku Karate-do was officially registered by the Moscow Justice Department.
• In May 1994, Moscow hosted the Moscow Cup, which marked the first international Daido Juku tournament held in Russia.
• Russian athletes achieved their first victory in Japan in 1996, when Alexey Kononenko secured first place in his weight category.
• The Russian Kudo Federation was officially established in 2004.
• Since 2001, the official Russian Championship in Kūdō has been held annually. In the inaugural year, Russian athletes earned two gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.
• In 2003, Russian Kūdō practitioners led the refereeing team at the 2nd international tournament "Baltic States Open Cup," which featured athletes from Russia, Japan, the Baltic countries, Azerbaijan, Italy, Germany, and Poland.
• The 1st Kudo World Cup was hosted in Moscow in 2011.
• On January 13, 2013, Roman Anashkin achieved the rank of 6th dan in Kūdō, becoming the first non-Japanese practitioner to attain such a high degree.

5.2. Exchange with Other Martial Arts Organizations

During the 1990s, prior to the official conception of Kūdō, Daido Juku actively engaged in talent exchanges with numerous other martial arts organizations, a practice that ceased after Kūdō became a distinct style. In this period, Daidojuku had formal agreements with Submission Arts Wrestling (SAW) and subsequently interacted with entities involved in Wushu, Sanshou, Aikido, Paraestra, and Hatenkai. Furthermore, selected fighters from Daidojuku participated in competitions organized by other martial arts promotions, such as RISE. Historically, Daidojuku also engaged in competitive exchanges with organizations like Nippon Kempo and Shooto. The organization has also seen clashes with practitioners of Muay Thai, Sanshou, and Taekwondo.

5.3. Takashi Azuma's Official Roles and Contributions

Takashi Azuma held significant public appointments and made notable contributions to the broader martial arts world. He served as the Director of both the Kudo International Federation and the All Japan Kudo Federation. A prominent role was his appointment as the head coach for the Sanda Japanese national team at the 2008 Beijing Wushu Tournament, which was held concurrently with the 2008 Summer Olympics and approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). During this tournament, Kazunari Sasazawa of Daido Juku competed, and both Azuma and Sasazawa were affiliated with the Tokyo Wushu Sanshou Club for the event.

7.1. Published Works

Takashi Azuma authored several books that delve into his theories on martial arts and the development of Kūdō:

• Hamidashi Karate (はみだし空手_{Hamidashi Karate}^Japanese) (1982, Fukushodo): This work explores his early concepts related to breaking away from traditional karate limitations.
• Kakuto Karate (格闘空手_{Kakutō Karate}^Japanese) (1983, Fukushodo)
• Kakuto Karate 2 (格闘空手2_{Kakutō Karate Tsū}^Japanese) (1986, Fukushodo)
• Oi Masaaki! (オーイ まさぁーき！_{Ōi Masaaki!}^Japanese) (2001, Bungeisha)
• Hamidashi Karate Kara Kudo e (はみだし空手から空道へ_{Hamidashi Karate Kara Kūdō e}^Japanese, "From Hamidashi Karate to Kūdō") (2002, Fukushodo)
• Kudo Nyumon (空道入門_{Kūdō Nyūmon}^Japanese, "Introduction to Kūdō") (Baseball Magazine Sha)

7.2. Film Appearances

Takashi Azuma also made appearances in martial arts-related films, providing a public face for his influence beyond the dojo:

• Karate Brawlers: Kyokushin Fist (けんか空手 極真拳_{Kenka Karate Kyokushinken}^Japanese) (1975, Toei): In this film, he appeared as an opponent of Mas Oyama (portrayed by Sonny Chiba) in the All Japan Karate-do Championship semifinals.
• Ground Strongest Karate series (地上最強のカラテシリーズ_{Chijō Saikyō no Karate Shirīzu}^Japanese): He appeared as himself in this series, including:
  • Strongest and Last Karate (最強最後のカラテ_{Saikyō Saigo no Karate}^Japanese) (1980, Sankyo Eiga).

9.1. Death

Takashi Azuma died on April 3, 2021, at 2:35 PM (JST) due to stomach cancer, at the age of 71. Following his death, the position of President of Daido Juku was officially transferred to Kenichi Osada.

9.2. Historical Assessment and Succession

Takashi Azuma is historically assessed as a pioneering figure in the world of martial arts, particularly for his innovative creation of Kūdō. His vision to move beyond the limitations of traditional full-contact karate, especially concerning head injuries and disadvantages for smaller fighters, led to the development of a hybrid combat sport that emphasized both safety through protective gear and practical, versatile techniques. Kūdō, under his leadership, transformed from an experimental fighting style into a globally recognized budō martial art. His contributions paved the way for a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to martial arts competition. The continuation of Daido Juku and the Kudo International Federation under the leadership of Kenichi Osada after Azuma's passing ensures the ongoing legacy and development of the art he founded.