Jiu Jitsu
Jiu Jitsu can be translated into English as the "gentle
or flexible art". As with a number of martial arts, Jiu
Jitsu combined several different styles to form it's style.
The history of Jiu Jitsu can be traced back more than 2000 years,
but only became known as Jiu Jitsu in the 1750's.
 Jiu
Jitsu techniques include kicking, punching, knees, throws,
joint locks, chokes, as well as the use of weaponry. It became
the preferred combat system of the samurai warrior with the
passing of Tokugawa around the year 1800, after which the
social status of the Samurai was reduced to common citizen,
and was no longer able to carry a sword in public. The Samurai
were thus forces to learn empty handed combat in order to
protect themselves.
In the 1880's Jigaro Kano created Judo from the techniques
of Jiu Jitsu in an effort to make martial arts more accessible
and safe for the general populace. Later, in the 1920's Morihei
Ueshiba created Aki-Jitsu, which later became known as Aikido.
Jiu Jitsu eventually came to North America in the 1900's,
and while there is no predominant style of Jiu Jitsu that
is practiced in North America, they all have a similar foundation
of throws, strikes, and joint locks.
While Jiu Jitsu is only comprised of about 50 techniques,
these techniques can be combined in a variety of combinations
and provides a very flexible style, effective for self defense
and fitness.
Some
of the forms of Jiu Jitsu practiced today are:
Daito-Ryu Aiki Jitsu, which combined the use of weapons with
hand fighting techniques.
Goshin Jutsu, founded by Tatsu Tanaka, which places emphasis
on throwing techniques and avoids striking techniques. The
emphasis in this style is health rather than defense.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a more recent development is on of
the faster growing martial arts today. It has gained popularity
through the Gracie family and their fights on UFC and no holds
barred tournaments, proving itself to be an effective style..
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