Judo: Isao Okano O Soto Gari

Okano's unique o-soto-gari is an example of a pure technique throw. Amazing.
These few luck western Judoka who got the chance to train with Okano are mostly unidentified but thanks to contributors we're getting to name a few:
Roger Cadière: The big guy by the end of the Video is a 6th degree black-belt professor of self-defense traditional ju-jutsu and also a Judo instructor for Judo Sport Rochelais (location: Cacaud 17000 La Rochelle).

[@joshgates81]

thank you so much!! shows how the modern osoto gari is all out of whack. in this "dynamic" osoto gari he acutually steps back and drives with his back foot instead of stepping to the side. A++ uchi komi!! thanks again awesome vid!

[@drutgat2]

Many thanks for posting this.

[@numberJ5]

I met this guy. At his now advanced age he is still a really strong and intense person.

[@loudenvier]

My sensei is Georges Mehdi, he lived together with Isao Okano when both of them attended university together. Mehdi's Judo is much influenced by Okano, who he considers the greatest Judoka/Judoist of all time. That's probably why he teaches us o-soto-gari using the upper leg, passing the hip deeply, reaping with the thigh (sorry again for confusing o-soto-guruma with o-guruma, it's probably because judonerd mentioned harai-goshi sometimes confused with o-guruma)

[@loudenvier]

Remember that this is Isao Okano, the greatest Judoka of all time. He won the All Japan Championship 3 times despite weighting only 75kg. This feat was never done before nor after Okano. In the complete footage he also did his trademark morote-seoi-nage, just a little more frequently than this o-soto, so I guess he may have used this in actual competition, but just less frequently than his unstopable seoi

[@squooge]

Funkiest entry into osoto I've seen. Must try it!

[@SpawnofHastur]

Another factor is that Isao retired from professional Judo at the age of 25, while Mifune and Kimura kept on competing for quite a while after that. Because we only have examples of Isao in his prime, while Mifune and Kimura have examples later in life (Mifune toppled that sumo at forty, for example), it is even harder.

[@ArneSostack]

(contd) What I did find is that this o soto gari feels a lot more related to the o uchi gari as I was taught it than the o soto gari I used to do. I think that's a good thing, really. Especially the chassé-like step where you replace the front (throwing) foot with the back foot. That's what I was taught to do in o uchi. Also, with the sweeping, circular movement, they become much closer, like brothers instead of second cousins.

[@ArneSostack]

(contd.) Back when I was a kid (I trained ju jitsu 20 years ago, recently started again after a 10 year break), I was taught to do the reaping in o-soto-gari with lower leg against lower leg, which is probably why I think this looks more like o-soto-guruma, in which I'd (when I get back in shape) turn the hip more and swing the leg back to get both legs, upper leg against upper leg.

[@kylesteinhauser2535]

Great version of o soto gari. I will be trying this one tomorrow in class.

[@loudenvier]

Mehdi sensei also tells us to do this "scythe-like" move when doing harai-goshi, and he says that the reaping leg in o-soto-gari should work like the reaping leg in uchi-mata: "it's just like doing an uchimata to the other direction!"

[@loudenvier]

In fact, although his left foot goes to the back of his right foot he is always stepping forward, but not to the side... when completing the throw he sometimes jump on his own supporting foot and only then it is positioned to the side of uke... no matter it is always a devastating throw... And the kusuzhi? simply perfect!!!

[@SpawnofHastur]

I got the name from The King In Yellow, but it was then used by H.P. Lovecraft and has since spread widely into almost all of literature. Mifune was an incredible technician; I really enjoy the story of him throwing a sumo wrestler over twice his weight with sumi-otoshi because that shows the supreme amount of skill he must have had. While it is difficult to compare them, I do think that if they had randori together, it'd be hard to say who'd come out on top.

[@killersalmon4359]

That's a great entry into o-soto! I'm gonna try it the next time I randori!

