As much as we talk about Ju - Jitsu, the time is never enough and we have not said everything about this wonderful martial art, leading its roots somewhere deep in antiquity.

Historical processes and their influence over Ju-Jutsu progress.

Different fighting techniques and methods without a weapon are developed mostly in all existing cultures but these skills take special attention in Japan. The origin of Ju-Jutsu or the fight without a weapon could be followed back in time of the Ancient and Mythological times in Japan. The Japanese Gods – Kashima and Kadori are the first who use dju-djutsu techniques to punish non-legitimate (broke the law) residents of the eastern provinces.

In a recent follow-up of Japanese views on unarmed combat traditions can be found nearly 2000 years ago when, according to records emperor Suinin commanded two men – Nomi-No-Sukume and Taima-No-Kuehaya to fight. Nomi-No-Sukume took precedence over Taima-No-Kuehaya throwing his opponent on the ground and trampled him to death. In the years preceding the Toguwa era, Japan was a scene of many long civil wars and protracted struggles. This was by the time when Yoroi-Kumi-Uchi, a kind of combat when both participants worn armour was created for the battle field. As such it required great physical strength and endurance. Therefore the fight Yoroi-Kumi-Uchi had not favoured the weaker opponent to gain victory over a stronger enemy, thus discouraged many ambitious warriors to train themselves in this fighting style without weapons.

Looking back in time we cannot avoid mentioning several moments with great historical importance. We will examine them in detail looking at the historical and social circumstances of the time. They also had great influence on the formation and shaping of ju-jutsu schools and their derivatives then. We will mention historical persons which are in the grounds of affairs from this period as well. The history of Ju-jutsu is created more than 2500 years ago. Its roots are a combination of many techniques originated from Japan or were transferred in there from neighbouring oriental countries. It is believed that Ju-jutsi roots can be found in the time of Gods Kashima and Kadori, as we mentioned above.

In the beginning, nearly 2500 years ago we can match Ju-jutsu and its philosophy which can be met by the time of Choon Chu era (772-481 BC) in China, a period when the techniques of fight with open arms was practiced. When the fight Chikura-Korabe appeared in Japan, in 230 BC, many of its fighting techniques were accepted (included) in dju-djutsu training. Since 230 BC many different Ju-jutsu schools have been created and this is a sign that the techniques with empty hand (without a weapon) were practiced long time with a weapon as part of the samurai’s training by the time of HEYAN period (748 AD). Approximately in 880 AD School of Daito Ryu Aiki Ju-jutsu was created by Prince Teydzhun. The period between VIII and XVI century in Japanese history was covered with permanent civil wars and many systems of martial arts were practiced and improved in the battlefield. This technique was used to conquer armoured and armed opponents in very close fight techniques with weapon were created and improved.

Approximately in 1603 Japan entered in relatively peaceful period followed by the establishment of the Tokugawa military government by Tokugawa Ieuasu. During this period, known as EDO period (1603 – 1868) feudal civil wars and the conflicting feelings and emotions in many people who were torn Japan for centuries, forms and techniques of the fight with weapon began to disappear, which included many of the techniques of the grip in stand of the styles with arms. These techniques are known as Ju-jutsu. During the EDO period were count approximately more than 750 systems of Ju-jutsu. In the end of the period came the beginning of MEDJI restoration during which power and authority of the Shogun is back again to the Emperor as a result of failed civil war between different groups of people. Many samurais accompanied the Shogun during the war and as a result they lost their status and respect after the power was returned to the Emperor. The empire law said that if anyone practiced the old methods or styles of samurais’ martial arts was committing a crime. Samurais were not allowed to wear their swords and other weapons. The Ju-jutsu art almost disappeared during this period but survived because some masters began to practice it secretly, hiding in other countries until the ban dropped in the middle of XX century.

So, we can define Ju-jutsu assuming everything said here as follows:

“Ju”- in Japanese means “soft”or “flexible”. In this sense it aims to highlight the differences between it and other military subjects. Much more precise is the second interpretation “flexible” which actually means the ability to adapt to all situations during the battle and it has significant meaning for the fight without weapon as well as the fight with weapon. “Ju” uses the power of the opponent and adds it to its own.

“Jutsu” (Jitsu) – in Japanese means “skill” or “practice”.Also if we examine the large scale of the word it means “art”. This is the highest form in which the practitioner reaches when practicing constantly.

