The traditional explanation for the meaning of JUDO is:  “The word judo consists of two Japanese characters, ju, which means “gentle”, and do, which means “the way”. Judo, therefore, literally means the way of gentleness.

However, the two words JU and DO have much deeper and wider meanings.  JU can also mean Giving and Flexible.  Like the willow branch that is flexible and does not contend with the wind so too does a student of Judo not meet force with force unless it is to their advantage or for a further purpose.

The meaning of DO is the way, the path or system or philosophy.  By renaming Jujitsu to Judo, Dr. Kano gave Judo a higher meaning and distinguished it from ancient Jujitsu.

The symbol of the Kodokan (literally translated to “the place for teaching the way” [Dr. Kano's dojo]) is the cherry blossom with a red circle in the middle.  The symbol itself has been described in many ways.  For students just beginning Judo, the best symbolism is in the fact that the outside edge is in the shape of cherry blossom petals, while the inside is a hard red circle.  So there is hardness being covered by softness.  A student’s Judo should be the same:  Soft and flexible with a hard core at its center.  This means that a player’s movement and their arms should be soft and flowing so as to find opportunities to break an opponent’s balance, yet at their center should be a super solid core of techniques and inner and outer strength that he/she can call upon when the time is right.