The Meaning of Jiu Jitsu

Jiu jitsu is a Japanese martial art that teaches a combination of grappling and striking techniques. The “jiu” is often translated as “soft,” “gentle” or “yielding,” while “jitsu” translates roughly to “system” or “art.” Thus jiu jitsu is often called the “gentle art,” reflecting its focus on locks, holds and throws in addition to striking attacks like punches and kicks. Jiu jitsu is still taught today and has also led to some variations on the art, such as judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu.

  1. History

    • The origins of jiu jitsu are largely unknown, although it is known that jiu jitsu was developed into a refined grappling system sometime during the feudal period of Japan. The aim was to give samurai a fighting chance should they lose their sword. Given the large and bulky armor worn by the samurai, kicks and punches would be largely ineffective, so joint locks and throws were developed.

    Style

    • Unlike many other martial arts like karate or tae kwon do, which specialize in a certain aspect of self-defense, jiu jitsu is a complete system. Its curriculum covers striking, or "atemi waza"; defense against weapons, or "bukidori"; joint-locks, called "kansetsu waza"; throws, or "nage waza"; ground fighting, or newaza"; and chokes, or "shime waza." Therefore, it takes many years to master jiu jitsu, but students gain a grounding in a variety of fighting techniques.

    Training

    • Training typically starts with a warm-up of cardio and joint-loosening exercises. Technique training then begins, which might include striking, locks or throws. All students learn breakfalls, to allow them to be thrown without injury. Clubs differ in the amount of free sparring, or "randori," that they use, but most will teach specific techniques in coordinated drills, such as how to block a punch and move into a throw. Students are graded during their training and wear different colored belts to indicate their proficiency, starting with white and moving to black.

    Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

    • In 1925, Carlos Gracie, a Brazilian jiu jitsu expert, opened his own school in Rio de Janeiro. Gracie and his family began to develop and refine the ground fighting aspect of jiu jitsu, eventually removing strikes completely. This version of jiu jitsu exploded in popularity when Royce Gracie used it to great success in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As well as being a staple of mixed martial arts training as seen in the UFC, Brazilian jiu jitsu is now a martial art and a sport in its own right, with an international federation and competitions held all over the world.