[@swiftjeff]

Wow! Fantastic vid! Okano got o soto gari down perfectly, I wish I could be as smooth as that. I wonder if the guy that appeared to try to throw him seoi nage at :32 really messed it up or if that was for demonstration...

[@Dudongo86]

It makes wants go trainning Judo again.

[@loudenvier]

@TEAMJUJITSU Thanks for the information. I'll update the description to reference Roger Cadière participation in the randori with Okano. Thanks!

[@wolfensden]

beautiful.

[@ArneSostack]

(contd.) Anyway, like I said, I'm not really a judoka, but our jiu jitsu club does have quite a bit of focus on nage-waza. I found this discussion very interesting, so thank you very much!

[@kalikaputra]

wow great vid

[@ArneSostack]

I was suggesting this mostly based on the way I learned o-soto-guruma - like o-soto-gari but with turning the hip further and reaping across both legs. If you want to see what I mean, check out my (only) video, the second throw I make. It may not be the best example since the video was made after a month's break and I's feeling rather sluggish. Also, I'm just a green belt (sankyu) in jiu jitsu, and our nage-waza training is based on Kawaishi's system.

[@MrFish346]

nice its like uchi mata turn in!

[@ArneSostack]

I've been thinking a lot about this technique lately, and finally got to try it out last night. Sadly, no video of the results - maybe next time ;)

[@ArneSostack]

That sounds pretty sensible. I'm definately going to try out the difference next training. I've been thinking a bit about the translation of gari - reaping. It makes me think of a circular motion, like the one you'd make with a scythe when reaping crops. My sensei was trying to get me to do o uchi gari with a circular motion rather than just swipe the leg with a backwards motion. Maybe that'll help my o soto as well. Something to experiment with for sure.

[@loudenvier]

I've confirmed his Kodokan rank. He was Shichidan (7th dan) when he died. In Judo it's not only the athletics that matter, it's expected that the judoist have complete understanding of the principles, techniques, history and traditions of judo. The behavior outside the dojo is also important. That said, there's also the politics side of this. Kimura wasn't in good terms with the very people that could give him ranks (he refused to give back the All Japan championship flag).

[@MongPhu]

Isao Okano is awesome. I have one of his book and I read it like a Bible

[@ArneSostack]

Rereading your comment, we may have a difference in naming - what you're describing, I'd simply call o-guruma, which'd be a koshi-waza throw.

[@loudenvier]

Kimura's o-soto-gari is very different than Okano's. Okano's o-soto-gari has the feel of harai-goshi sometimes, while Kimura's o-soto-gari is much more "classical". In the end, both did superb o-soto-gari's...

[@loudenvier]

@pjmalamo You're welcome!

[@WAPticon]

I assume because of the opponent blocking or stiff arming on your entry to osoto... If so, notice how his body twists as he pulls the hikite and enters shoulder to shoulder, it has helped my osoto

[@loudenvier]

Yes, that's how his o-soto was defined... But it is definitely an o-soto-gari because of the direction uke falls, but his body position seems a bit (or a lot) like harai-goshi, but I think it's not the hips that are at work to complete the throw... which brings us to ArneSostack comment: is this like o-soto-guruma?

[@joshgates81]

OKANO!!!!!

[@loudenvier]

@FartJokeResearchLabs The translation to "gentle way" or arte-suave is something that started mostly with the Gracies (I'm Brazilian, writing this response directly from Rio de Janeiro in the middle of Carnival! Am I crazy??? :-) By the way, you should come to Brazil in Carnival, you'll go crazy!!!) They got many things from Judo without knowing the deep reasoning/meanings behind and they had to discover/reinvent many things themselves, even the meanings of their art!

[@eamonob84]

a lot of the throws and locks in jujutsu were done for the purpose of exposing a vital area for attacking with the small sword.

[@SoundwaveSuperior373]

now im a striker but judo got me really interested in grapplin

[@kcsskillacan]

That is damm sexy. Quite an amazing entry and finish!

