A BRIEF HISTORY OF JUJITSU

Jujitsu is a martial art that dates back over 2000 years. The Samurai developed this fighting system, to be use when confronted in unarmed conflict on the battlefields of feudal Japan. There is a story in Japanese legend that in 22BC Taiami-Nu-Kami and Nomi-Nu-Sukune fought. The outcome was Nomi-Nu-Sukune threw his opponent to the ground and kicked him to death, these contests were common and we know them today as Mortal Combat. It is thought this is the origins if jujitsu. During the 1st century Chinese monks made regular trips to Japan bringing with them their knowledge and skills, which were incorporated into JuJitsu along with a style of wrestling called Chikara Kuruba. Known as KUMI-UCHI or close quarter fighting. The earliest documented JuJitsu school was recorded by Prince Teijin Fijiwara the 6th son of Japans 56th emporer (850-880AD).

The techniques of Tenji JuJitsu (each style or ryu took the family name) were passed on to his son Tsunemoto, who was later named Minamoto, around 1100AD a famous Samurai Yoshimitsu took these teachings to develop a system of unarmed combat and called it Daitoryu-Aiki-Ju-Jitsu (Aiki meaning harmony of internal energy), which proved so successful for centuries it was kept secret and only taught to the Minimoto family, for who Yoshimitsu was a general.

Many other styles (ryus) were formed around this time, incorporating fighting styles from other parts of Asia, and the use of weapons, so by the Muromachi period (1333-1573) each part of Japan had their own school, who’s teachings were guarded secrets, similar to our own military secrets. Battles were taking place all over Japan at this time with each Lord or Shogun fighting for supremacy and land, giving the Samurai the chance to hone their skills fighting to the death, learning from the mistakes of others and themselves if fortunate enough to survive.

For many years JuJitsu, was only taught to the Samurai, until the 17th century when relative peace came to Japan, the ruling lords promoted private schools, so by the 18th century JuJitsu was an established form of self defence with each school having it’s own secret techniques. These schools continued into the 19th century , but by the mid 1800’s JuJisu had fell into disrepute being used by the criminal classes to reign their terror. This prompted a new philosophy within Japanese culture and gave rise to Judo. In 1882 Jigoro Kano, who had studied JuJitsu wished to form a spiritual and moral philosophy by barring the old dangerous techniques to form judo at the Kodokan. Which, has now developed to, the Olympic sport we know today. It was realised that people still wished to learn the old technique, so these were formed into katas (a series of moves), to practice them without use in contest and this is the formation of GOSHIN JUJITSU. Later in 1942 Morhei Ueshiba founded Aikido as a non violent self defence. Through these new styles JuJitsu lost favour in Japan, but is needed to note that all these techniques were taken from JuJitsu.

JuJitsu has recently seen a revival in Britain, possibly due to the rise in personal attacks and people wishing to defend themselves, with a club in most major towns. Modern JuJitsu has kept many of the traditions and adapted to suit our culture and ways of teaching. Studying today you can learn striking, kicking, evasion, throwing, joint locks, strangles and chokes, plus use and defence against weapons and much more, even defence against hair pulls. Many of the locking technique used by the police and prison guards are taken from JuJitsu, and because of its nature JuJitsu is always adapting to changing circumstances. Anyone who learns JuJitsu is taught that violence is the last resort and should not be used unless being attacked, and even then the attackers limitations should be considered, as a court would not look lightly on a person seriously harming an attacker who could be easily subdued. Yes, I realise it would be their own fault for attacking you, but, the law is the law.

This is just a scraping of the surface of an interesting and diverse subject called JuJitsu if you want to learn more then come to our club in either Wisbech or Kings Lynn we will make you more than welcome. Give us a call or email us.