Difference Between Jiu-Jitsu & Aikijujutsu

Jiu jitsu is a style of martial arts that dates back more than 800 years to its development in feudal Japan and spread around the globe following the opening of Japan's borders in the 1800s. Jiu jitsu and aiki jiu jitsu are different levels from the same form of martial arts that also includes the techniques of ken jiu jitsu in the same family of martial arts.

  1. Martial Arts

    • The development of jiu jitsu and aiki jiu jitsu can be dated back to periods of ancient history in Japan. The first recorded battle using techniques that are similar to those of jiu jitsu is dated to 23 B.C. and is recorded in the Kojiki book of 650 A.D., Tom Lang Martial Arts reports. Between the years 650 A.D. to 793 A.D., Japanese warriors, known as samurai, took the methods of jiu jitsu and developed them to an effective combat martial art. The three areas of the martial arts are jiu jitsu, which is a basic form using hand combat to strike, throw and grapple an opponent, the Sensokan Dojo reports. Ken jiu jitsu uses weapons, such as the sword in combat techniques and aiki jiu jitsu uses control techniques using both empty hand and weapons techniques.

    Techniques

    • The techniques used in jiu jitsu and aiki jiu jitsu differ in the types of combat prepared for. In aiki jiu jitsu, hard techniques used by practitioners inflict death to an opponent through striking, kicking and throwing. The use of soft techniques are used to immobilize and neutralize the attack of an opponent; weapons techniques include the use of the katana or sword and the bokken or wooden sword. Jiu jitsu techniques do not include weapons training, the atemi waza technique includes striking an opponent. Other jiu jitsu specific techniques include vital and nerve point striking and manipulation, while other techniques are ground and strangulation techniques.

    Meditation

    • Both jiu jitsu and aiki jiu jitsu are closely linked to the religion of Zen Buddhism, with meditation an integral part of properly practicing both martial arts techniques. The martial art of aikido is the modern day equivalent of the martial arts of jiu jitsu and aiki jiu jitsu. The martial art of aiki jiu jitsu is seen as an advanced form of jiu jitsu, practitioners often move through the types of jiu jitsu before studying aiki jiu jitsu.

    Principle

    • The martial arts of jiu jitsu and aiki jiu jitsu were developed using the principle of ju no ri, the United States Jiu-Jitsu Federation reports. The principle of ju no ri requires the practitioner to use the speed and strength of the attacker to deflect an attack. The principle can be described as when an attacker pushes, the jiu jitsu user pulls, and when the attacker pulls, the jiu jitsu attacker pushes.