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Jujutsu
(Contributor: Darren Wilkinson - wilkinson@hippo.herston.uq.oz.au)
Intro:
Old, practical, fighting art. A parent to Judo, Aikido, and Hapkido.
Origin: Japan
History:
The begining of Ju-jutsu can be found in the turbulent period
of Japanese history between the 8th and 16th Century. During this
time, there was almost constant civil war in Japan and the classical
weaponed systems were developed and constantly refined on the
battle field. Close fighting techniques were developed as part
of these systems to be use in conjunction with weapons against
armoured, armed apponents. It was from these techniques that Ju-jutsu
arose.
The first publicly recognised Ju-jutsu ryu was formed by Takenouchie
Hisamori in 1532 and consisted of techniques of sword, jo-stick
and dagger as well as unarmed techniques.
In 1603, Tokugawa Ieyasu brought peace to Japan by forming the
Tokugawa military government. This marked the beginning of the
Edo period of Japanese history (1603-1868), during which waring
ceased to be a dominant feature of Japanese life.
In the beginning of this period there was a general shift from
weaponed forms of fighting to weaponless styles. These weaponless
styles were developed from the grappling techniques of the weaponed
styles and were collectively known as ju-jutsu. During the height
of the Edo period, there were more than 700 systems of jujutsu.
The end of the Edo was marked by the Meiji Restoration, an abortive
civil war that moved power from the Shogun back to the Emperor.
A large proportion of the Samurai class supported the Shogun during
the war. Consequently, when power was restored to the Emperor,
many things related to the Samurai fell into disrepute. An Imperial
edict was decreed, declaring it a criminal offence to practice
the old style combative martial arts. During the period of the
Imperial edict, Ju-jutsu was almost lost. However, some masters
continued to practice their art "under-ground", or moved to other
countries, allowing the style to continue. By the mid twenty century,
the ban on ju-jutsu in Japan had lifted, allowing the free practicing
of the art.
Description:
The style encompasses throws, locks, and striking techniques,
with a strong emphasis on throws, locks, and defensive techniques.
It is also characterized by in-fighting and close work. It is
a circular, hard/soft, external style.
Training:
Practical with a heavy emphasis on sparring and mock combat.
Sub-Styles:
There are many, each associated with a different "school" (Ryu).
Here is a partial list: Daito Ryu, Danzan Ryu, Shidare Yanagi
Ryu, Hokuto Ryu, Hakko Ryu, Hontai Yoshin Ryu, Sosuishi Ryu, Kito
Ryu, Kyushin Ryu.
A more modern addition to this list is "Brazilian Jujutsu" or
"Gracie Jujutsu", so named because of its development by the Gracie
family of Brazil. Gracie/Brazilian Jujutsu has a heavy emphasis
on grappling/groundfighting.
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