Some people call it the “Mother of Martial Arts” while others see it as one type of combat sport among many others. Jiu Jitsu has numerous variations and a diversity of approaches, with more or less popular forms.

Although traditionally known as a Japanese martial art, some historians believe that Jiu Jitsu originated in India and later reached Japan, where it flourished during the Middle Ages. Today, Jiu Jitsu is recognized as a Japanese martial art that stands out for its unique characteristics.

Jiu Jitsu Overview

Jujutsu (name variation) was the first unit given as a martial art in the first half of the 16th century. It was developed by a military tactician and lord of the Japanese province of Mimasaka. The objectives for the use of Jujutsu were clearly military:

1. To help Japanese samurai attack with swords or spears with only a small weapon (the short sword or dagger).

2. Allow lightly armed warriors to engage heavily armed enemies on the battlefield.

There are special techniques and moves that distinguish Jiu Jitsu from other martial arts. Initial combat tactics evolved over time, but simple methods of hand-to-hand combat with no weapons or just a short one remained the essence of Jiu Jitsu attack or defense techniques.

Although many styles are tributaries of the Jiu Jitsu tradition, they mainly use techniques to:

– Throws (imbalance throws, joint lock throws, body throws);
– Immobilize or restrain (immobilize, grab, fight, strangle);
– Hitting (punching and kicking);
– Block and evade (for defense);
– Imbalance (for defense).

Practitioners are trained in the use of numerous potentially deadly moves; however, students train in a non-combat environment where risks are minimized. Dangerous throws, for example, are taught in combination with landing skills for safe practice.

Applications of real life and sports.

Practical applications

Many specialized military systems now rely on using Jiu Jitsu training as the foundation for their training programs. Law enforcement systems around the world have adopted the unarmed combat techniques of this martial art.

sports and competitions

Judo (Olympic sport) remains the most popular of all forms of Jiu Jitsu systems.

– Mixed martial arts competitions are now commonly organized around the world with participants being judged based on the points they earn by applying a variety of throws, grapples and strikes.

– Kata competitions are also popular and competitors are judged based on their performance.

– Random Attack and freestyle competitions are currently among the favorites of the public.

Pastime in periods of peace

Given the large number of Jujutsu schools, competitions or duels were initially organized. Radori, as these challenges were called, was a popular pastime for warriors in times of peace, under unified governments.

– Warriors could thus “fight” or train without the intent to kill and without breaking the law;

– Schools had the opportunity to develop their specific style in an organized environment.

By the end of the 19th century, there were more than 2,000 Jiu Jitsu schools in Japan. Most of the current schools around the world are in a modern form, and only a few jujutsu systems have a direct link to ancient traditions.