Jujutsu

The jiu-jitsu or ju-jutsu (柔術, &# 39;'jūjutsu''^?, lit., "the soft art") is a classical Japanese martial art or koryū budō which encompasses a wide variety of modern combat systems based on the "unarmed" defense of one or more aggressors both armed and unarmed. Basic techniques mainly include locks, punches, kicks, knees, dodges, shoves, throws, takedowns, and chokes. These techniques originate from bushi (classical Japanese warriors) battle methods, to deal with other armored samurai warriors (hence their emphasis on attacking with locks, throws and chokes, rather than encouraging them). the use of punches and kicks) its different technical sections have been developed over nearly two millennia.

The classic ju-jutsu, in addition to defense without weapons, admits the use of other objects as defensive or offensive weapons, such as the fan, the parasol, the ropes (hojōjutsu), coins and small cutting and blunt weapons, such as jutte or trident, tantō, kakushi buki (concealed weapons) and even kusarigama, ryofundo kusari or bankokuchoki, which are more elaborate.

The ju-jutsu was part of a broader system called bujutsu, which in turn included the main long weapons of the samurai warrior of that time: katana or saber, tachi or cavalry saber, yari or spear, naginata or halberd, jō or medium cane and bō or long cane, among many others. These hand-to-hand combat methods were an important part of the various systems developed for use on the battlefield and can be classified as katchu bujutsu or yoroi kumiuchi (fighting with or without weapons, dressed in armor) from the Sengoku era (1467-1603) or suhada bujutsu from the Edo era (1603-1867) (fight wearing the style of the time, with kimono and hakama).

These "close combat" systems became known as nihon koryū jūjutsu (Old Japanese ju-jutsu), among other terms., during the Muromachi period (1333-1573), according to the densho of various schools or ryuha and historical records.

History and development

Utagawa Kunisada painting of a sumo wrestler

Taking into account that one of the most important impulses of all living beings is to defend themselves against the attack of predators or individuals of the same species that compete for territory, food, resources or reproduction. Unlike animals that have defense mechanisms incorporated into their own structure, the human being adapted his body to have means to defend himself, developing different methods of personal defense. When some method is effective, other people copy it, or learn it and preserve it from the person who developed it, which not only formalizes the techniques and tactics, but also the methods of transmission, this gave rise to classical martial arts. and traditional of Japan.

Regarding the legendary origins of the soft/gentle art or ju-jutsu, there is a famous story about the warrior Sekuni, from the province of Izumo, who defeated and killed Tajima no Kehaya in Shimane Prefecture in the presence of Emperor Suinin. According to descriptions, the techniques used in this confrontation included blows to vital points, chokes, throws, submissions and the use of traditional weapons.

The ju-jutsu is a hybrid martial art, fundamentally based on the tedori jutsu, an ancient Japanese fighting style designed to reduce enemies without damaging them excessively. It also incorporates elements of sumo, as well as tactics designed to disarm opponents that the bushi, or samurai, learned.

Although at first each of these arts were developed by individuals, and preserved in secret by the different clans of medieval warriors or samurai, over time they were given a particular name, being initially known both in the East and in the West under the common name of yawara or jiujitsu and each one was called a “style”, “school” or "sect" of a single generic art with different emphases ryu-ha in Japanese.

Historically, it is assumed that in some schools such as Kito Ryu Ju-jutsu, (the school from which modern Judo originates along with the Shin'yō-ryū school), there is a great influence of Shuai Jiao or Chinese wrestling, which includes numerous techniques of takedowns, locks and throws, from the martial arts of China and Mongolia. However, the founder of Judo, the master Jigorō Kanō affirmed in a statement made in 1888 during the beginning of the Meiji era in Japan, (when Japan was looking for a greater identity by opening up to the West, at the same time as the conquest of Asia by the weapons) that Judo as a type of fighting based on the throws, holds and knockdowns of Ju-jutsu, was of specifically Japanese origin; not chinese.

