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Definition of Ju Jitsu
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Ju Jitsu is formed from two ideograms
Ju the various meanings of
which are suppleness, flexibility, pliancy, gentleness and Jitsu meaning technique
or art. So Ju Jitsu means the art of suppleness or flexibility. As most Ju
Jitsuka (a student of Ju Jitsu) know there is nothing "gentle" about the
martial art. What Ju is conveying is that Ju Jitsu does not use strength against
strength, it uses the opponents strength and force of attack as a weapon against
him, thus enabling a stronger or bigger attacker to be subdued. |
 JU |
 JITSU |
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Description of Ju Jitsu
- Ju Jitsu is one of the most complete martial arts there is. It
incorporates unarmed strikes, joint locks, chokes and throws. |
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addition to the empty hand techniques training is given in a number of different weapons
including the Katana (Samurai sword), the Tonfa (side handled stick), Nunchaku
(rice flail), Bo (long staff 6 ft), Jo (mid length staff - 4ft), Hanbo (3ft
stick). In addition in general self-defence terms weapon improvisation is also
taught.
Ju-Jitsu is among the most effective
and potentially destructive martial arts. It is one of the most ancient
martial arts, dating back over 2500 years.
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Ju-Jitsu is a "Mother art" in
that it forms the basis for many of the more modern arts, including Judo,
Aikido and some Karate styles. A student proficient in the art of Ju-Jitsu
has studied techniques that can be described to the layman as a combination
of Judo (throws and leverage), Aikido (nerve points and attackers momentum),
Karate (striking and kicking), and other unique martial art techniques. A
student proficient in the art has the choice of causing his opponent to
sense severe pain and/or incapacitation without any lasting injury taking
place. |
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History Of Ju Jitsu -
The Samurai or warrior class in Japan
were trained to use a wide variety of weapons, including Sword, Spear, Halberd
and Bow. Techniques of using these weapons are collectively known as Bujutsu.
The Samurai expected to fight similar opponents to himself, who would be
both armed and armoured, furthermore Samurai were armed at all times, even when
asleep a short sword would be close to hand. However there were times when a
warrior would be unable, or would not choose to use his main weapons but would
close and grapple with an opponent. This grappling could be to take an opponent
prisoner or simply to hold him still whilst the Samurai brought another weapon
into play. These techniques of grappling in armour went under names such as
Kumi-Uchi, Wajutsu, Taijutsu, Yawara-ge and
Torite. As with Bujutsu the actual style varied somewhat between
schools.
In 1603 the warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu
seized control of all Japan and declared himself Shogun, or supreme military
ruler. The Tokugawa clan remained in power until 1868, this is known as the
Edo period of Japanese history. The Edo period was one of relative peace,
and the power and prestige of the Samurai gradually declined.
As times grew less warlike the need to
kill opponents was reduced and skill with the major weapons became less
important. Samurai still needed to defend themselves however and began to place
greater emphasis on their unarmed fighting skills. It was during this period
that the name Ju Jitsu came into general use and also when the study of
the art spread from the Samurai to the common people of Japan, who historically
had not been permitted to own or train with weapons.
At this period in it's history Ju Jitsu
still emphasised grappling techniques and the use of small, easily concealed
weapons such as knives and knuckledusters. As the art evolved however it
incorporated striking skills from the Chinese Ch'uan fa (fist way), which
is called Kempo in Japanese.
Ju Jitsu first came to Great Britain in
the early 20th Century, a dojo was established in Oxford Street and the British
Ju Jitsu Association was established to promote the art. In 1918 another dojo
was opened in London, this was the Budokwai which is still in existence,
although it now teaches Judo, a competitive sport derived from Ju Jitsu.
Ju Jitsu became firmly established in
several other British cities, especially the major seaport of Liverpool which is
the home of Ronin Yudansha Ryu.
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