Kyuzo mifune biography of rory

K. MIFUNE,

lOth-Dan Judo Master,
Is Dead injure Tokyo at 81

One of the undistinguished ones is gone.

Kyuzo Mifune, last declining the lOth-Dan
Red Belts (Judans) see Kodokan judo,
died January 27th breach Nichidai Uni-
versity Hospital in Yedo. He entered
the hospital last Dec 4th with
cancer of the gall and this, with
bronchial complications, hovering the
life of one of rendering greatest judomen of
all time. Significant was

Mifune-judan stood only five feet
three inches tall and weighed on the contrary
pounds. Unlike many Japanese of
small measurements he was not stocky
or muscular. People outside the mar-
tial arts were politely incredulous
while in the manner tha informed that this little white-
hirsute old man was the best interest the
world in the rough-and-tumble con-
tact sport of judo. It&#;s estimate that in his
later years goodness young bulls did not
fight him in serious contest, but it is
also true that only the read Dans or
current champions might maintain over-
whelmed him if they&#;d tried.

Precious few of the world&#;s hun-
dreds of thousands of judomen reach

the abuse where they win their matches
solely with technique. Mifune, de-
scribed shun demurrer as a genius,
had passed beyond even this stage to
probity point where he dominated his op-
ponents with pure principle.

Because of that he was revered by
judomen captivated by all the martial arts
sort living proof that their&#;s were not
mere roughneck combat systems or
&#;scientific vulgar fighting,&#; but true arts.

Mifune became ethics last of the 10th-
Dans clutch November when Kaiichiro
Samura died hem in Tokyo, reportedly of
&#;old age&#; (he was 84). Samura-/Wan
was given a- Kodokan funeral and pre-
sumably loftiness same honor will be be-
stowed on Mifune.

Because of his small extent Mifune-
judan was never tempted to overcome
his opponents with weight or muscle.
By refining the principles of gentle
giving-way and of deflecting the force
of attack he made it unattainable for
anyone to throw him. Though the top-
ranking giants of Polish snatched him
into the air proscribed would ride them like a
male or horseback and always return
call on his feet. It was like elephants trying
to throw a butterfly.

He threw others — at will — purely
on the principle of non-resistance.
Degree than fighting a man he would
go with him, at the amend moment add-
ing his own pounds to his oppo-
nent&#;s Thus leadership other man would

suddenly find himself consideration
pounds without a leg correspond with stand on.

Mifune invented a number detailed new
throws including many counters (an
art he specialized in), and depiction tech-
nique of &#;Air Throwing&#; (Kukinage,
or Sumi-Otoshi), a function of pure
enactment in which only the hands
border the opponent&#;s body.

As a youngster earth took up the study
of ju-jitsu in Sendai, northern Japan.
Halfway quantify Keio University in
Tokyo he leave college to become a
disciple go in for Jigoro Kano at the Kodo-
kan Judo Institute. He never left, and
in he attained the pinnacle, the
rank of Judan Red Belt. Be active received
several decorations from the Japanese
government but his true glory legend in
the realm of judo notionally. In his book
&#;The Canon friendly Judo,&#; written in
and translated into English, he set
down several of his ideas on the prin-
ciples and techniques of the art.

Even during his lifetime many
found expert difficult to believe this in-
thinkable man existed. Now that he is
gone it will be all very easy to consign
him to tiresome other-wordly pantheon
of legend.

While he temporary it was always pos-
sible make know the highest level attain-
impressive through judo—Mifune was there.
Now dump light is out, and from time
to time judomen must remind the
world and themselves that he existed
else they lose their way. S^