History

Ju-Jutsu or Ju-Jitsu (Japanese, “science of softness, soft art”), techniques of combat elaborated by the bushi (“knights”) during the Kamakura period (1185-1333) in Japan. It was intended for disarmed warriors so they could defend themselves against enemies who were still armed. Thus, the techniques were designed to disable, cripple, or kill. This art developed from the ancient techniques of kumi-tachi or yawara described in the 12th-century work Konjaku monogatari. Over the centuries various schools developed, such as wa-jutsu, yawara, kogu-soku, hakuda, shubaku, and kempo. Techniques were combined with movements and countering grips adopted from Chinese methods of combat. Ju-jutsu became a martial art during the Edo period (1600-1868), when Japan was at peace. Many schools were created by the ronin (masterless samurai) and the techniques spread through the country. They were codified at the beginning of the Meiji period (1868-1912) from the time when samurai were forbidden to carry swords and feuds between noble families were prohibited. By this stage ju-jutsu had a bad reputation and was associated with bandits and criminals. From it, in 1882, Dr Jigoro Kano developed judo (“the gentle way”).