Jujitsu

Principle

Jujitsu (also known as Jujutsu) emphasizes throws, locks, and striking and defensive techniques as its main aspects. It is a circular, external style. Jujitsu was developed to use "close fighting techniques used in conjunction with weapons against armored, armed opponents." (www.grandmaster.cc)

History

The beginning of Jujitsu has never been officially documented. People began to practice it somewhere during the time of constant civil war in Japan, between the 8th and 16th Century. During this time the classical weapon systems were being developed and refined on the battlefield. It was from these techniques that Jujitsu evolved. The first publicly recognized Jujitsu style was formed by Takenouchie Hisamori in 1532. It consisted of techniques of weapon techniques involving the sword, jo-stick and dagger as well as unarmed techniques. During the height of the Edo period of Japanese history, there were more than 700 systems of Jujitsu. When power was restored to the Emperor, an Imperial proclamation was decreed, declaring practicing the old style of combative martial arts a criminal offense. During the period of the proclamation, Jujitsu was almost lost. However, some masters continued to practice Jujitsu outside of the public eye, or moved to other countries. By the mid twentieth century, the ban on Jujitsu in Japan had lifted, allowing the free practice of the art, and bringing it back to Japan.