Jujutsu is the art of gentle and supple yielding wherein a person uses an opponent’s energy against him.
Some historians consider jujutsu to have evolved among the samurai between the eighth and 16th centuries as an unarmed fighting style. Kicks and punches would have little effect if a warrior lost his sword and had to defeat an armed and armored opponent, so the fighters would use pins, throws, chokes and joint locks on unprotected targets like the neck, wrists and ankles.
Other historians label jujutsu as Japan’s first martial art, originating in 23 B.C. Legend says Emperor Suijin ordered wrestling champion Tomakesu-Hayato to fight Nomi-no-Sukune, who kicked Tomakesu-Hayato to death. Nomi-no-Sukune’s unique fighting style became the predecessor of jujutsu.
Two other possible jujutsu origins include Chinese traveler Chen Yuan-ping teaching three ronin (samurai with no rank or master) the techniques in the 17th century; and after Akiyama Shirobei learned close-quarters fighting in China, he returned to Japan and created jujutsu.
Although short weapons were once stressed during training, most modern training focuses on empty-hand combat. Jujutsu has influenced the creation of other martial arts such as judo and aikido.
– March 28, 2013
Wally Jay was one of the most respected masters in the martial arts community — in part because he maintained an open mind while studying a variety of arts but also because he was willing to modify his techniques to keep them effective and up to date.
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– June 14, 2012
This article is the third of three excerpts from the Wally Jay book Small-Circle Jujitsu, in which the late founder describes the foundational ideas of his system of jujitsu techniques. These concepts are essential reading for anyone looking to get started in the art — or, on the opposite end
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– June 13, 2012
In 2007, George Kirby was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as Instructor of the Year. It was an honor long in coming because George Kirby has been teaching budoshin jujitsu since 1967, during which time he has written five well-regarded manuals on the “gentle art” for Black
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– June 12, 2012
This article is the second of three excerpts from the Wally Jay book Small-Circle Jujitsu, in which the late founder describes the foundational ideas of his system. These concepts are essential reading for anyone looking to get started in the art — or, on the opposite end of the spectrum,
Read More »
– June 11, 2012
Born in Honolulu in 1917, the late small-circle jujitsu founder Wally Jay held a 10th dan in jujitsu and a sixth dan in judo. He was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 1969 and 1990 for his outstanding contributions to jujitsu and the martial arts overall. In
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– April 16, 2012
In virtually any violent encounter that falls short of attempted murder, your goal will be to escape from the threat as expeditiously as possible. If an assailant is gripping your wrist and dragging you somewhere you don’t want to go, your first concern is to make him let go. If
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– August 18, 2011
For the last move in our jujitsu techniques series, check out the very first jujitsu weapons technique George Kirby learned.
Here is what the jujitsu master had to say about it:
“Believe it or not, this was one of the first techniques I learned under Seki and it was for a knife
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– August 9, 2011
George Kirby— a 10th-degree black belt in jujitsu—is an internationally recognized martial arts instructor and author, has taught jujitsu techniques and tactics to the Los Angeles Police Department. Because it allows you to control your opponent, the armbar rear throw is a popular jujitsu technique among law enforcement.
See what the
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– August 5, 2011
Can empty-hand jujitsu techniques improve your weapon skills? We asked our friend George Kirby this question, and the result is our latest free ebook—Basic Jujitsu Techniques: 4 Budoshin Moves to Improve Your Jujitsu Weapons Training.
Long before the Brazilian jiu-jitsu tidal wave washed over the world, George Kirby was diligently spreading
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– July 29, 2011
Want a really simple jujitsu throw? This is it.
The outer rear sweeping throw is a simple, easy-to-execute jujitsu move that just about anyone can perform, which is why it’s one of George Kirby’s top 10 jujitsu techniques. Here’s what George Kirby, author of Jujitsu: Basic Techniques of the Gentle Art,
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