[@loudenvier]

I don't think it's anything like o-soto-guruma: in o-soto-guruma, the big wheel, uke is thrown over the hips of tori, in a grand circular motion, much like if he was running and had hit a fence, tumbling over it (the fence is tori's hip). In this o-soto-gari the direction of the throw and uke's falling pattern makes it very different from o-soto-guruma.

[@vitorshaolin]

how does Kimura rank in Judo?

[@FartJokeResearchLabs]

@loudenvier If you think jujutsu involved weapons, you are mistaken. Kenjutsu, bojutsu, and other -jutsu arts were the samurai arts that pertained to training with weapons. Jujutsu by definiteion is an unarmed form of combat. Any form of jujutsu you see that trains in weapons is a corrupted blend of the original form. Jujutsu = the gentle way = not killing a peasant with a sword, but disarming them using your hands or body.

[@loudenvier]

That's why my answer was completely evasive!!! :-) :-) :-)

[@loudenvier]

@jonezysan I don't know. There is at least 4 different uke in this whole video. One is certainly Roger Cadière, and he is certainly not Brazilian. The other Brazilian that comes to my mind would be my own sensei George Mehdi, who considers and is considered as family by Okano sensei, but no one looks like Mehdi in the video, but maybe he was too young for me to spot him out... I don't know of another Brazilian (and even Mehdi is only naturalized Brazilian) that could be in Japan at the time...

[@ArneSostack]

Interesting - I'd expect the harai movement to be more of a linear movement. I (try to) do harai goshi by swinging the leg in a straight line, just like in de-ashi-harai I swing my leg in a straight line from outside to inside. I was trying to make the movements fit to the naming of the throw, I guess.

[@ArneSostack]

I'll give you that what he's doing is obviously aimed at the nearer leg. At least it's obvious in the second-to-last throw in the clip. In that one, though, it doesn't seem like he's turning his hip as much as he does in the non-randori demonstrations - it's more like a "classic" o-soto-gari, though obviously very well executed.

[@jesus27245]

Power Power !

[@joshgates81]

yeah, thats what i said. not to the side!! classic osoto gari steps to the side. this one is more like a fencers step. driving forward kindofa half harai goshi half classic osoto. foot pointed 90 degrees not to the rear! simply flawless!

[@loudenvier]

@judorican973 I didn't heard about Edson training with Okano. I know that Edson trained with my own sensei. George K. Mehdi, but after his fight with Wallid he had to stop practicing there... I know that he trained in Japan for a time before this unfortunate event with Wallid, maybe he trained with Okano as Mehdi sensei considers Okano as his own brother, and would certainly advise Edson to visit Okano's dojo!

[@loudenvier]

@DuykRuyk Unless it was meant to be sarcastic, and is just lacking a smiley :-), I think it is the opposite. It looks completely effortless. By the time the attacking leg connects with uke's body, uke is already flying high. Compared with another master of o-soto-gari, Masahiko Kimura, Okano's version seems to use no force at all.

[@loudenvier]

I don't think it looks like a tai-otoshi feint. In fact his action on the tsurite-hand (the right hand in the video) is characteristic of tsuri-komi-goshi, and may even look like a feint, but I don't think it is. All of Okano's main waza started with this same motion of the hands, and almost the same stepping pattern, and he could do his tokui-waza seoi-nage, or this o-soto-gari, or ko-uchi-gari and o-uchi-gari without uke anticipating which!

[@kkbighead]

Kimura uses this as well

[@grave7948]

Lol @ at internet nobodies "correcting" a legendary Judoka's technique.

[@loudenvier]

@DuykRuyk Okano was able to use his throws against much, much physically stronger opponents, if he based his throws in too much force, it wouldn't work. He was the only middleweight to date to won the All-Japan Open Championships 3 times. Anyone who goes to Judo expecting "gentleness" when practicing is in for a great surprise. Judo is one of the most demanding arts, being throw relentlessly is VERY VERY HARD. Gentle way is a very, very poor translation.

