What
is Ju Jitsu?
Who
Can Practice Ju Jitsu?
What
Equipment Will I Need?
Why
do we bow
When
do we bow
What
can i expect in the first week?
Principals
of training
Mentally
Spiritually
Discipline
What
is required of me?
Why
do i shout in class?
History
of Ju Jutsu
What
is Ju Jitsu?
Ju Jitsu translates from Japanese, meaning the Gentle Art.
The English writing of the words Ju Jitsu vary from Ju-Jitsu, Jujitsu,
Jujutsu, Jiu Jitsu, etc.
They are all the same system phonetically spelt from the Japanese Kanji
or character writing.
The art of Ju Jitsu can be traced back over 2000 years and is deeply embedded
in Japanese History.
Originally developed by the Warrior Class of Japan (The Bushi or Samurai),
Ju Jitsu became the foundation for other combative sports such as Judo,
Aikido and some systems of Karate.
Ju Jitsu may be learnt as a method of self defence, a form of exercise,
a sport or purely as a martial art.
Ju Jitsu teaches the martial values of discipline, tradition, respect
and humility, that can be found in the Samurai code of conduct.
There is also the mental or spiritual side to training,
Ju Jitsu aims to provide its students with a clear and focused mind and
a tranquil and unified spirit.
The ultimate aim is to overcome your most powerful adversary, the one
person who can stop you from reaching your maximum potential, your own
self doubt.
Who Can Practice Ju Jitsu?
Ju Jitsu can be practised by anyone, no matter what age or sex.
The principles of Ju Jitsu are based on moving to avoid an attack while
breaking the concentration and balance of an opponent, and the restraining
them.
This is achieved using a combination of punches, kicks and strikes for
long range, short strikes, grappling and throws for close range, finishing
with joint locks and submission holds.
Great strength, however useful is not necessary; skill, timing and movement
being of greater importance.
The techniques are universally applicable and effective, regardless of
the gender or build of the person applying them.
What
Equipment Will I Need?
To begin with
you need loose comfortable clothing. Track suits are ideal as they tend
to cover knees and elbows, however avoid anything with zips or buttons
on the side as these may injure you or your training partner.
Within the first month you will require a licence.
This becomes a log of all your training and includes your insurance. Please
ask to see a copy of the policy for full details.
Without a current licence you will be unable to train after your first
month.
Prior to your first grading, (approximately three months) you should obtain
a uniform (Gi), these are hard wearing and provide an element of padding
and protection.
Prior to your second grading, (approximately three to six months) you
will need to invest in some sparring equipment. you will require hand
mitts along with shin and instep guards.
These are essentials to sparring, and although the Club supplies head
guards, it has only a limited supply of communal mitts and shin and instep
guards. Gumshields and groin guards are optional.
In later training you will need classical Japanese weapons
All
equipment, licences and renewals can be
obtained through your Instructor.
Why
do we bow
The act of bowing is a gesture of trust, courtesy and respect. It is not
a sign of weakness or cowardice.
Bowing can be a little unsettling at first. However, part of the training
of martial arts is to overcome arrogance.
By following the traditions and courtesies as you are shown, you will
be setting an example of true strengh of character and self control.
The Instructor is referred to as SENSEI meaning teacher, and the
Assistant Instructor as SEMPAI, meaning senior or “Older brother/sister”
When
do we bow
The standing bow is performed at the following times:-
1 Bow on entering or leaving the Dojo
2 Bow on stepping on or off the mat
3 Bow when beginning to train with a chosen
partner
and then ask :- “O-negai-itashimasu” (May i have the honour of practicing
with you?)
4 Bow when leaving a training partner and
say :- “Domo arigato gozaimasu” (Thank you very much)
The kneeling bow is performed at the beginning and end of a training session.
What
can i expect in the first week?
The classes start and end with breathing exercises which become meditation
once the students progress.
Very early on you will learn to land safely and avoid being hit, along
with basic concepts.
It is important to become fully comfortable with the early techniques
and concepts as these provide the foundation for the rest of your training.
For the first weeks you will ache in places you did not think possible.
This is normal with any new activity, while the body adjusts to new movements
and new reflexes.
These aches will soon pass and you will have taken the first steps to
overcoming adversity in all its forms.
Principals
of training
Physically
Ju Jitsu is the art of striking and grappling.
