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Modern Jujistu ]
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Jujitsu is one of the oldest martial arts, its schools dating back as early as 100 B.C. It is also the epitome of a military martial art. Combining techniques from the Chinese Shaolin Temple styles with those from Samurai sword fighting, the Japanese warriors developed it as an empty-handed combat method in the 1500s. Tested on the battlefields of Japan for centuries, it was a lethal and crippling form of Bujutsu in which the aim was to conquer an enemy with any and all means. It was in the 17th century when this martial art gained popularity, that the name Jujitsu came to use.
Yet, with the introduction of modern weaponry in the 1800s, empty-handed combat was not as effective anymore and died down in the warrior community. Rather, the maintenance of Jujitsu was left to the commoners and townspeople. Unfortunately, many students frequently abused their skills, using Jujitsu techniques on the members of the town and starting fights. Jujitsu gained a bad reputation among the public and the practice and few schools remained.
It was also around this time that more aesthetic forms of Jujitsu emerged. Professor Jigoro Kano, founder of Judo, and O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido, were both Jujitsu masters who decided to fashion their arts in a different direction. Kano took some Jujitsu techniques and eliminated all the deadly techniques and modified it into the sport of Judo. Ueshiba took another set of techniques and instilled a high degree of spirituality, creating his system, Aikido. Since many founders of Japanese martial arts were masters of Jujitsu like Kano and Ueshiba, many of the throws and joint techniques used in other martial arts heavily resemble or are identical to those used in Jujitsu.
Modern
Jujitsu 
Starting in the 1900s, many modern and eclectic variations of Jujitsu
have appeared in the West. One of the people who contributed to this
was a Japanese immigrant to Hawaii named Henry Okazaki. Okazaki studied
several classical styles of Jujitsu in Hawaii and Japan, eventually
formulating his own system, Danzan ryu (school) Jujitsu. He also felt
that morals ought to have a role in Jujitsu study and made self-perfection
the ultimate objective of training. Okazaki was the first Jujitsu master
to teach non-Japanese the then-secretive martial art, allowing American
soldiers stationed in Hawaii to train with him. They eventually brought
Jujitsu back to the United States, where it was integrated and still
remains in the armed forces' and police's training curriculum.
Another modern Jujitsu system of Japanese origin is Small Circle Jujitsu, formed by one of Okazaki's students, Professor Wally Jay. Jay's style uses small, circular movements of the hands that make techniques more painful and effective.
One of the most eclectic styles is Gracie (Brazillian) Jujitsu, founded by Carlos Gracie, who combined techniques from Western-style boxing with those of classical Jujitsu. He and his four brothers introduced Brazillian Jujitsu in 1925. It is known for as a fast-paced, no-holds-barred contest style that emphasizes ground-fighting, striking, kicking, and grappling.
Clearly, each style emphasizes different aspects of combat, be it throwing, striking, joint locking, etc. Schools also differ in the number of techniques that art taught, so Jujitsu students will often study multiple systems. Jujitsu is primarily used as a system of self-defense that can build confidence and spirit.
Like challenges? Take the Jujitsu Quiz.
