JUJITSU

It is believed by many that the martial art known as ju-jutsu came
into being in the thirteenth century AD. Other spellings of ju-
jutsu have also been used, for instance, ju-jitsu, ju jitsu, jujutsu,
jiu-jutsu and jiu jitsu yet they are referring to the same collection
of (usually) grappling-based martial arts. Ju-jutsu is comparable to
Chinese kung fu or wu shu, in that it encompasses many different
indigenous systems. Having said this, there is a distinct difference
between traditional Japanese ju-jutsu and the popular art of
Brazilian jiu jitsu (always spelt this way), which is mainly derived
from judo.
The most famous schools of ju-jutsu, thanks to the masters and
personalities they produced, have been the Takenouchi-ryu, the
Tenjin Shinyo-ryu, Sosuishitsu-ryu, Sekiguchi-ryu, Daito-ryu and
the Kito-ryu. It seems apparent that each school contained strengths
that were beneficial to the overall theme of ju-jutsu. By definition
the systems are all primarily focused on grappling unarmed fighting
and are derived from the methods of the samurai.
More than seven hundred schools of ju-jutsu have subsequently
originated from Japan. If one imagines that from this number
other establishments have been propagated – as many pupils have
then taken and created their own concepts and changed the name
of the original title – then the magnitude of the different methods
of ju-jutsu would be huge and immeasurable.

Ju-jutsu, which translates to mean ‘the art of flexibility’ or ‘the art
of gentleness’, is considered to be the forerunner of many other
acclaimed Japanese martial arts such as aikido and judo. Ju-jutsu
techniques are as wide ranging as their styles and there are no
standardised texts. The many applications include those of kicking
hand techniques or te-waza , finger techniques or
yubi-waza, joint-locking or
kansetsu-waza, strangulation and choking called
shime-waza, throwing applications that are called
nage-waza, blocking techniques or
uke-waza and ground-fighting known as
ne-waza. Certain schools have made the addition of teaching weaponry
to enhance the traditional and classical link, as well as guidelines
for improving the body mechanics of unarmed technique. The
weapons include the sword, the staff, the stick and farming tools
that were converted into defensive arms. Some teachers have even
adopted the art of tying the opponent, known as ‘
hojo-jutsu’.Hoju-jutsu
has strong links to traditional fighting methods and some

ancient forms of ju-jutsu that exist today still hold the practice of
this system in high regard.
Ju-jutsu originally catered for the many requirements that were
demanded by the samurai. Unarmed combat was a prerequisite to the
total effectiveness of the individual or even a battalion of men. The
fighters were in need of a no-nonsense method that could be employed
if they became separated from their sword. The rapid growth of ju-
jutsu over the feudal period and its subsequent legacy demonstrates
how important this particular art was to the warrior classes.
Generally, ju-jutsu techniques are based around the evasion of an
attack and how to rapidly defeat the enemy or immobilise them
to prevent further attack. There are a variety of ways this can be
performed and ju-jutsu teaches very competent techniques. Hand
and foot applications are given great respect and so too are the
correct ways of how to throw the opponent from an array of
positions and angles.
Nowadays, ju-jutsu is taught as an effective means of self-defence
to all age groups regardless of gender. There are
thousands of devotees in many countries.
Original concepts and teachings
are in evidence in many martial
arts across a broad spectrum.
Ju-jutsu has led the way
in numerous combat
styles.