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History of Jiu-Jitsu, Ju-Jitsu, Ju Jutsu or
Yawara
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Is meaning the "art of softness", or "way of yielding", is a
collective name for Japanese martial art styles including unarmed
and armed techniques. Jiu-jitsu evolved among the samurai of feudal
Japan as a method for defeating an armed and armoured opponent
without weapons. Due to the ineffectiveness of striking against an
armoured opponent, the most efficient methods of neutralizing an
enemy took the form of pins, joint locks, and throws. These
techniques were developed around the principle of using an
attacker’s energy against him, rather than directly opposing it.
There are many variations of the art, which leads to a diversity of
approaches. Jiu-Jitsu schools (ryu) may utilize all forms of
grappling techniques to some degree (i.e. throwing, trapping, joint
locks, holds, gouging, biting, disengagements, striking, and
kicking). In addition to Jiu-Jitsu many schools teach the use of
weapons. |
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Today Jiu-Jitsu is practiced both as it was hundreds of years ago,
but also in modified forms for sport practice. Derived sports forms
include the Olympic sport and martial art of judo, which was
developed from several traditional styles of Jiu-Jitsu by Kano
Jigoro in the late 19th century; and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which
was-in turn-derived from earlier versions (pre-world war II) of
Kodokan judo.
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In Jiu-Jitsu there are five main sectors ("arts") of training. The
first, the Art of Blocking, is used to defend against attacks. The
second, the art of the Fulcrum Throw, is employed in modern judo.
The third, the Art of the Non-fulcrum Throw is employed through
throws involve little or no contact with the opponent. The fourth,
the Art of Escaping (Hakko-Dori), is very crucial in many styles of
Jiu-Jitsu. The fifth is the Art of Striking (Atemi-Waza).
Some examples of martial arts that have been developed from or have
been influenced by jujitsu are: Aikido, Hapkido, Judo (and thence
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Sambo), and Kempo- as well as some styles
of Japanese Karate. The Wado-ryu school of Karate, for example, is
considered as a branch of Shindo Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu which has
received strong influences from Okinawan Karate.
The Japanese systems of hakuda, kempo, and shubaku display some
degree of Chinese influence in their emphasis on atemi-waza. In
comparison, systems that derive more directly from Japanese sources
show less preference for such techniques. However, a few Jiu-Jitsu
schools likely have some Chinese influence in their development.
Jiu-jitsu ryu vary widely in their techniques, and many do include
significant emphasis on striking techniques, though in some styles
only as set-ups for their grappling techniques. |
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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) was developed after Mitsuyo Maeda brought
judo to Brazil in 1914. At the time judo was still often commonly
referred to as "Jiu-Jitsu", which explains why this derivative of
judo is called Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu rather than Brazilian Judo. BJJ
dominated the first large modern mixed martial arts competitions,
causing the emerging field to adopt many of its practices.
Jiu-Jitsu techniques have been the basis for many military
unarmed combat techniques (including British/US/Russian
Special Forces and police for many years. |
As to personal opinion of how jujitsu came about, I agree with
Sensei G. Koizumi, Kodokan 7th Dan, who stated:
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As to the origin and native land of Ju Jutsu, there are several
opinions, but they are found to be mere assumptions based on
narratives relating to the founding of certain schools, or some
incidental records or illustrations found in ancient manuscripts not
only in Japan but in China, Persia, Germany, and Egypt. There is no
record by which the origins of ju Jutsu can definitely be
established. It would, however, be rational to assume that ever
since the creation, with the instincts of self-preservation, man has
had to fight for existence, and was inspired to develop an art or
skill to implement the body mechanism for this purpose. In such
efforts, the development may have taken various courses according to
the condition of life or tribal circumstances, but the object and
mechanics of the body being common, the results could not have been
so very different from each other. No doubt this is the reason for
finding records relating to the practice of arts similar to Ju Jitsu
in various parts of the world, and also for the lack of records of
its origins.
G.Koizumi, my study of Judo
(New York: Sterling Publishing co. 1960) |
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Araki-ryu
