Formal — to stranger
Cultural · Traditional · Arts
柔道は、力ではなく相手の力を利用する武道だと伺いました。 — I've heard that judo is a martial art that uses the opponent's strength rather than one's own. (Cultural · Traditional · Arts, Formal — to stranger, JLPT N4)
You
柔道は、力ではなく相手の力を利用する武道だと伺いました。
じゅうどうは、ちからではなくあいてのちからをりようするぶどうだとうかがいました。
I've heard that judo is a martial art that uses the opponent's strength rather than one's own.
Romaji: Juudou wa, chikara de wa naku aite no chikara o riyou suru budou da to ukagaimashita. / Reply Romaji: Sou desu ne. 'Juu yoku gou o sei suru' to iimasu.
Reply
そうですね。「柔よく剛を制す」と言います。
そうですね。「じゅうよくごうをせいす」といいます。
That's right. We say 'softness overcomes hardness.'
Gesture & etiquette
Respectful, scholarly tone. Listen attentively. When the speaker quotes the philosophy, slight nod of comprehension. If at a dojo, observe silently — practitioners' concentration is sacred. A small bow when receiving the explanation.
Judo, founded by Kano Jigoro in 1882, codifies the principle 'juu yoku gou o sei suru' (softness overcomes hardness) — using leverage, timing, and an opponent's momentum rather than raw strength. The 'jita kyoei' (mutual benefit) philosophy emphasizes that practitioners grow together, not at each other's expense. Black belt (kuro-obi) ranks are the most internationally recognized of Japanese budo grading systems.