Exactly what is Jujitsu?

[Goku]

I am going to start this along with some other martial arts.......... But what exactly is this specific martial art about? Is it throws and holds.....or is it the kicks and punches type? Any tips for starting this? thanks

[Treebranch]

It really depends of what kind of Jujutsu. Traditional Jujutsu have punches, kicks, locks, throws, and ground fighting. It really depends of the style of Jujutsu and the school.

[G Money Slick]

It means way of the gentle hand. It's older than modern karate and was used by Samurai as an unarmed system during the Fuedal Age, it's Japanese wrestling. It's very effective from what I hear though I've never trained in it. I know that Combat and Traditional Hapkido were derived from specific concepts of Jujitsu and Aikido.

[Gumbi]

It depends on what kind of Ju Jitsu you're talking about. There are several schools of Japanese Ju Jitsu, each of them focusing on one particular aspect of combat. Japanese Ju Jitsu is indeed a complete martial art, with strikes, throws, and submissions. Some JJJ schools were reknown for their throwing techniques (looking like Judo) some more for their striking techniques (looks like some types of kung fu perhaps) and then some using more ground fighting (looking like submission wrestling)

 

Then there is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (spelled Jiu to distinguish from the Japanese schools). BJJ focuses mostly on ground work, and a lot of emphasis is placed on guard work- whether it be passing from the top or submitting/sweeping from the bottom. BJJ also has minor clinchwork (included are knees and elbows) escapes from holds (standing or on the ground) and takedowns which are primarily Judo.

 

The biggest difference between JJJ and BJJ is all BJJ schools have heavy emphasis on ground fighting as well as heavy emphasis on live training with your partners so as to learn how to fight against a live resisting opponent.

[Goku]

Ok thanks. That helped a lot. It may seem dumb that I said I am starting it without even knowing what it is.....but the way I have to pay.....I might as well take it. I have to pay a $38 dollar fee for the gym membership.....then if I want to do the fighting (karate, jujitsu, and kickboxing offered) it's an additional $15. So I'm going to go to all 3. I'm just starting but I figure if I'm going to do all 3 I might as well start off on all 3. Because if I do 1 primarily to begin with then I'll have more of a problem ajusting later on to the others. Well thanks for all of your help. It's greatly appreciated.

[Gumbi]

If you do all 3 you could screw your head up. Alot of different fighting styles have different approaches to how you should fight. If the kickboxing class is some cardio workout bullshit, I'd ditch it. If they actually teach you boxing techniques and dont do point sparring, then its probably your best bet. You'll also have to find out what kind of Ju Jitsu they're doing too (personally I dont like training with a dress on, but some places train with their ninja uniforms on.... and that is totally sweet)

[Gunyo Kogusoku]

Hi this is my first post here.

 

Jujutsu translated directly from Japanese means "gentle" or "supple art". Jujutsu is primarily a grappling art that includes stiking, kicking, choking, joint locking, pins and throwing techniques.

 

At present there are many classifications of jujutsu. There is classical jujutsu, modern generic jujutsu and sports jujutsu.

 

Classical Jujutsu - All classical jujutsu ryuha (styles/traditions) originate from Japan and date back before 1868 (The Meiji restoration. Each classical jujutsu style is unique, with different psychological mindsets, different approaches to grappling and defeating the enemy and some styles also include some weapons training. Almost every style is combative. Examples of some classical jujutsu ryuha are; Tenjin Shinyo ryu, Takenouchi ryu, Hontai Yoshin ryu and Sosuishi ryu.

 

Modern generic jujutsu - Some ryuha originate not only from Japan, but from foreign countries. Most modern generic jujutsu styles seem to consist of similar techniques. Most don't really have homegrown techniques and draw their technical repetoire from judo, aikido and karate. Some are solely based on self defence and others are focused more on the more sporty, flashier side.

 

Sports Jujutsu - Competitive forms like Brazillian jujutsu and jujutsu Kumite (Found in Europe and the UK).