Japanese Jiu-Jitsu

Jiu juitsu is a Japanese martial art which translates to "the gentle healing art." Jiu Jitsu is a system of unarmed close combat techniques used to defeat or control an enemy who is also unarmed.

Basic methods of attack include hitting or striking, thrusting or punching, kicking, throwing, pinning, strangling, and joint-locking. The warriors or bushi who developed jiu jutsu were careful to create several methods of defense, which include blocking, evading, off balancing, and escaping, and falling safely.

In comparison with the empty-handing fighting martials of China and Korea, Japanese jiu jitsu places much more emphasis on throwing, immobilizing, pinning, joint-locking, and strangling. Striking techniques are much less important, whereas Chinese and Korean systems emphasize punching, striking, and kicking.

The methods of dealing with opponents is dependent on the teachings of the jiu jitsu instructor. Because in jiu jitsu every conceivable technique, including biting, hairpulling, and eye gouging is allowed, practitioners have an almost unlimited choice of techniques. Some teachers instruct their students to take out an opponent as fast and hard as possible, while others favor taking an opponent down in a controlled way, and then keeping them under control with joint locks.

All jiu jitsu styles contain cultural factors which help give students a sense of the traditional character of their schools, and include: an atmosphere of courtesy and respect; the type of gi, or training suit worn; lack of ostentatious display; the use of traditional ranking systems; and the lack of tournament trophies, badges, or any other superficial distractions.