It is also clear that, in general, the classical and traditional systems of Japanese ju-jutsu give greater emphasis to footwork or tachi waza, and to training in traditional weapons, than to techniques in the ground or ne-waza. Including techniques much more typical of feudal Japan such as the so-called idori or control techniques from the kneeling position, or seiza (traditional way of sitting upright on legs bent under the hips).) as well as the shikko techniques (kneeling required from yesteryear before the visits of the feudal lord or Daimyo, the military leader Shogun or even before the Emperor, preserved today in the martial art of aikidō) that are characteristic of them. In addition to disarming techniques before saber or tachi dori waza , spear or sojutsu dori waza and before dagger or tanto dori waza , these being the weapons common armored medieval warriors or samurai.

The best-known schools and modern derivatives of the different schools of classical Japanese ju-jutsu are Judo, and Aikidō; Brazilian jiu-jitsu or BJJ (developed based on the ground fighting section of judo or ne-waza) being even more popular today, due to its prominence and boom in mixed martial arts, or MMA, tournaments.

Legacy

Interior part of Takamatsu Castle, covered by laminas or tatami

All nihon jū-jutsu or classical Japanese styles have certain characteristics, which help to give a traditional nuance to the respective school. Among such, we can mention:

• The reishiki which represents a set of rules of conduct and respect in the dōjō.
• The dōjō or practice room has its floor usually covered with the traditional mat or tatami.
• The practice uniform, which is usually all white (keikogi)️) and which is often added a very wide skirt-screen called hakama ().).
• Rustic simplicity in the environment, decoration and attitudes defined as wabi-sabi.
• The use of a classic scalf system called menkyo kaiden, different from the traditional grade system by color belts originated in the judo and initially adopted by karate, or grade system (kyū/dan).
• The absence of championship trophies, long-term contracts, badges, emblems or any other element that seeks the development of the ego.

Common characteristics of jū-jutsu

ju-jutsu kanji.

While there are differences in appearance and techniques of various traditional ju-jutsu systems, there are several similarities:

• Related stories with common origin in Japan where they are often related to some family or clan.
• The main form of teaching is through observation and repetition of techniques, often according to patterns defined in so-called kata (pre-established forms) alone or generally in characteristic school couples.
• The techniques include blows but not as an end in themselves but to facilitate the execution of luxations to joints, releases, demolitions or strangulations.
• They generally include a philosophical and ethical basis for their practice based on the samurai code or bushidō.
• They have a grade system based generally on technical or aptitude certificates, which in turn evaluates the attitude or character of the practitioner.

Etymology and transliteration

	Pronunciation of the word by a Japanese native
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There are many ways in use to write and pronounce this martial art. In Japanese, his name is written with kanjis, Chinese ideograms, but the transliteration of the Japanese word has been carried out several times over the years and using different methods in each of them, since Japan was forced by the United States to open its ports in 1854.

The word Jūjutsu, in today's standard, is derived from the Hepburn transliteration system. However, in the first half of the 20th century it was more common to speak of jujitsu or jiujitsu. Since the art was made known and popularized in this way a long time ago, it is the word in use in some Western countries, despite how inaccurate jitsu is for the pronunciation of the second kanji of the word.

Koryū jū-jutsu or classical styles and schools

Koryu are the styles and schools that verifiably existed before the Meiji Restoration in 1868, while some of these styles subsequently disappeared have survived and are still practiced Araki Ryu Kogusoku, Asayama Ichiden Ryu, Tenji Shinyo ryu, Yoshin ryu, Ryoi Shinto ryu, Takenouchi Ryu, Fusen-ryu, Shin No Shindo, Kyushin Ryu, Shiten Ryu, Sōsuishi ryū, Sekiguchi Ryu, Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu, and Koppo jutsu. In general they are characterized by a Menkyo system instead of the new system or kyu-Dan belts and deadly traditional techniques that are safeguarded in a document that is transmitted from generation to generation from masters to disciples, called Shoden makimono.

Gendai jū-jutsu or modern traditional schools and styles

Maeda students in Brazil

Also called "jiu-jitsu" modern are the styles and methods of jū-jutsu that were created after 1868 as opposed to the previously created Koryu jū-jutsu styles; Many of these modern styles seek the integral formation of the individual, and use the Kyu-dan system originating from the Butokukai and the colored belts (white-brown and black) derived from Judo to identify the levels prior to the black belt. The other colors that are known today (yellow, orange, green, blue or violet) were those created by the master Mikonosuke Kawaishi in France during the 40s for the initial promotion of judo in Europe as opposed to the traditional grade systems of the classic system known as Menkyo kaiden, or by diploma, lineage and oath.