The “Ju” principle highlights that all fighting methods were adapted and improved by different followers. They have acted in accordance with the Ju principles in which the warrior will control the blade of his enemy by attack (counter) that will be so strong as to go through his armour and kill him. The same principle is using when working without a weapon and is expressed to imbalance the opponent and to be thrown on the ground. Terms such as Ju - jutsu makes this principle of Ju one of the main methods that can be fixed by it. This principle lies in flexibility and is taken in two ways - conscious and mentally. To use the principle of Ju, the practitioner must be able to control myself in any situation that would have put his opponent.
One of the modern authorities in fighting culture of Japan Vatatami Kiyoshi declares that Kumi - Uchi is the factual ground on which ju – jutsu has been created. He noted that a logical classification of techniques can be done and understand before making an equivalent definition of the word "ju - jutsu", as it comes to very close to each other fighting systems. This word gives the misconception that ju - jutsu is a system of combat in which no weapon is used, i.e. system of "empty hand".

The “Ju” principle flexibility is built into it and sometimes misunderstood and many additional concepts. “Soft” or “tender” doesn’t mean “weak” in this case. The word “Djutsu” connects the method of fight with military martial arts – BUGEI that are not sporting or aesthetic aspirations. Actually, Ju-jutsu means “flexible art” which includes enemy’s power.
In IX century grip techniques YOROI-KUMI-UCHI became generally known of the military caste. SUMO which was practiced before IX century had strongly influence on Yoroi-Kumi-Uchi. Later, when the samurai were formed as the dominant caste in Japan, these skills become the basis of the grip of some improved systems for fighting at close range. In these skirmishes opponents dressed in protective armor. Accidentally deprived of his arms, thrown from his horse, or located in such a situation that cannot strike with weapons, samurai needed a method that would serve him in close distance to help him set free, to disarm the enemy and to capture the latter. Methods of gripping dominated battles at close range because these types of kick – hit were ineffective against armour. Each samurai has skills in the techniques of grip. In Yoroi-Kumi-Uchi were using certain types of weapons. There is no system to fight from the classic BU-jutsu (martial art), which requires the soldier not be armed, so methods with minimal equipment were enrolled too.

Weapons types used in this period.
One of the most used weapons was the short sword – Kodachi. These close fight methods included free usage of hits onto vital points on human body. They were efficient at correct basic weapons use or part of them in different stage of the fight. Therefore, for the warrior was very important in order to enter in close distance with the enemy and to use shorter weapons such as yoroi-doshi (heavy blade) that is inserted into his belt. To maintain balance and to control the resistance of the enemy, while one hand is trying to remove the short sword, and it crashes in a vital point from the opponent's body in his armour protection (kat-chu) were required great skills.
Vatatami Kiyoshi determines the differences in classic samurai armaments - first, they were fully armed, then more lightly armed and end without armour. The battle between the fully armed warriors is very similar to that we know under the name Yoroi-Kumi-Uchi - struggle to grip the armour. This type of grip is met second time in kog-soku (fight with soldiers armed with light armour), and third time - in Kumi-Uchi (a battle of two fighters in a very close distance without protective armour). From a technical standpoint, the so-called ju - jutsu systems are divided into three main categories of close fight mentioned above, which use clamps. But as the armour was in vogue and wore until the middle of the EDO period, there were forms of Kumi-Uchi and which became the basis of classical ju - jutsu.

Other influences on ju-jutsu progress. There are other influences on ju-jutsu progress. China's influence is felt in the history of ju - jutsu from the school which founded the Chinese dignitary Gempin-Chin as known as Gempin (Chen Yang Pin - 1587-1674). Born in China, later as naturalized Japanese lived in Owari (now Aychi Prefecture). He is said to had taught three Japanese Ronin (samurai without a master) in EDO three tactics, but not methods of the Chinese martial art tsyuan - fa. The Ronins Fukuno Shigiroemon, Muira Yyaiemon and Isogay Dzhirodzaemon later founded schools in which Ju-jutsu was an important part of the material they teach. Sometimes it is overstated as it is claimed that these relations between Gempin and samurais led to the creation of Ju-jutsu and that as such it is a Chinese product. History and records show that forms of Ju-jutsu existed and were used even before Gempin went to Japan and before his birth. Ju-jutsu in itself is a Japanese product. This reveals the fact that the three samurais had an experience acquired in other schools which already were well defined before they establish their own style in Ju-jutsu. There isn’t a Chronicle which denies that Gempin gave a very important contribution to the progress of technical aspects of battle without a weapon during the EDO period, affecting in particular Ju-jutsu. But as several other martial arts and this conveyed to the Asian continent from the Japanese, a major national flavour was retained.

Struggles and styles that do not use arms branched out in different schools. For many of them, there are few reliable records, even guarded by their creators. Thus it becomes very difficult to arrive at their origin. Some say that the development of the struggle without arms is based on techniques imported from China. Based on reliable sources, others believe that the development of unarmed combat styles were local in Japan and are not based on foreign influence.

