Jujutsu

Lore & Background

Jujutsu's written history began during the Nara period (c. The oldest known styles include Shinden Fudo-ryū (c. 1530s). Striking techniques were developed but later reduced, becoming primarily used to distract or unbalance an opponent before a joint lock, strangle, or throw.

Reader's Guide

Jujutsu is significant as a foundational martial art whose subset of techniques directly or indirectly influenced many modern martial arts and combat sports, including judo, aikido, hapkido, sambo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, ARB, and mixed martial arts. Its principle of using an attacker's energy against them, rather than directly opposing it, is central to its philosophy. The term jujutsu was not coined until the 17th century, becoming a blanket term for grappling-related disciplines previously known by names such as kogusoku koshi no mawari, kumiuchi, taijutsu, yawara, wajutsu, torite, and jūdō. Today, jujutsu is practiced in both traditional self-defense oriented and modern sports forms, with derived sport forms including the Olympic sport of judo, developed by Kanō Jigorō in the late 19th century, and sambo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, derived from judo. Its legacy endures in the diversity of approaches across many schools, which may utilize all forms of grappling techniques and sometimes weapons.

Did You Know?

• The term 'jujutsu' was not coined until the 17th century; before that, similar skills were called names like 'kogusoku koshi no mawari' (short sword grappling) or 'taijutsu' (body art).
• Jujutsu developed to combat armored samurai, using pins, joint locks, and throws because striking against armor proved ineffective.
• The first Chinese character of jujutsu (柔) is the same as the first one in judo (柔道).
• Before the first half of the 20th century, 'jiu-jitsu' and 'ju-jitsu' were preferred spellings in the West, reflecting non-standardized romanization.