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What is Ju-jutsu?

Ju-jutsu is a Japanese Martial Art meaning "the gentle technique" or "the soft technique", but "soft" can be replaced by words like flexible, adjustable etc. Ju-jutsu contains punches, kicks, throws, armlocks, necklocks, defence against weapons and lots of other techniques.

History of Ju-jutsu

Boddhidarma (Daruma in Japanese) was a monk who lived around 500 AC. Boddhidarma travelled from India to China to spread the Zen Buddhism. The Buddhist religion prohibited the monks from using weapons. According to legend Boddhidarma developed a system of self-defence to protect himself from robbers. This self-defence system was based on using as little force and as much speed and flexibility as possible to turn the opponents force against him. Boddhidarma's system of self-defence became the base for Ju Jutsu and similar Martial Arts . Boddhidarma is also believed to be the grandfather of Zen Buddhism and as the Zen Buddhism spread throughout Japan so did his self-defence system. The techniques used in Ju Jutsu, kicks, punches, throws, grappling, are all used to defend oneself against one or several armed or unarmed opponents. The samurai's practised Ju Jutsu in different schools (ryu) where they were educated by grand masters (O Sensei).

As the feudal system was abolished in 1867 many of the schools was closed and the techniques faded away. During early 1900 the interest for Japan began to grow and the Ju Jutsu began to spread throughout the world.