Examples of gendai jū-jutsu are: Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu, or its derivative Hakko Denshin Ryu, Seibukan JuJutsu, by Kancho Toribio in Nagoya, Japan, Shudokan Jutsu ryu Daitokan by Carlos Alberto Castillo (Spain 1990), Danzan H. Okazaki's Ryu the Zendo ryu ju-jutsu or Brazilian Jiu-jitsu or Bjj that although it was brought to Brazil by Mitsuyo Maeda in the middle of the century XX was developed by Carlos Gracie and later his younger brother Helio Gracie in Brazil based on Judo and various Goshin Budo systems such as Henry Seishiro Okazaki's Danzan Ryu, Antonio Pereira's Miyama-ryu or the Nihon Dentou Ryu that despite what its name seems to indicate was developed in the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo by Dr. Alejandro Iván Serrallés Sagalowitz. These styles of ju-jutsu are practiced throughout the world, and as is clear Many gendai jū-jutsu systems have been founded by Japanese descendants or even by non-Japanese direct students of them.

Derivative martial arts

Some of its direct descendants are found within the gendai budō these are the martial arts that were created in contemporary times based on the ancient schools. For example, judo and aikidō that derive from the synthesis of two styles of koryū jū-jutsu (tenjin shin'yō-ryū, and Kitō-ryū jū-jutsu) in the first, and the influence of daitō-ryū aikijujutsu in the second. These martial arts were created after the Meiji Restoration (early XX century) with the support and control of the Dai Nihon Butokukai. There are also variants and styles developed later in the 20th century such as the Japanese Nihon Tai-Jutsu; or the Korean hybrid martial style of Hapkido. It is important to note that both jū-jutsu and judo have had a great influence on the inclusion or interpretation of various techniques such as: joint dislocations, strangulations and some of the throws included in the movements of the kata or forms of various traditional martial arts, especially in the case of Japanese karate styles, since a large part of the Japanese masters who disseminated karate, and many other contemporaries had, or still maintain, contact with art, because they were initially trained in jū-jutsu or judo.

Development of Jū-jutsu in Europe

The Bartisu-Club of London is the first European school of jū-jutsu since it was founded in 1899 by the English engineer, W.E.Barton-Wright, inspired by jū-jutsu the club is frequented by the London aristocracy. British Captain Hughes enrolls in the Kodokan in Tokyo and the Japanese jū-jutsu teacher Yokio Tani arrives in Great Britain, opening the Japanese School Club on Oxford Street in London, where soon two Frenchmen, Jean-Joseph Renaud and Guy de Montgrilhard nicknamed Renie sign up.

In 1904 Renaud and Montgrilhard opened the first dojo in Paris at number 55 rue Ponthie with the technical direction of two Japanese experts, masters Miyakie and Kanaya.

On October 26, 1905, Renie had a fight with the famous wrestler Georges Dubois in which, despite the difference in weight, he quickly won, achieving great popularity but which was ephemeral when shortly after he lost against a Russian wrestler of more than 100 kg.

In 1906, the German Eric Rahn opened the first jū-jutsu school in Berlin, while in England Allan Smith was the first European to receive a black belt.

In 1908, Le Prieur will be the first Frenchman to study Judo in Japan, but unfortunately after returning to France, not finding anyone to practice with within his technical level, little by little he abandons judo and dedicates himself to diving.

In 1924, K. Ishiguro and A. Aída, both 5th dan, taught jū-jutsu at the Sporting Club in Paris. The British scientist of Israeli origin Moshe Feldenkrais opens the Jiujitsu Club de France supported by the Joliot Curie couple.

In 1931 another Japanese master Mikonosuke Kawaishi moved to London and established the Anglo-Japanese Judo Club and taught Judo at the University of Oxford, but in 1935 he moved to Paris teaching Jū-Jutsu at the Israeli Club, directed by Mirkin to soon open his own club called the Franco-Japanese Club which later merges with the Jiujitsu club of France.

In September 1933, master Jigorō Kanō and his assistant Shuidi Nagaoka at the French Championships give a series of demonstrations and lectures.

In 1937 Georges London, a student of Ishiguro and later of Kawaishi, opens the Saint Honoré Club of judo and karate jujutsu at 274 Rue St. Honoré, in the heart of Paris, making him the first disciple of Kawaishi Authorized to run a Dojo, Master London moved to Uruguay in Latin America in 1958, spreading jū-jutsu to that country.

