Because i signed up for Karate once and although i didnt stick at it, mainly because i liked throwing instead of striking, but at the Karate dojo they got me started on learning the Japanese language… now id be willing to learn it, i mean its a good thing, learning how to speak Japanese, but will i have to learn when i go and sign up?
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In a short answer, Yes, you will have to learn some Japanese.
I took Judo for a little while. I had to learn the Japanese terms for the throws (uchi mata, morote gari, osoto gari, etc.), the terms in a match (matte “stop”, hajime “begin”, ippon “full point”, etc.). These are the main Japanese words you will have to learn.
Since Judo started in Japan it is obvious why it is Japaneseified. It is one of the few martial arts that has stayed the same. By that I mean it is the same in the USA, France, Brazil, Russia, etc. that you have to learn these Japanese terms and a few of the customs like bowing to your opponet.
So, that is the extent of the Japanese you will have to learn. I found it hard to remember at first the Japanese names of the throws but after a while they just become the name of the throw (normal).
It is fun anyway. It is fun to learn about other cultures.
You need to. Well at least you have to memorize all the words for the techniques. And the polite words you need to use at the dojo. But don’t worry about it. You are there to learn the martial art. You are not in a language class.
You will learn Dojo no Nihongo, or training hall Japanese. Mainly the japanese that is practical for your studies (such as technique names, counting to ten, stuff like that).
And when you throw someone and they look like they are hurt, say “Daijobu desu ka?”
You will want to learn the names of the throws and holds you do. Also it is normal to learn the Japanese names for items associated with Judo. It will be fun.
For my belt test, our master required that we say the name of the throw we are going to demonstrate in japanese. You’rs may be different. But you won’t learn japanese that isn’t relevant to your studies. If you go to japan, you will want to learn the language in general.
Yes, but not completely. Just the basics like stop, start, numbers.