[@loudenvier]

First, your Hastur came from Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover series? :-) Second, we just can't compare because there was no such high-level competition at Mifune's time like the all japan championship... That said, Mifune is believed to be the greatest technician of all time in Kodokan Judo, but even other contemporaries of him were more effective in shiai. The greatness of Okano lies in he being one of the best technicians in Judo of all time, and certainly the greatest in shiai.

[@loudenvier]

Okano is not God, his o-soto-gari may have issues, although I believe it takes an extraordinarily knowledgeable Judoka to pass judgment on how he does a technique. His supporting leg is always slightly bent as he enters and then it straitens (along with the supporting foot) for added effect. The reaping leg (not blocking leg, this is an error inexperienced and experienced judoka commit) attacks uke's leg at the perfect spot (behind the knee) and reaps in the right, most effective direction.

[@loudenvier]

@DuykRuyk You're referring to his uchikomi!!! It is meant to be an exaggerated move because you can't simply thrown an immovable uke (person subject of the throw) in a moment of opportunity as you can do moving. Anyway Judo principles is not against the use of force. That would be aikido. Judo main principle is the most effective use of force, you must maximize your power by utilizing it effectively. That's why overpowering is frowned upon as the throw would not work on someone stronger.

[@vitorshaolin]

whoat does his drinking problems have to do with my question. he was famous for fighting in Brazil especially the fight against Helio Gracie.

[@loudenvier]

This is an Ad hominen argument and thus a fallacy. If I don't consider an error what you considered as such in one of the most technical judoka of all time this does not tell anything about my professional level, nor yours, it just tells that we differ in opinion regarding this. Okano's way of doing o-soto-gari is based on a speedy entry and his deviations from the "norm" in practice enhance the effectiveness of the throw. Can you use arguments citing timings on the video for accurate reasoning?

[@loudenvier]

Are you really serious about correcting Okano sensei entry into o-soto-gari?!?!? (Just a reminder: he was a 3 time all-japan judo champion, the most difficult open weight Judo championship in the world, while only weighting aroung 75kg. Okano is considered one of the best technicians that ever lived, it is hard to believe anyone on the net could make any constructive criticism about his technique)

[@loudenvier]

I see what you're referring to an error. You're wrong. Okano uses a kind of back-step in the entry and thats what you claimed to be a jump. The staying on his toe as a ballerina is in fact the correct way of doing o-soto-gari (search for Yamashita sensei instructional videos). You must also notice that he does the tsukuri (positioning for the throw) after/simultaneously kuzushi (unbalancing) preventing any opponent from countering him. Pay attention to his hara too, and tell me there's a mistake

[@NZSambo]

Just one error - some times knee to straight in entry phase.

[@WARXDEVILXALAN]

Ohhhh snap that's what I do X)

[@39silver]

i just jizzed in my pants...

[@NZSambo]

and if you not see errors - it is just indicate your professional level.

[@ArneSostack]

A bit like o soto guruma, maybe? Worth trying, I guess ;)

[@NZSambo]

You believe but we know. So it mean: your fantasy v sport science. Guess who would win?

[@judoka1976]

I love this technique but for me is very f^&ing difficult to do in randori.

[@loudenvier]

But when it comes down to politics it also become unjust. Kimura received his 7th dan (shichidan) when he was 30 years old and remained as such for 47 years until his death. Okano sensei (the one in this video), probably the greatest Judoist of all time, is also rokudan (6th dan) for more than 40 years and he clearly deserves, given all possible requirements, the title of kudan (9th dan), but he opposed the Kodokan rulers many times in the past, so... politics again...

[@SpawnofHastur]

While not trying to offend you, but I think Isao would have a lot of competition from Kyuzo Mifune.

[@loudenvier]

If you're referencing to Masahiko Kimura from which the BJJ Kimura came then I'm not sure. He was not a higher rank because he was too much of a trouble-maker in his youth, and drank too much. Not a very political guy... He was amazing as a fighter though. I think he reached 5th dan or 6th... I will ask some knowledgeable sources about his official Kodokan rank.

