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Welcome to the official web site for Shufu Judo Yudanshakai, the Capitol Black Belt Association. This site is intended to provide critical information to individual members and clubs, judoka in general and people interested in learning more about our art and sport as a whole.
Shufu is a charter member of the United States Judo Federation (USJF) and is responsible for maintaining and supporting the rules and standards of international and Kodokan Judo within its area. Shufu encompasses a large part of the Mid-Atlantic States, including the DC Metro Area, Pennsylvania, Delaware, the Carolinas and Georgia. A complete listing of member clubs can be found on the Clubs page.
Kodokan Judo was founded in Japan in 1882 by Professor Jigoro Kano. A prolific innovator, Kano based his art on what he considered to be the strengths of several different fighting systems. As a result, he developed Judo into a relatively complete self defense system consisting of grappling (throws and foot sweeps), strikes, pins, chokes and submission techniques. Despite being a total martial art system, evolution and its inclusion into the Olympics in 1964 has led many participants to focus on the grappling, pins, chokes and joint locks while de-emphasizing strikes.
More information about Judo and Shufu can be found throughout this site, or with your questions. Enjoy your visit!