Ju Jitsu (Sometimes spelled Ju Jutsu or Jiu Jitsu) is a Martial Art dating back over 2,500 years. Ju Jitsu is made up of two Ideograms or Kanji which translate as- Ju soft or gentle and Jitsu meaning Art in the sense of Martial Art, when combined it mean the “Gentle Art”.
Its origin comes from India when the monk Bodhidharma traveled to China and creating the early manuscripts for the Martial Art. It is then that the Chinese had developed these teachings and further passed them along into the culture. The earliest practitioners of these techniques were monks and doctors who used this ancient wisdom to help heal and increase longevity. It is said that early Japanese doctors came to learn of these techniques along with the methods for medicine and the martial art nearly 2,000 years ago.
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In china the earliest system in china was called Chin Na, which translates to “Seize and Grab”. Chin Na exists in all systems of Kung Fu. This method of combat was the first to come from China to Japan.
Beyond this point the history of Ju Jitsu has best been written in the paragraphs below:
Japanese history can be divided into eight periods:
The first account of jujitsu-like tactics in Japan dates to the Ancient period. In the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters), a historical writing, there is an account of Nomino-Sukune wrestling with and finally kicking to death Tajima-no-Kehaya. This battle, which took place in 23 B.C., is usually credited with being the origin of sumai, a combat form of sumo wrestling that developed into several empty-hand styles of combat, jujitsu among them.
During the Nara period, sumai and sumo were supported by the imperial family. These forms developed further in the Heian period and began to be used in conjunction with weapons, primarily the bow, spear, and sword.
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Dennis Helm is the author of
2000 YEARS: Jujitsu and Kodokan Judo
Atemi, the art of striking vital points of the body, was practiced with the butt ends of these weapons in close-quarter fighting. These techniques became a part of what would eventually be called jujitsu.
Daito Ryu Jujitsu (or Aikijujitsu), a martial tradition (or ryu) that emerged during the later part of this period is the foundation on which modern aikido is based.
Takeda Sokaku, Soke of Daito Ryu Aikijujitsu
(October 10, 1859–April 25, 1943)
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Morihei Ueshiba, Soke of Aikido
(December 14, 1883–April 26, 1969)
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During the Kamakura period, Japan’s feudal era, the military class (or bushi) accelerated the development of grappling techniques, which are an important part of jujitsu. These techniques, used when the major weapon was lost, involved close-quarter fighting, especially with knives or short swords. Yoroi kumi-uchi was a form of grappling used against an opponent wearing full armor. Although these techniques were developed for armored combatants, the principles were readily transferable to unarmed and unarmored combat.
The Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu was founded in the 1400s during the Muromachi period, making this tradition one of the oldest (and most influential) martial systems in Japan. It contained a form of grappling called yawara-ge (“peacemaker”) that could be used independently of weapons, although it usually involved weapons such as the kodachi (a short sword) and was not preferred to the use of major weapons.
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Miyamoto Musashi, Japan’s great swordsman, studied yawara-ge, to which he attributed his great skill in kakushi-jitsu, the art of using small, concealable weapons. Another martial system, the Muso-Jikiden Ryu, included 100 techniques for fighting in armor that were collectively called yawara-gi (“meekness”). Again, these techniques could be applied with or without a weapon. All of these arts contributed to what we today call jujitsu.
The Development of Jujitsu in Unarmed Combat
From 1467 until 1574, primarily during the Muromachi period, continual civil wars stimulated the development of all military arts. The techniques that would later become jujitsu were still secondary to the use of weapons, although they continued to augment the close-quarter use of weapons. For example, the Takenouchi Ryu (or Takeuchi Ryu), founded in 1532, included in-fighting techniques against an opponent clad in the light armor of gauntlets and leggings. These jujitsu-like techniques were called kogu soku or koshi no mawari (literally, “around the hips”).