[@NZSambo]

few times on entry he have jump UP. Elevate his body up he stay on his toes as ballerina. (second 2, 8.53) it is means hi go up make wave, rock his body. I not see any slightly bented knee. May I blind When you rock(jumping up) it is moment you die. If opponent good. If opponent not skill full you may get away with any bushtit. Do I need biomechanicaly explain reason why jumping in entry is not practical and considered as error?

[@DieAlphaEnte]

Ah yeah, thats the good stuff. Its allmost like the fighting skills were divided into styles, one of it happens to be Judo. Combine that with karate striking, some aikido step work and bazzadahazzle: Well rounded Selfdefense. "Pay us three several times please, sincerely Japan"

[@loudenvier]

I guess he was being sarcastic... and very funny indeed (at least I laughed a lot!!!)

[@NZSambo]

One more time: 1. point was made 2. It is not my fantasy but it is scientific research made in USSR 3. In USSR things I talking about is basic of Judo. 4. If you not like and think it wrong, than you need to proof with appropriate scientific research and justify in front Sport Science counsel most of them best USSR judokas and sambists.

[@FartJokeResearchLabs]

@loudenvier "Gentle Way" makes more sense when you think of its history as a part of budo. They would call it "gentle way" (judo) or "gentle techniques" (jiu-jitsu) because its a lot more gentle than taking your sword out and chopping a dude in half.

[@loudenvier]

@DuykRuyk Well, it doesn't seem you know much about Judo, and you can't keep a civilized discussion. When you start getting Judo classes with world renowned sensei, come back to discuss again Okano's "use of force". And enlight me on how you would use ones force against oneself when one is standing still doing uchikomi. Do you at least know what uchikomi is? Do you have a sensei? Show him this comment thread and ask his opinion if you dare...

[@loudenvier]

@FartJokeResearchLabs Jiu-jitsu means gentle because it is opposed to use brute strength in favor of technique. The translation to "gentle" is misleading. Jiu-jitsu also encompasses fighting with weapons. Don't mix jiu-jitsu with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which is a form of Judo. It is not "gentle" in comparison with sword fighting. It only became a LOT less violent when changed from -jitsu (occupation/job/art) to "-do" by Kano Jigoro view of "jiu-jitsu" as a pedagogic system

[@loudenvier]

MAN!!!! I AM WRONG!!!! I'M SURE I READ O-GURUMA!!!! Sorry for that!!! But, then, back to myself, o-soto-guruma has to reap both legs, it attacks the far leg, Okano's o-soto-gari reaps the nearer leg, but it's so devastating that uke flies in the air... then I don't see the o-soto-guruma similarity.. at my academy we are taugh to do osotogari by entering deep with the hips and using the upper leg to reap, much alike Okano, but never like him :-)

[@loudenvier]

@NZD99 FYI, I own very good Judo books from Eastern Block and European Judoka like Alexander Iatskevich, Van der Walle and I also own a few video instructionals from Gokor Chivichyan, some historical documentaries on Ruska and Geesink, etc. Contrary to you I really learn from different sources, not downplaying anyone nor disrespecting any country. Your views are not Judo. And they are not an education too. You should stick to doing push-ups!

[@NZSambo]

I have make biomechanical explanation of error. So far you not make any constrictive comments. There is a BIOMECHANICAL principle and you (following Japanese) ignore them. I was kind and share with you people research in 100 university for 60 years, and bit crap of whole world. It is you call keep going blind and idolise Japanese, who teach bullshit, or sober up and apply science.

[@loudenvier]

You're analyzing Okano's entry in a completely wrong fashion, narrowly focusing on a "fantastic" jumping entry which would make him vulnerable to a counter while not taking into account the whole movement. It also seems that you are not being able to communicate effectively in a foreign language. So my invitation to Brazil stands, and we can demonstrate in practice the theory we're discussing (in a very confusing way)

[@loudenvier]

@FartJokeResearchLabs You are not correct. Ju-jutsu does have weapons. Mostly small weapons. You are romanticizing the meaning of ju. It does NOT mean that. Ju-Jutsu simply means, if you can trace it to a single meaning, a way to overcome stronger/more powerful opponents, turning their forces against themselves. The result IS NOT GENTLE. Ju should be understood not as GENTLE but as YIELDING as you shouldn't oppose force directly. Many jujutsu schools employes weapons.

