| Brief History: | | | | style. The basic techniques of attacks includes throws, |
| Jujitsu is a 2500 year old unarmed combat discipline | | | | locks, hitting and striking, thrusting and punching, pinning |
| that has its roots in ancient Japan. The exact date on | | | | and immobilizing, strangling and joint-locking, with strong |
| the creation of this martial art form is hard to trace but | | | | emphasis on throws, locks, and defensive techniques. |
| techniques resembling that of Jujitsu had already been | | | | In-fighting and close work are also focused upon. |
| incorporated into the training methods of the Samurai, | | | | Even though Jujitsu is basically an unarmed fighting |
| from the 8th to the 6th centuries. Earliest Japanese | | | | system, small weapons like the Jitte (truncheon), Tanto |
| historical records such as the Kojiki (Record of Ancient | | | | (knife), or Kakushi Buki (hidden weapons), which include |
| Matters) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan) | | | | the Ryofundo Kusari (weighted chain) or the |
| also have passages related to unarmed combat | | | | Bankokuchoki (a type of knuckle-duster) may also be |
| systems. | | | | used in combat. |
| Before this Japanese martial art developed into what | | | | Competition Systems: |
| we know as Jujitsu today, there were many other | | | | Conventional Jujitsu can be dangerous, or maybe even |
| Japanese combat techniques such as Kogusoku, | | | | fatal if its fundamental techniques were to be applied. |
| yawara, kumiuchi, and hakuda etc, also collectively | | | | So, in order to make the art a safer sport for the |
| known as Sengoku Jujutsu. Traditions finally gave rise | | | | competitive arena, systems and rules have to be |
| to the modern Nihon Jujutsu we know today, which is | | | | introduced. That is why most of the competition |
| classified under Edo Jujutsu - the true unarmed | | | | methods have incorporated "Half-contact", which |
| Japanese combat system. | | | | prohibits serious attempts to knock out an opponent. |
| Jujitsu gained prominence during the reign of | | | | 1. The Fighting System: This is the most popular |
| Tokugawa in the 1600s but was soon alienated when | | | | method, divided into three phases. The first is for |
| Emperor Melse regained power. However, towards | | | | striking only, the second for striking, grappling and |
| the mid-20th century, the ban on Jujitsu in Japan was | | | | throwing, and the third includes ground-fighting such as |
| lifted, following the Meiji restoration, and the combat art | | | | chokeholds. |
| form began to be widely practiced. | | | | 2. The Practical System: According to this rule, two |
| The Philosophy: | | | | defenders are surrounded by four attackers from four |
| Jujitsu revolves around three basic states of mind - | | | | corners. Highest points go to the best defender judged |
| Zanshin, Mushin and Fudoshin. The proper combination | | | | upon effectiveness, oversight and control of the |
| of these elements gave the power, preparation and | | | | situation. |
| potential to the practitioner to excel in the Jujitsu art. | | | | 3. The Duo System: In this system, contestants are |
| 1. Zanshin - "remaining spirit" - connotes the readiness | | | | randomly chosen and awarded points for effective |
| for anything at any given time. | | | | defences. The attacks are divided into four groups of |
| 2. Mushin - "no mind" - Its spontaneity permits | | | | five attacks each. |
| instantaneous action without conscious thought. | | | | 4. Combat Jujitsu: The most recent system developed |
| 3. Fudoshin - "immovable mind" -during times of | | | | in the United States. Victory in the competition is based |
| confrontation. | | | | on submission. The combat round between the two |
| Basic Methods: | | | | opponents lasts for not more than two minutes. |
| Jujitsu is a circular, hard and soft, external combat | | | | |