First early texts ?

[Karatefighter]

Yeah, I'd say that sounds about right. JJ was the combat art of Japan; Karate has been cited as a civilian self-defense system.

This made me wonder what were the first jiu jitsu texts written and by who ? Any excellent jiu jitsu books worth recommending ?

How did Jiu Jitsu become a combat martial art and how did karate become a civilian martial art ?

[JohnC]

Wally Jay's and George Kirby's stuff are good starting points. However, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (JJJ) has a VERY differnt flavor from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). The first Jiu-Jitsu book I remember reading was Bruce Tegner's back around 1960

Hope this helps.

[Wa-No-Michi]

As John mentions, you have to first understand that Jujutsu today takes many forms (as well as spellings... Jiu-jutsu, Ju-jitsu etc) but ultimately it originated in Japan, was a battlefield art in its early days and was modified according to times.

This is a great essay that goes along way to explain the history behind the art.

You will also get part answer to your question, in that it details that among the first references to these arts were the "Nihon Shoki" (Japan Chronicles), and "Kojiki" (Ancient Records).

https://www.shinyokai.com/Essays_Whatisjujutsu.htm

If it's the real deal you are after (IE Koryu), this site is the most respected in terms of its accuracy. And they have a great book store as well.

https://www.koryu.com/index.html

If its the modern stuff you are after, I guess amazon is your friend?

[Wa-No-Michi]

And as far as where karate and Jujutsu became joined at the hip, well (apart from Wado-Ryu) they didn't really imo, and don't need to be.

Okinawan Karate has an equally rich heritage to that of Japanese Jujtsu. Its indigenous Todi/wrestling attests to this.

Arguably they are two tributaries feeding into the same river that is modern karate, but in truth they are very different I think.

[NightOwl]

The first texts and techniques are mostly from the Edo period in Japan (1600's-1860's). As the country was united under the tokugawa shogunate during the time, many samurai found the time to create systems from the techniques they had gathered (as they no longer had a job fighting wars).

Most early martial arts schools have a weapons based focus reflecting their wartime influence, but as martial arts became more tailored to non warfare based situations jujutsu (originally referred to 'yawara' or 'soft') began to become emphasized. However most koryu schools are not purely jujutsu based but retain weapon based training.

As such I think it could be argued that jujutsu wasn't meant much for the battlefield either and only as a last resort. As for karate, owning swords was banned and it was practiced among the general populace as a folk style of fighting. Thus it utilized what were at the time everyday implements for weapons and focused on striking as opposed to grappling as you wouldn't be fighting armored foes.

[Karatefighter]

The Koryu website is very interesting. Thanks

[Wa-No-Michi]

No probs