Judo and The Willow Tree
Jigoro Kano, the founder of the Japanese martial art, Judo, used the image of the willow tree to explain the essence of Judo.
The Willow Tree
The branches of a willow tree are light and spring back when pushed or pulled. The willow tree succumbs to the heavy winds and snow, gently yielding to the destructive elements of nature without breaking. If the tree were heavy and stiff, it would most likely break under the elements.
As a result, the willow tree can survive under more duress than even the sturdiest of oaks. The willow tree responds to a strong attack with gentleness, rather than resistance. This idea describes the essence of Judo, as described in their mantras:
“Minimum effort – maximum efficiency” and
“Gentleness controls strength” (in Japanese: ju yoku go o seisu)
Judo, the name of the martial art, translates from Japanese into the gentle and flexible way. A practitioner gives way to an attacker while keeping their own balance. Yielding just as much as the attack, the practitioner will be able to keep their balance while the attacker will eventually lose theirs. Applying techniques in leverage and having good timing are also vital. Both enable even a small and weaker practitioner to defeat a larger and stronger opponent.