The Azuchi or Momoyama period was relatively peaceful. Presumably, empty-hand techniques continued to be developed. The term kumi-uchi eventually became the term for all the empty-hand arts of the period.
The Edo or Tokugawa period was an important time for jujitsu. Commoners were prohibited from carrying weapons, so they turned to empty-hand forms of combat. During this period, the term jujitsu became associated with these forms and replaced the term kumi-uchi in general use. But commoners lacked the martial experience—the expertise with weapons from which the unarmed arts developed—and the instruction necessary to create combatively sound systems. These common forms of “jujitsu,” such as they were, soon became the practice of criminals and of the nanushi, the “bouncers” in houses of prostitution. The bushi (or soldiers) continued to practice their fighting forms, but these were kept secret within the ryu, which was often restricted to family or clan members. Some schools of jujitsu also became more aesthetic during this time: they began to develop the practice of the art as a value in its own right, as a form of philosophical and spiritual discipline, as well as preparation for combat.
Jujitsu was also simply called yawara during the Edo period. In the late 1600s, the Sekiguchi Ryu included a style of yawara based on sumo and suitable for use with weapons. The Oguri Ryu founded in 1616, included techniques called wajitsu (the art of softness). These techniques were modified from those of yoroi kumi-uchi to be used against opponents wearing the street clothes of the Edo period. The Nagao Ryu included what it called taijitsu (body arts), a general term for empty-hand techniques that became popular among commoners in the period. This ryu was also noted for its kakushi-jitsu techniques.
The Development of Jujitsu as a Philosophical Discipline
Kito Ryu jujitsu was founded during the Edo period. This ryu, a system of combat-effective techniques, both armed and unarmed, is the foundation for much of Kodokan Judo, including modern sport judo. Eventually, the techniques became aesthetically oriented. Terada Kan’emon, the fifth headmaster of Kito Ryu, founded Jikishin Ryu jujitsu after he retired from the Kito Ryu. He is credited with the first use of the word judo and with establishing the practice of empty-hand techniques as a discipline with philosophical implications.
In the early 1800s, Iso Mataemon founded the Tenjin Shin’yo Ryu. This ryu was completely devoted to jujitsu and emphasized Atemi (strikes) and kata (form) in mastering the aesthetic and combat applications of jujitsu. From this time on, many martial arts also began to incorporate the concepts of Zen Buddhism into their teachings, thus formalizing the practice of the art as a philosophical discipline directed toward the Zen concept of enlightenment. Thus, kyujitsu (archery) began to include the practice of kyudo, an art devoted entirely to the discipline of drawing the bow and releasing the arrow, not necessarily to accurately placing arrows in a target. (In kyudo, the arrow is usually released into a target only two meters away.) So, too, did kenjitsu (sword-fighting) begin to include kendo (fencing with bamboo staves, now a competitive sport), and iaijitsu (drawing and cutting with the sword in indoor and urban settings) begin to include iaido (the art of sword drawing for form and technique). In contrast to the strictly martial orientation of the “jitsu” traditions, the “do” disciplines added a strong focus on how the art was practiced, in addition to (and sometimes instead of) the martial applications.
The golden age of jujitsu lasted from the late 1600s to the mid-1800s. After this time the combat-effective forms of jujitsu rapidly disintegrated. Still, during this period, 725 different martial ryu included techniques that might be called jujitsu.
In 1882, shortly after the beginning of the Meiji period, Jigoro Kano founded Kodokan Judo.
