Japanese jujutsu or jujitsu, that's what. In other words, you would stop that sword strike from coming and throw your adversary, pin them, or use a joint lock/choke hold. By the way, the Samurai used to play for keeps. In other words, they often practiced moves designed to kill their opponents.
Here's the rest of the story on the dangerous art of Japanese Jujutsu or Jujitsu.
Jujutsu History
Japanese old style jujutsu or Nihon koryu jujutsu was developed and practiced during the Muromachi period in Japan between 1333-1573. This old style of martial arts training was focused on teaching the unarmed or very lightly armed warrior to fight a heavily armed warrior. This eventually led to a significant amount of grappling, throwing, restraining, and weaponry skills being taught to Samurai, the most effective of which depended on the particular situation.
The term jujutsu began to take hold in the 17th century. At the time, it really described all of the grappling related disciplines in Japan being used and taught by the samurai. Jujutsu translates to the "art of softness," or "way of yielding," which reinforces the notion that it is an art that uses an attacker's aggressiveness and momentum against them.
Eventually, jujutsu morphed, changing with the times to the Nihon jujutsu seen more today. Generally, this more contemporary style is often termed Edo jūjutsu, since it was founded during the Edo period. The striking in these styles would be less effective against armor, for example, since no one is really wearing armor these days. However, it would be more appropriate against a plain-clothed person.
The Characteristics of Jujutsu
Jujutsu is characterized by using an attacker's momentum or strength against them by guiding it in a way that the applier would prefer (and not the attacker). Methods taught in jujitsu or jujutsu circles include striking, throwing, restraining (pinning and strangling), joint locks, weaponry, and grappling. It is truly best known for its effectiveness against weapons, use of throws, and its locks (armbars and wrist locks, for example). Weapons use is also taught.
The Goal of Jujutsu
The goal of jujutsu is simple. Practitioners hope to disable, disarm, or even kill opponents, depending on the situation, by using their own aggressiveness against them.
Jujutsu Substyles
There are many schools of Japanese jujutsu or jujitsu. These include some of the older ones such as:
- Araki-ryu
- Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu
- Hontai Yoshin-ryu
- Kashima Shin-ryū
- Kukishin-ryū
- Kyushin Ryu
- Sekiguchi Shinshin-ryu
- Sosuishitsu-ryu
- Takenouchi-ryu
- Tatsumi-ryu
- Tenjin Shinyo-ryu
- Yagyu Shingan Ryu
- Yoshin Ryu
And then there are the more modern schools, sometimes termed self-defense jujutsu schools, such as:
- Danzan Ryu
- German Ju-Jutsu
- Goshin Jujitsu
- Hakko Ryu
- Hakko Denshin Ryu
- Kumite-ryu Jujutsu
- Miyama Ryu
- Sanuces Ryu
- Shorinji Kan Jiu Jitsu (The Jitsu Foundation)
- Small Circle JuJitsu
- World Ju-Jitsu Federation (WJJF)
- Goshinbudo
Related Arts
In a sense, almost every Japanese martial arts style is related to jujitsu. Still, there are some martial arts styles out there that are influenced heavily by jujutsu. These are:
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Helio Gracie of Brazil took the jujitsu/judo concepts he learned from Mitsuyo Maeda and founded an art with a heavy ground emphasis. The guard, or a way to fight off of one's back, is a staple of the art.
- Judo: Jigoro Kano took jujutsu concepts and modified them to the extent that they could become a sport in Japan and worldwide. That sport was named judo.