Jū-jutsu degrees and belts DEAMYDC (UJD)

In Jū-jutsu there are fifteen different levels (called khan), according to the degree of skill in said martial art. In Europe according to the Spanish Department of Martial Arts and Contact Sports DEAMYDC, (Entity recognized by the Ministry of the Interior of the Government of Spain with registration number 607327), as well as recognized by the Spanish Federation of Martial Arts and Contact Sports FEAMYDC.

At U.J.D. the colors of the belts ordered from most inexperienced to most expert are:

Lower grades.

• White belt
• White-yellow belt
• Yellow belt
• Yellow-orange belt
• Orange belt
• Orange-green belt
• Green belt
• Green-blue belt
• Blue belt
• Blue-morning belt
• Moral belt
• Morado-marrón belt
• Brown belt

Higher grades.

• 1o PUM Belt Black-red (children's black - 15 years old)
• 1o DAN - Black(Sonseg-nim / Instructor)
• 2o PUM belt Black-red (child black - 15 years old)
• 2nd DAN - Black(Sonseg-nim / Professor)
• 3o PUM Belt Black-red (children's black - 15 years old)
• 3o DAN - Black(Sonseg-nim / Master)
• 4th DAN - Black(Sabon / Master)
• 5th DAN - Black(Sabon-nim / Grand Master)
• 6th DAN - Black (Highlight Degree)
• 7th DAN - Black (Highlight Degree)
• 8th DAN - Black (Highlight Degree)
• 9th DAN - Black (Highlight Master Degree)

Jū-jutsu in Latin America

• The jū-jutsu in Argentina it was introduced by Yoshío Ogata, assistant of the Shihan Hagiwara of jū-jutsu to whom they offer a contract to teach jū-jutsu to the officers of the Navy beginning on November 29, 1906. Later through Dr. Carlos Delcasse, a decollant personality and a famous sportsman who opens a gym frequented by famous athletes of the time and manages the entry of Ogata to the police of the city of Buenos Aires, as a personal defense instructor, in 1914 he acts as a personal defense professor in the National Gendarmerie of the Province of Neuquén and in 1918 he began to dictate classes in the City of Buenos Aires
• In Uruguay only in 1958 Georges London arrived from France by founding the Shobukan Institute where he taught jū-jutsu, judo and kárate, his pupil Sergio Omar Anadon Rivero continued his work in the country.

Master Mitsuyo Maeda.

• In Brazil it was introduced in 1917, with the arrival in Brazil of Mitsuyo Maeda, professor of Kodokan, who received the support of an influential politician named Gaston Gracie Maeda began to teach Judo to the eldest son of Gastón, Carlos; in the city of Belem who then taught his brothers Oswaldo, Gastao, George and Helio. The Gracies in 1925 traveled to Rio de Janeiro where they opened the first academy of what they pronounced as "Jiu Jitsu" and which over time has achieved worldwide diffusion. However, for the Japanese community in Brazil, teachers Naito Katsutoshi and Ogawa Tyuzo represented the greatest influence on the development of jū-jutsu Local
• In 2014 and at the request of supporters jūjutsu traditional Japanese travels to Brazil the Master Carlos Alberto Castillo to spread his system Shudokan jutsu ryu Daitokan. Practicer of various jujutsu systems such as hakko ryu, takenouchi ryu, tenshin ryu, yoshin ryu, Yuichi Negishi 11th generation shinkyoku ryu jujutsu (family class) — Soke Lucient Vicent Ott. The school already has a lot of practitioners especially military police.
• In Mexico. In her book "Seven Japanese Migrations in Mexico (1890-1978)", María Elena Ota Mishima recounts that in 1910 the chief of Japanese migrants, Shinzo Harada, when he is known, travels from Spain as an expert in daitō-ryū aiki jū-jutsu He was called by the Secretary of War and Marina and taught at the Military College for 8 years the cadets among whom the children of Don Porfirio Díaz were told. In 1926 another Japanese teacher (Nabutaka Sataka) was taken to Mexico by order of General Plutarco Elías Calles in order to teach the military and was commissioned to also teach this martial art at the National School of Teachers (Normal), where he imparted his knowledge to the students of that time.
• In Cuba it was introduced in 1925 by renshi Sigetoshi Morita and ten years after his death forms, in his honor the Morita Ryu school and parallel the Tai Yoza Ryu school of the master Luis Armando student palaces of Morita. When the Jū-Jutsu is rekindled on the island a few years later, the Akijama Shirobei Ryu, Simon Ryu and Vamato Mijazawa schools form the current base of the Cuban Jū-jutsu. With the revolution one of the Judocas that integrates the process is Andrés Kolychkine Thompson, born in Petrograd on March 11, 1913 and married to a Cuban so he decides to settle there, sensei Kolychkine was a pupil of Jean De Herdt who in turn was a disciple of sensei Mikonosuke Kawaishi, and mainly developed the Cuban judo that would influence the development of martial arts in all the countries of the region and which is currently maintained.
• In Costa Rica Jū-jutsu starts in 1955 year in which the sensei Orlando Madrigal Valverde who had learned with Professor Kolychkine in Cuba. Install the first academy Judo and jū-jutsu. Call Costa Rican academy of judo and jiu jitsu, el shihan Costa Rica was unfortunately killed on 25 June 1991. Leaving a great legacy.
• In Colombia the Japanese Jū-jutsu arrives approximately between the 1970s and 1980s with the Judo, but its dissemination and practice itself is more recent (2003), the traditional style is made known, thanks to the efforts of the Colombian Federation of jiu-jitsu. And the Jiu-Jitsu Brazilian; the efforts of several schools such as: De la Riva Colombia, Team Pedro Sauer Colombia Academy, Gracie Barra, Team Legacy, Gracie Colombia, Alliance, Kanji de Lutas, Grappling Machines, Tyr jiu-jitsu, among others.