Professor Jigoro Kano, Soke of JUDO
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Professor Kano studied many of the old jujitsu schools and became proficient in the Kito Ryu and Tenjin Shin’yo Ryu. Jujitsu was still associated with criminals and cheap exhibitions of fighting “skill.” Professor Kano was principal of the Tokyo Higher Normal School and the first president of the Japan Society of Physical Education (an organization similar to the Amateur Athletic Association in the United States), in addition to being a jujitsu master. He made jujitsu a respectable form of physical education that was eventually taught in public schools throughout the country. He eliminated the obviously dangerous techniques, modified others so that they could be practiced safely, and developed a curriculum for teaching the techniques that resulted in what is called Kodokan Judo. Although he is remembered more for his development of sport judo, he also preserved many of the older jujitsu techniques. These techniques are still taught to higher-ranking students. He also established the ranking system used by many martial arts today, that of the kyu-dan (class-grade) system of 10 kyu or student ranks, which are generally indicated by colored belts or by colored tabs on belts, and 10 dan or black-belt instructor ranks, which are usually distinguished by different markings on a black or a red belt.
Professor Kano adopted three ways to practice his system. First was kata (literally, “dance”) or prearranged techniques to be practiced unhurriedly, smoothly, and gracefully to develop skill and coordination. Second was randori (free play), a more rigorous form of practice in which two partners helped each other to learn in a friendly exchange of throws, holds, chokes, and joint-locks. Third was shiai (“battle”) or competition with rules. It is said that kata trains the body; randori trains the mind; and shiai trains the spirit.
Judo as we know it today has become highly competitive. This emphasis on competition was probably not Professor Kano’s intent, but Western influences after World War II, including the inclusion of judo in the Olympic Games in 1964, have made shiai the focus of training in many judo schools.
From:
Jujitsu Techniques & Tactics by Douglas Musser and Thomas Lang,
Copyright 1999 by Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
Excerpted by permission of Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL.
http://www.humankinetics.com
The main premise of Ju Jitsu is to apply a technique with efficiency being soft on the practitioner and painful or hard on the recipient.
All Japanese systems have a root in some form of Ju Jitsu. Ju Jitsu has 3 general main areas of application: Striking, Grappling and Throwing. These applications are specialized in the Japanese Martial Arts of Karate, Judo and Aikido respectively.
The Development of Kihen Ryu ™ Ju Jitsu
Joseph C. Mandese, Soke
Kurai Ryu Ju Jitsu
Initially the concepts and principles came from the Yamato Ryu Ju Jitsu were then developed in Kurai Ryu and are now in Kihen Ryu™. It all began in 1939 when my Sensei had his first street confrontation. He was an only child to a single mother and grew up in Morris Park Neighborhood in the Bronx, New York City. One day when he was 4 years old on the stoop in front of his house playing with a friend of the same age a 9 year old came by and started picking on his friend. He intervened and found himself on the ground with bully sitting on his stomach ready to begin punching him. In an instance he wrapped his legs around the bully’s face and slammed him into the concrete in a kip like motion. This was his first fight; he didn’t have a father, big brother or any protection to help him in these early formative years. From this time until the age of sixteen, Sensei recalled over a thousand street confrontations in which he was victorious and usually made his opponents submit with a painful lock. At this time a dojo opened up around the corner from his home above a dry cleaner. It was 1951 and a retired Navy veteran from World War II opened the dojo. The system taught was Yamato Ryu Ju Jitsu. The Sensei’s name was Steve; his wife was the daughter of the Soke. Sensei Steve was a Nidan and his wife a Yondan, but due to culture he was the head of the dojo. The Dojo was opened as a result of the system head losing so many members during World War II that the existing members were sent out around the world to recruit and increase membership. In 1955 the headquarters in Japan had recalled all its members, the dojo closed and only two Blackbelts graduated; Sensei Joe and a classmate who was older and married Sensei Steve’s sister-in-law and returned with them to Japan. Sensei Joe had asked his teacher what he should now.
Sensei Steve replied:
“Practice all the other systems and they will reinforce your Ju Jitsu”.
