Japanese Judo Secrets – In-Depth Review

A broad, older gi set with classic throws and drills.

The Bottom Line

You get a wide mix of grips, throws, and simple chokes with a gi focus. The content is useful but not as structured as newer Ishii releases. You will not get polished production or no-gi systems.

⚡️ Quick facts

Best for: Gi generalists

Skip if: Train only no-gi

Tech focus: Osoto Gari, Ouchi Gari, Uchi Mata, Tani Otoshi, Canto Choke, Kimura Series

Biggest takeaway: Classic dojo fundamentals.

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What You'll Learn

An older four-part series that mixes gripping, throws, and some groundwork. The pacing and production show its age, but it has useful ashi-waza and simple gi chokes.

Best as a budget backup for gi-focused players who want variety.

Primary Techniques You'll Drill

  • Osoto Gari
  • Ouchi Gari
  • Uchi Mata
  • Tani Otoshi
  • Canto Choke
  • Kimura Series
  • Grip Fighting

Format & Level

  • Instructional style: Technique Collection
  • Skill level: All Levels
  • Format: Gi
  • Runtime: 2 hours and 36 minutes
  • Volumes: 4

Should You Buy It?

Skip. I would only grab this if you want gi variety and do not mind older production.

Why Satoshi Ishii?

Ishii's early BJJ Fanatics work blends Japanese judo pedagogy with basic gi submissions. Expect solid classics and repetition-focused drills rather than modern BJJ integration.

Community feedback

Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.

😍 Why People Love It

  • Lots of classic dojo drills and combos.
  • Good variety for gi-based training.
  • Clear osoto and ouchi sequences for both stances.

🤔 Common Criticisms

  • Production and pacing feel dated.
  • Coverage is broad rather than deep.
  • Not optimized for no-gi use.

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Sources & References

Video Breakdowns

Official listing: View Japanese Judo Secrets on BJJ Fanatics

Additional References

Your next step

You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.