FOUNDER: AZUMA TAKASHI
What is KUDO?
Kudo is a mixed Budo sport comprising full contact punches, kicks, throwing, and submission techniques on the ground. Kudo has its origins in Kakuto Karate (Combat Karate), but It is not just a mixed fighting with emphasis on competition side. It is a life-long sport, system for youth education, method of self-defence and health maintenance for adults. Along with this elements it stresses the “Reigi” or respect and etiquette in its tradition. In this sense it is a “Modern Budo” that has already spread in more then 60 countries around the world.
One of the purposes of martial arts, especially BUDO (Judo, Karate-do, Kendo, Aikido, “Kudo” and so on) is to train the mind and body to become strong and utilize that strength for the improvement of our community *As is well known, the word “do” in Budo means “a way of life” Also it is a useful method of cultivating the youth who will contribute to the society through the tough times and events in their life. Nowadays, education for the youth in the world is on the verge of decay. Budo is, we can dare to say, a vital “tool” to discipline them and a guide even in ourselves. So we have to evade being misunderstood about the value of “Budo” due to bad impression that mere martial arts are to give people as “violence without philosophy”.
Choosing this philosophical word “KU” as our motto/idea, we name this Budo, “KUDO”
(KU) means three
important philosophical concepts
1. Mujou kan
A view of life/world as something transient and empty” In other words, anything that has a shape be crushed or changed in its form someday .(Therefore it is no good for us to attached or obsessed by things)
2. Sougo izon
Interdependency ”All things exist only because they depend on each other (Therefore one should not be Self righteousness, or self-conceited)
Above mentioned two idea lead to following third one
3. Huhen Huto
Open mind, impartiality, liberalism "We can gain all things if we try to do so earnestly, but in order to be free, we should never persist with them, even day by day affaires, separating ourselves from prejudice, bias and so on. This perspective may be expressed “Open-Mindism (Grand master Azuma’s Original term) ” but It never means the way of “Self-centred”, “egoistical” but “Open mind with generous, humble heart in robust belief” So for those who choose “Kudo” as Budo of our life, should think much of these three words. That is to say, if we meet any kind of difficulties we must face them positively and never evade without challenge against them in order to gain the ultimate, highest truth.