Sensei Joe went on training in different systems for the next 30 years. In 1989 Sensei Joe had retired from his occupation as the owner of two Printing companies. He was 54 and he came to my Tae Kwon Do Dojang, where he gave a demonstration in which he threw the entire class over and over again with one technique-the 4 directions throw. I had never seen anything like it. Until that point in time I was involved in a hybrid system of Shotokan and Tae Kwon Do, I had been practicing since 1986 and progressed in a primarily striking system. I was amazed as he
Nadeem Ansari, Sensei1986
at his 1st Tournament
Nadeem Ansari, Sensei1988
He landed everyone on their back and we all swore he never touched us. He asked us to throw a hard and fast straight punch to his chin and over and over all everyone would say was ”I saw my fist, his face and then the ceiling”. As a result I and 4 senior students had Sensei teach us once a week in a group lesson; 9 months later I was the only member left in the group.
Joseph C. Mandese, Soke Kurai Ryu Ju Jitsu
teaching a seminar with
Nadeem Ansari assisting 1996
Kurai Ryu Ju Jitsu
Seminar with
Nadeem Ansari assisting 1996
I would travel to Sensei Joe’s home and work with him privately for years until 1995. Sensei had recruited a few more students and we trained regularly. In 1998 we had our first formal promotions in which I earned a Shodan in his system Kurai Ryu Ju Jitsu.
Nadeem Ansari, Shodan 1999
In the subsequent years I kept training with him and teaching others, not just my classmates but, I even had students when I was away in college. My students were able to be recognized in his system in his lifetime, which was a great achievement for me. I continued to do so consistently until he passed away in 2003. At this time the system fractured and I began trying to preserve his legacy. It was difficult to put together the system because Sensei was Kurai Ryu and he took much of the information with him. Training with Sensei for 14 years was an amazing experience, his genius was unparalleled, his generosity and kindness unending and his techniques unforgiving.
Joseph C. Mandese, Soke
Kurai Ryu Ju Jitsu Throwing
Nadeem Ansari 2000
Unfortunately it is undocumented as no one really knows all the information. I once asked Sensei Joe, why he formulated Kurai Ryu Ju Jitsu and not continue with the original Yamato Ryu Ju Jitsu system he originally learned?
Sensei Joe replied:
“My Sensei forgot to mention that by practicing other systems, would not only reinforce my Ju Jitsu,
But also change my Ju Jitsu”.
His system is memorialized and remains intact with a few students who trained with him, however much has changed from the original system I was taught and in 2005, I formulated Kihen Ryu™ Ju Jitsu and formally established it in 2006.
Nadeem Ansari, Sensei 2008
Kihen Ryu Ju Jitsu International
Currently I have been working with some prestigious organizations and have been expanding my knowledge base and network. It has been a wonderful and progressive time for me and I look forward to increased network and mutually beneficial exchanges. Kihen Ryu will always remain a traditional Ju Jitsu system, with a modern problem set. With the assistance of my network I will remain on the cutting edge.
Nadeem Ansari, Mark Kline, Jerry Vega, Gary Rooks,
Nelson Berrios & Evan Pantazi 2006
Kyusho International
Seminar
Nathan Wender, Evan Pantazi & Nadeem Ansari 2007
Kyusho International Seminar & Certification
Felipe Polanco, Nadeem Ansari, Bruce Bethers
& Stephen Moliterno 2007
Kihen Ryu Ju Jitsu & USTKJ Judo Promotions
Victor Confeitero, Nadeem Ansari and Stephen Moliterno
Felipe Polanco, Frank Polanco, Michelle Moliterno,
Peg Dumser and Christine Grande
2008
Kihen Ryu Ju Jitsu Promotions
The Future is yet to be written, I am continually making efforts to bring forth an efficient system of the martial art and transfer the wisdom of this practice to all aspects of life. I am available to consult, Teach and Train I encourage anyone who would like to become a practitioner to come and join me in this wonderful journey and gain from it as much as I have.
Contact
Nadeem Ansari, Sensei
Kihen Ryu Ju Jitsu International
7371 Atlas Walk Way, Suite # 155
Gainesville, Virginia 20155
Fax: 540-301-0599
Email: KihenRyu@Gmail.com
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