Why is it called Verbal Judo?

The history is found in the lesson of the willow tree.  Almost 1,300 years ago a Japanese physician named Akiyama discovered the principle while at a retreat in China after studying Taoism.  

Dr. Akiyama realized the doctrine stressed quiet and balance and he found the ethical principles most acceptable, yet he had trouble applying it to his life in reality.  His beliefs and his experiences troubled him greatly until he observed broken branches covered in ice and sno at his feet.  As he looked up he noticed willow branches still on the tree bending under the weight of the snow but unbroken.  As he watched the sun melt the now just enough for it to slide off and fall to the ground.  He concluded that blunt resistance to superior force is futile and the suppliness and flexibility of the willow yeilding initially to the weight survives.

Adopting this doctrine Akiyama opened a school called yoshinryu, or "heart of the willow," adapting his doctrine toward unarmed combat.

In 1882 physical Judo, was created by Jigoro Kano, a master of other styles of martial arts that were once taught to feudal era samurai warriors for the purpose of killing or maiming enemies on a battlefield.  The philosophy of the warrior in samurai times was that of a protector, not a killer.  Although trained to take life, they knew there came great responsibility with their title, and the word samurai meant to serve.  They were men of honor who obeyed a codified body of knowledge, a line of ethical behavior called the Code of Bushido.

Times changed and the training, still conducted in the traditional way was hard.  Students trained without pads and often there were injuries.  The goal had also changed, from mortal combat to self protection, or protection of their family.  They trained to better themselves physically so they would not be intimidated or afraid in the face of danger.  But the responsibility to the Code of Bushido, or a way of life remained true.  They knew there was little honor in harming those who were no threat to them.  The warrior as a protector still the principle purpose.

Kano, took the ancient fighting arts he had studied and created a martial art that did not require the taking of life.  If you seperate the word JUDO you find that JU means "Gentle" and DO means the way, or the path.  So JUDO means the gentle way or the gentle path.  A way to disable an opponent without crippling or killing.  A new martial art for a new century.

Now another century has passed and times are changing again.  Dr. Thompson blended eastern and western philosophies.  The east represented by Kano and Judo, and the west with the work of Aristotle, the founder of what we call Rhetoric, or verbal persuasion, to create a martial art of Mind and Mouth Harmony he would call Verbal Judo.  And now a new protector, called the law enforcement officer has arrived.  The police officer as the modern samurai, the Peace Warrior whose primary purpose is still to protect and to serve.