The Art of Jiu Jitsu

jiu jitsu

The art of jiu jitsu is a comprehensive self-defense system that allows smaller, weaker individuals to defend themselves against larger, stronger attackers by using proper technique and leverage. Practitioners take the fight to the ground, closing the distance and neutralizing opponents of all shapes and sizes by applying chokes, arm locks and submission holds.

The earliest forms of jiu jitsu developed in feudal Japan as a close combat art designed to enable samurai to survive if they found themselves disarmed and on foot. Kigoro Kano, who developed the Kodokan jujutsu, took great pains to develop effective methods of attacking including striking and thrusting, throwing, pinning or immobilizing, joint locking and strangling.

Jiu jitsu was further developed in the early 20th century when Mitsuo Maeda, a student of Kano’s, immigrated to Brazil. He taught the Brazilian jiu jitsu to the Gracie family who shared their knowledge with students, helping to create modern sport jiu jitsu and the first jiu jitsu academies worldwide.

Modern jiu jitsu includes a wide variety of techniques and styles. BJJ, or brazilian jiu jitsu, is the most well known of these. It is a form of sport jujutsu that is governed by rules set by the Ji-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF). The Gracie family lineage of jiu jitsu, however, is more focused on self-defense applications and submission fighting. Practitioners of this style often train in a non-competitive environment where they practice with partners, running development drills and teaching or explaining techniques to lower ranked students. They also respect their teachers by taking off their shoes before stepping onto the mat, bowing before and after class, and addressing them as coach or professor.