[@JudoLife]

Hi Loudenvier; I just block NZ Sambo, He lives in Christchurch, but wanted to know if you would be good enough to accept his challenge? We hope he might like it in your country better. He is a bludger here, at taxpayers expense. I think some of his ideas are good but the others are very different. He believes all NZ Olympic medallist rowers are drug cheats, that it's inevitable to succeed. He was a problem at previous tournament abused our top referee& would not apologize.

[@NZSambo]

Unbalancing is most important in entry. It is must happening same time. And if you can analyze video accurate you would see: He rip 2 times for drill(seconds 6 & 7), but when hi go for actual throw (second 8) unbalancing act not apply rip (kuzushi ). Man you arguing not with me, you arguing with sport science.

[@loudenvier]

Do you see that you're just being a disrespectful fool? Can you show me anyone with a Phd in biomechanics that can beat an average Japanese Judoka in Judo? Lets make a deal, why don't you come to Rio and make a visit to this wonderful city? While doing so, please drop me an email so we can discuss this on the mat, and you can show me face to face what you're trying to imply. I really think you're not being able to express yourself clearly in a foreign language. Cheers.

[@NZSambo]

No matter who is who, if there is error there is error. No one perfect. No doubt he is good, but not God and I am pro, not a hypocrite. If you can afforded I could make biomechanical analysis and sand it to you.

[@loudenvier]

@chchjudoschool Hello my friend. I know he is annoying, but I do not mind taking my time to answer him. It really do not affect me in any way. His impoliteness, rudeness, stupidity and lack of reasoning skills is evident in every post he makes. He even misunderstood my legitimate invitation to share our point of views personally. He do not know my background in science and Judo, and I do not want to pull rank, that's very un-judo-like! Best wishes and hail from Brazil!

[@JudoLife]

@chchjudoschool I challenge you Demitri, to prove scientifically that Karate and aikido and japanese Jujitsu are not viable self defense systems, I challenge you to name the city for your Olympics 2010 when I repeatedly advise you Olympics are London 2012. I challenge you to stop annoying judoka with your Japanese Judo style hate comments, and just get on with what you do, prove its the best by winning personally or by your students, like every other coach attempts.

[@loudenvier]

@NZSambo I believe you're seeing things that do not exist. Have u see the way he uses the tsurite to unbalance and make a perfect entry? I suggest you to get any instructionals on Judo since you seem to miss even the basic notions of the sport. I strongly advise you to get Isao Okano's Vital Judo books, both in grappling and throwing, so that you can learn some Judo and stop trying to analyze bio-mechanically while lacking serious know-how in physics. U don't even see the abominations you speak!

[@NZSambo]

Usual excuse. You call red blue, and green as yellow and justify it as just deferent opinion . Man be series. Take off pink glasses.

[@NZSambo]

To appropriately challenge data I provide, for first learn to analyse, think and provide appropriate contra arguments. You are missing that a lot of this. You are constantly speculating and failing provide any appropriate scientific data. For you disable to operate in that level, for reason of luck of education and mental ability. To prove you ignorance and unprofessionalism most simplest way just follow official IOC links about Olympic 2010. It explains every thing.

[@NZSambo]

Man go to uny and get sport degree. Jump is jump. NOT BACK STEP. HIS BODY GOING UP. It is develop ZERO gravity good point for countr attack. if OPONENT SKILLFULL attacker would die. Make us favour stick to that jumping error and make us win more.

[@NZSambo]

Biomechanical comments was made. If you not capable to comprehends to bad for you. It is called luck of education. No Japanese understands biomechanics, so not surprise me you ignorant in sport science too. Some Japanese develop personal skill, but they failed to identify movement. Japanese even cant name technique appropriately nether classify.