Jiu Jitsu

Jiu-Jitsu is a Japanese martial art which emphasizes throws, joint locks, choke holds, and immobilizing an opponent. It was developed because samurai fighters wore body armour, and other striking systems were ineffective. The art has evolved in so many ways over the hundreds of years it has been practiced that today even the spelling of the word is different depending on what Jiu-Jitsu system is being discussed.

Schools for the art are called a “ryu” but each can vary a great deal from the next. Jiu-Jitsu can include the individual styles and additions each instructor finds useful. Ancient forms of the art included biting, or anything the fighter could employ for victory. Emphasis in training is not on striking but striking may be used to get an opponent off balance in order to gain a favourable position or hold. Jiu-Jitsu is essentially all disciplines that one can add to their skill set.

By the 1600’s there were 2000 ryu schools in Japan. These schools went in different directions and many other fighting systems were created. The last major divergence was in 1905, when a number of schools joined the Kodokan and created what is now judo. For hundreds of years foreigners have studied the art, and upon returning home, evolved it further with the addition of local fighting techniques. Other martial arts that have been derived from Jiu-Jitsu are karate, sambo, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, aikido, kempo and many others.

The modern version of Jiu-Jitsu is a self-defence system that includes strikes, holds, blocking and evading, and throws. It’s used by law-enforcement agencies worldwide and remains the best choice for self-defence because of all the options the art presents. Ranking and advancement in the art is usually awarded for the level of technique displayed. There are no tournament trophies or other superficial distractions, only a commitment to improve and gain knowledge.

Jiu-Jitsu is about reacting to your opponent’s aggression to gain a favourable position and maintain control over them. It is the study of combat techniques to best defeat any physical threat one may face.