INTRODUCTION Before we talk about the history of Ju-Jutsu, I would like to take some time to explain the meaning of the word itself. Ju refers to softness or flexibility as opposed to the hardness and rigidity of steel (a sword for example). Jutsu refers to technique or art. Thus, Ju-Jutsu means soft techniques or soft art. Furthermore, there are several ways to spell Ju-Jutsu (for example Jiu-Jutsu or Ju-Jitsu), but in this article we will refer to it as Ju-Jutsu. THE HISTORY OF JU-JUTSU Some historians believe that Japanese Ju-Jutsu can be traced back to a Zen-Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma (in Japan called Daruma). Bodhidharma is said to have brought a fighting style (Shaolin boxing) to China from India around the fifth or sixth century A.D., but the earliest traces of the Chinese Martial Arts dates back to the time of the Chou Dynasty, the royal lineage that ruled China from about 1122 to 255 B.C. This fighting style was not the same as modern Ju-Jutsu, but it probably had the basic fundamental techniques and principles, which later developed into the more advanced unarmed combat-techniques in use today. The author would like to point out that there are several martial arts styles that have developed from different early civilizations, each of which may have its own separate and distinct origin. During the Japanese civil war many different martial arts were developed into perfection. The Japanese professional soldier (Samurai meaning servant or Bu-shi meaning combat-man) was trained from a young age to be a skilled martial artist. He learned to master many different weapons, especially the Japanese two-handed, razor-sharp sword, katana, but also the halberd, javelin, combat-scythe, bow and arrows, and other small (sometimes hidden) weapons. Many Japanese historians assert that in Japan they practiced combat systems without weapons by the end of the fifth century (in particular combat Sumo-wrestling), but the style "Ju-Jutsu" probably was originated by the Takenouchi Ryu (Ryu meaning school). The first school was opened in 1532 by the Japanese Takenouchi Hisamori. We can say from his system, built on techniques from combat Sumo-wrestling, Ju-Jutsu began an identity, but the name Ju-Jutsu or Yawara (flexible) was first used around the year 1600. When the civil war ended and Shogun Tokugawa rose to power circa 1600 and only the Samurais were permitted to carry weapons, the Japanese started to develop many different Ju-Jutsu styles; 725 styles were officially accounted for in Japan during the 17th century. The different styles had then (and it's the same today) different specialties, harder or softer, some focusing on kicking and punching, others in throwing, and yet others in joint-locks and takedowns. At the end of the 19th century, many Japanese martial arts styles were beginning to die out -- the old art did not seem necessary in an emerging industrial age. Yet some of the schools continued to practice over time -- especially Kito-ryu, Tenjin-ryu, and Daito-ryu. Over time there originated from Ju-Jutsu some different martial arts styles including some Karate styles, Judo in 1886 (originated by Jigoro Kano), and Aikido in 1936 (originated by Morihei Uesiba). MODERN JU-JUTSU Japanese society remained the same for nearly 300 years under a military dictatorship. At the end of the 19th century it began to open up under pressure from diplomats, merchants, and other representatives from western countries (especially US and English officers) when the Shogunate ended. Consequently, Ju-Jutsu came to be used in many countries' military and law enforcement training, and Japanese Ju-Jutsu masters visited the USA and Europe even before the turn of the twentieth century. During this time, some of them began traveling and exhibiting their skills and techniques (what people at that time called "tricks"). In these exhibitions they would sometimes compete with well-known wrestlers and other fighters -- often much larger than they were -- and win. Over time the Samurai's martial arts became a modern sport (called Budo meaning Martial Ways) with World Championships in different disciplines. Judo eventually became an event in the Olympic games (1964). In the USA, different Ju-Jutsu schools developed from people who had been in Japan, as well as Japanese instructors visiting the U.S. Americans began practicing traditional Ju-Jutsu techniques, but soon other new styles started to develop which accommodated modern thinking and laws. Ju-Jutsu started to grow and be recognized around 1930 in the USA, but later, from 1965 and onward, other martial arts like Karate, Chinese Kung-Fu (Wushu), and later on Korean Tae-Kwon-Do became much more well known and grew faster. These martial arts became popular because of public exposure to different Kung-Fu and Karate movies, but even Bruce Lee was studying and practicing for a living with Ju-Jutsu legend Professor Wally Jay before he developed his own style, Jeet Kune Do, which has many similarities to Ju-Jutsu. PRACTICING JU-JUTSU TODAY Ju-Jutsu is a fighting and self-defense system for everyone regardless of one's physical condition. Because Ju-Jutsu is applicable to all persons, women and men of all ages and sizes, it places priority on practicing self-defense without competition rules and limitations, while emphasizing adhering to the particular laws and decrees that exist in one's respective country. In this way Ju-Jutsu parts from most of the other martial arts styles. It is not a "Do"-form (Do means "way" e.g. Judo means "the soft way" and Aikido means "the way of universal power") or a form to be trained for competition only. Ju-Jutsu is a fighting and self-defense system! I think the strength of Ju-Jutsu is that you can learn and choose techniques to use without restraint. You can always find some new angles and moves from the best of the different martial arts styles in the search for a more effective way to make a good system. This is what I did when I constructed and incorporated many different techniques to make a great system, described in two books Seiei Kan Ju-Jutsu, Volumes I and II (Seiei Kan means picking from the best), co-written by Mr. Don Madden. Ju-Jutsu is the ultimate self-defense. It covers the entire spectrum of different realistic types of attacks, and you learn to use kicks, punches, knees, elbows, throws, take-downs, joint-locks, ground-fighting and more in order to protect yourself. Many Ju-Jutsu styles and organizations, both national and international, have integrated competition as an opportunity for those who wish to test their skills. Ju-Jutsu is an excellent form of exercise, especially when considering the importance of maintaining or increasing one's flexibility, endurance, and strength. If you ever need to defend yourself you need to be in good shape, so I would recommend practicing at least two times a week. Ju-Jutsu is also good practice for children. It builds up self-confidence, coordination, and it teaches them respect, discipline and other social benefits. QUESTIONS ABOUT JU-JUTSU OR SEMINARS If you want information about Ju-Jutsu & Self-Defense Club at the Ohio State University, Columbus Ju-Jutsu & Self-Defense school, Chillicothe Ju-Jutsu & Self-Defense school, or about attending or setting up seminars in Ju-Jutsu, Karate, Judo, Ground-fighting, Women's or Men's self-defense, Bouncer Techniques, Law Enforcement defense tactics, A.S.P. Baton Techniques, or other related topics, please contact me Martial Arts Alliance Att: Bo Kimly, Shihan 3759 Ridge Mill Dr Hilliard, OH 43026 Fax & Phone: (614) 921-0496. E-mail: ju-jutsu@bright.net