• In Chile The Soke Jorge Silva Figueroa (1980) creates and develops the Personal Security and Defense Method SINERG – JIUJUTSU, which is a version of the classic Jiujutsu (particularly the Aiki – Jiujutsu), interpreted as a method that applies synergistic actions and principles of ergonomics from instinctive behaviors and self-protection reflected reactions linked to natural mobility.
• In Ecuador he was introduced by the Spanish Sensei Luis Díaz, in the 1980s, developing art in the dojo Sakae, named in honor of his first teacher. It laid the groundwork for the current practice of Japanese Jū-jutsu, maintaining tradition and formality, in the Bu Shin Do group, Ju-Jitsu Ecuador.
• In Peru the Japanese Jutsu began his defamation for the years 2007 in which the sensei Fernando A. Torres Cordova returns from Cuba after learning for more than 15 years of Cuban teachers like Luis Armando Palacios who was his teacher,Palacios was a direct pupil of the Japanese teacher Sigetoshi Morita introducer of Ju jitsu in Cuba. He also received teachings from the teacher Alberto Salas Sham (QPD). The current teachers of Cuba Ariel Ramírez Villalba,Dexter Reyes Toledo who was president of the Cuban jiu jitsu.Julio Collado Izquierdo, Héctor Cabana among others. The sensei Fernando Torres performed various courses and seminars of updates opening his first school in the district of Santa Anita alternating karate with the sensei Oscar Villafuerte. Thus, in 2011 it promotes the realization for the first time a world of soft art in the Perù and is supported by the Judo Federation in the Videna giving its facilities to perform it there. This magnificent event was attended by 17 countries between America, Europe and Asia. sensei Torres over the years continued the diffusion of art by various provinces and Peruvian cities.
• In Venezuela Jū-jutsu Japanese, came from the hand of Sensei Rubén D. Guerra B. in 2013 to the city of Cabudare, Lara State, who being a student of the sensei Akitaro Masuko; founder of his ryu, suggested in the days of training in Japan the idea of taking his school for the first time off the Nippon borders, so a friendship was sealed, through the discipline and commitment for this martial art and its history of heritages of peasants trained by samurai and what it represents in the martial arts of Japan. Currently, the Masuko Ryu is growing and trying to create martial families in all the cities of the countries where it is located: Colombia, Panama, Ecuador and Argentina, being managed by students of the sensei Guerra and his school called BUDO TORII DOJO, where besides the Jū-jutsu Traditional of the Masuko Ryu line, classes are given from Aikido Tenshokai also from Japan and Bujutsu Sosei International based in Spain.