Judo was developed in the 19th century from a number of jujitsu methods. Initially it was separated into two distinct practices, one for self-defense and one for physical conditioning.

These days, judo is practiced mainly as a sport, which has competitions and tournaments worldwide..

The main techniques of this art are throwing and grappling. Judo fighters spend much of their training in learning how to fall safely when they are thrown, to minimize their risk of injury.

Judo	Judo
Judo	Judo

A kind of sparring is practiced in judo, known as randori, which meaning "free practice".

In randori, players (known as judoka) may attack each other with any judo throw or grappling technique.

Striking techniques (called atemi-waza) such as kicking and punching, along with knife and sword techniques are retained in the katas taught to higher ranking judoka (for instance, in the kime-no-kata), but are forbidden in contest (and usually prohibited in randori), for reasons of safety.