Ancient schools contributed the progress of classical Ju-jutsu.

Whatever is the side of the dispute, the following schools, which we will mention are some of the most well-known schools that have their origins in this period:
1. Takenouchi - Ryu was formed by Takenouchi Hisamori, born in Haga, a village in the province Mimasaka. During meditation at the monastery Sannomiya in June 1532, he fell asleep after an intense self-training. According to tradition, Yamabushi (mountain warrior) is a member of the religious class, who often travelled in Japan, taught several techniques for disposing of Takenouchi. Yamabushi (mountain warrior) also convinced him of the advantages of small arms against the larger ones. Takenouchi called this style Kogusoku, and art still exists today, after many generations of craftsmen.

2. Kito - Ryu was created by Terada Kanoemon, servant of Kiogoku Thando-no-kami. He first taught unarmed skills of the fight from Terada Heydzauemon, who was a teacher in Fukuno - Ryu, a school founded by Fukuno Shichiroemon. (Fukuno Shichiroemon together with Miura Yodzhiemon and Isogay Dzhirodzaemon, studied Kempo with Chin Gempin, a Chinese who travelled to the temple Kokushodzhi in Azabu and Edo during the late period of the seventeenth century). Having perfected his jiu-jutsu skills Terada Kanoemon founded his own school which called Kito -ryu. This style focuses mainly of throwing skills. Also in katis (separate forms against an imaginary opponent) emphasises on the particularities of throwing techniques.

3. Shibokava - Ryu. The creator of Shibokava - Ryu - Shibokava Bangoro was trained in martial arts without weapons from Sekiguchi Hachirodzaemon, the son of Sekiguchi Dzhushin. After he developed a huge experience he opened his own school in Edo.

4. Yoshi - Ryu. There are two main sources for the origin of Yoshino-ryu.
a) The first is for its creator Miura Yoshin, a doctor in Nagasaki. Convinced that physical diseases were caused by an imbalance between the use of body and mind, he developed several techniques for disposal, bringing its principles to resolve (overcome) this imbalance. Two of his first followers established their schools after his death, called Miura - Ryu and Yoshi - Ryu.
b) The second source indicates Akiyama Shirobey, also a doctor from Nagasaki for creator. While studying medicine in China, he also studied some "te" or "fighting tricks, and also many different techniques of reanimation (kappo). After his returning to Japan, Akiyama began teaching his fighting style, but was unhappy with the small number of techniques. Determined to prove his fighting skills and develop a wider range of techniques, he withdrew to the monastery Temmango in Tsukushi for a few months to meditate and seek inspiration. It was severe winters and Akiyama was watching the snow fall on the ground in front of the temple. He noticed that healthy branches of trees around frequently break or snap under the weight of snow banked up. However, a weak willow tree was able to avoid this, as its branches were flexible. Flexible branches bend after the snow that was on them becomes more. Thus allowing them to "throw" the snow and return to its original position, already released by gravity. Akiyama was so impressed that he founded his new fighting techniques of this principle, giving his sect (school) name Yoshin-ryu, which means "school of the heart of the willow”.
5. Kushn-ryu was created by Inue Kagakatsu. But his grandson Inue Nagayasu (known as Gumbey) was so experienced in ju - jutsu that has often been stated as the cause of Kushn-ryu. This style closely resembled that of Kito-ryu. This is because Inue Nagayasu awhile trained in Takino - a former student of Kito Ryu. Headquarters Kushn-ryu is Edo became very popular.
6. Tendvin-shinio-ryu was created by Iso Mataemon, a servant in the Kiy clan. He was born in Matsuzaka in Ize province and taught with Homma Joemon who was very experienced in Shin-No-Shinto-Ryu. The victory requires skilful execution of atemi – the art of vital and vulnerable points of the enemy’s body; he was convinced by his combat experience.
7. Shinto-Muso-Ryu – Shinto-Muso-Ryu includes many additional arts in its beginning, although it pays attention to work with sword and other weapons. Shinto-Muso-Ryu was created by Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi in the early period of Tokugawa. The third successor of the school Matsudzaki Kinuemon Tsunekatsu added Itatsu-ryu-originate-jutsu (tying a rope) and the Ikkaku-ryu dzhutte-jutsu (art of baton) in Shinto Muso-ryu-biography. In more recent years, the Japanese police changed many of Ikkaku-ryu dzhutte-jutsu techniques for its Keybo-jutsu (police baton art) practices. However, the basic techniques are similar, the purposes and practices Keybo-jutsu techniques have been modified so that officers can more effectively monitor the suspect with a minimum of trauma and also subject it to any price.