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What is Jujitsu?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Jujitsu is a martial art which reflects the movements of the attacker back upon him or her. It has been practiced in Japan since the 16th century, although it has its origins in Chinese martial arts. Jujitsu uses a series of joint locks, small weaponry, and defensive tactics in combination with conserved energy to neutralize an attacker. Many other martial arts such as Judo and Aikido have their roots in this form.

The word means the practice of gentleness, and in addition to learning the moves associated with Jujitsu, students also make changes in their characters. This marital art is supposed to focus and calm the students, with the aim of making them better martial artists and more refined individuals as well. The movements are efficient, flowing, and circular, and it is a distinctly beautiful martial art to watch. Jujitsu is also usually practiced within a very small circle, and many moves have been refined for close quarters fighting.

Jujitsu is a martial art designed to neutralize an attacker quickly.
Jujitsu is a martial art designed to neutralize an attacker quickly.

Jujitsu reached its heyday during the Tokugawa Shogunate, when weapons were forbidden to most Japanese citizens. It incorporates joint locking and arresting movements which are extremely useful in hand to hand combat where neither warrior has a weapon. When used correctly, it is also possible to disarm with a joint lock. Grappling, take downs, throws, and strangulation also play a role.

Many MMA fighters use techniques derived from jujitsu.
Many MMA fighters use techniques derived from jujitsu.

Most schools of Jujitsu also teach techniques with canes, short swords, and use of ropes. Defensive techniques against modern weapons such as guns are taught as well, with a strong focus on neutralizing an opponent without harming him or her. Some students also learn healing techniques including massage, while other schools also place a heavy value on the study of spiritual and philosophical concepts.

Jujitsu is often useful for those who need to learn self defense.
Jujitsu is often useful for those who need to learn self defense.

Jujitsu is differentiated from other aggressive martial arts like Karate because it is not an offensive martial art, but a defensive one. Students learn the arts of surrender, patience, yielding, and efficiency. Jujitsu is also highly effective, integrating fighting techniques for a variety of situations, with or without weapons. The techniques are often taught in self defense classes for women, because it is possible to neutralize an attacker quickly and escape.

Many other martial arts, such as aikido, have roots in jujitsu.
Many other martial arts, such as aikido, have roots in jujitsu.

In the 20th century, Jujitsu was brought to the West by a variety of masters, and became a very popular martial art. In 1977, the Ju-Jitsu International Federation was formed, with the idea of organizing and regulating international competitions. In competition, the Federation recognizes two types of entries. The fighting system opposes single members from different teams who spar for points. In the duo system, two athletes from the same team demonstrate defensive techniques on the mat.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a Sports&Hobbies researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a Sports&Hobbies researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Discussion Comments

umbra21

@pastanaga - There are plenty of jujitsu classes that are aiming to cater for casual students who just want to learn how to defend themselves. In fact, most short term self defense classes seem to draw on jujitsu moves since they are effective against opponents of any size.

I do think that there should be a distinction made between people who seriously want to learn it as a sport and people who are just there for a few lessons. It's not fair for the people who are serious about it to have to put up with those who aren't. Your fellow students can make a big difference to the experience.

pastanaga

@MrsPramm - That is pretty terrible if it's true, because I'm always telling people they should try to go and get the basics of jujitsu techniques even if they don't want to be involved in it as a sport.

Of course, it helps to be fit, but you can still learn a lot even if you aren't and it is one of the best martial arts for defense, something I think more people should know.

MrsPramm

I only ever tried jujitsu once with a friend of mine who was far more interested in it than I was. I was fairly unfit at the time and I'm pretty tall as well. I struggled to do the first few things the guy in charge asked us to do, like backward rolls, which, of course, my friend was able to do easily.

Then he paired us up with people to practice falling. He paired me up with this tiny woman about half my size who couldn't hold my weight to save herself and she was supposed to lower me to the mat in the exercise. Of course, she kept dropping me and since I had no clue how the falling was supposed to work, it hurt a lot.

I've often wondered if the teacher did it on purpose because he didn't want me to come back after I struggled so much with the first part of the lesson. I guess that would fit in with the idea of using someone's momentum to achieve your own ends.

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    • Jujitsu is a martial art designed to neutralize an attacker quickly.
      By: ericcote
      Jujitsu is a martial art designed to neutralize an attacker quickly.
    • Many MMA fighters use techniques derived from jujitsu.
      By: Nicholas Piccillo
      Many MMA fighters use techniques derived from jujitsu.
    • Jujitsu is often useful for those who need to learn self defense.
      By: Felix Mizioznikov
      Jujitsu is often useful for those who need to learn self defense.
    • Many other martial arts, such as aikido, have roots in jujitsu.
      By: grassy22
      Many other martial arts, such as aikido, have roots in jujitsu.
    • Jujitsu is often taught in self-defense classes for women.
      By: Mat Hayward
      Jujitsu is often taught in self-defense classes for women.