It combines punches, kicks and strikes for long and short range, grappling
and throws for close range, with joint locks, strangles and nerve holds
to restrain an opponent.
It is a demanding fighting system which will increase aerobic and muscular
fitness, agility, flexibility, balance and co-ordination.
Mentally
No matter what the reason was that prompted you to begin training, be
it for fitness, self defence or other reason, the bottom line is you want
to improve yourself physically.
While this is achieved during your training period, other more subtle
changes also take place.
You will find that your ability to react calmly under stress improves,
your ability to concentrate or focus on a given task becomes greater,
in all you find yourself developing mental and spiritual strength alongside
your physical ability.
Spiritually
The ability to apply the principals of Ju Jitsu to your everyday life
will help you achieve true victory over the circumstances and adversities
we all face in our family lives, jobs and ambitions.
It is toward this we strive to maintain and live up to the principals
by which the Samurai lived.
These are called the “Samurai no kokoroe” or the Precepts of
the Samurai.
Discipline
One of the main flaws which we must guard against as Martial Artists is
arrogance.
This is why the responsibilities of discipline and respect must be adhered
to.
It is important that as a Martial Artist you must maintain the strength
of character to uphold the rules and values of the school.
What
is required of me?
The location where your training takes place is called a Dojo.
As a basic rule, the Dojo stands somewhere between a place of worship
and a training hall.
Common sense should dictate that horseplay, sloppiness, arrogance, etc.
have no place in the school.
You should maintain a courteous attitude towards all those you train with,
paying attention to advice or instructions given.
It is essential that you are always aware that you are training in an
extremely effective art which is designed to control an opponent through
the infliction of pain.
Injuries in the Dojo most often occur when a student fails to pay attention
to the instructions or get over enthusiastic and do not sufficiently control
their technique.
Control of your thoughts and emotions should be maintained at all times.
Why
do i shout in class?
The shout, or KIAI in Japanese, has many different uses.
The word Kiai comes from the words Ki meaning “spirit or internal force”,
and ai comes from a contraction of the verb awasu, meaning “to unite”.
The Kiai acts as a trigger, co-ordinating neutral and muscular responses
so that everything, spirit and power are concentrated in the same split
second.
The Kiai produces two additional responses. It has the effect of tightening
the muscles of the torso and the lower abdomen, aiding strength.
Finally it has psychological effect upon your opponent, either to intimidate
or startle them into a reaction that maybe used to advantage.
History
of Ju Jitsu
In ancient Japan during mediaeval years there were many exercise patterns
& arts which the Samurai were trained in, one of these was JU JITSU. Pronounced
(Joo-Jit’soo).
The term Ju Jitsu translates into (Ju) meaning soft, supple or gentle
and (JITSU) meaning art or way of. Thus Ju Jitsu means the way of gentleness
or way of suppleness.
There are other translations but all return to the similar translation,
there are also several spellings of the name the Ju-Jitsu (Ju-Jitsu, Jujitsu,
Jujutsu, Jiu Jitsu, etc.)
Throughout much of the world Ju Jitsu has again gained on popularity and
in this country alone there are many thousands of students training each
week. In feudal times it was known as Kogusoku, Kempo Tai Jutsu and Hakuda
but the term Ju Jitsu would have seemed to have been the most popular.
Although unlike western forms of combat the Japanese systems were well
documented, but with this vast amount of information from the many schools,
much of it is contradictory.
Many modern teachers have also created their own schools and have invented
material of their own for their self gratification, but there are still
many associations and schools who maintain the original concept and follow
the early systems where teachers hold history and the art and pass this
onto their students.
According to some ancient documents a famous warrior called Fukuno studied
the methods of fighting without the use of weapons, these documents show
that his skill became such that he was able to take on and defeat opponents
much bigger and stronger than himself.
His art did not grow very quickly at first but two of his students created
their own schools, these students were Terada and Miura. The exact date
of this part of our history is not known but it is thought to have been
before the middle of the Century.
There are many stories and accounts of Ju Jitsu schools forming, creating
the origins as we now know them.
It is suggested that Miura Yoshin, who lived in the province around Nagasaki,
believed that many illnesses were contrived through inactivity of the
body and mind in harmony.
He developed a method of Ju Jitsu which was based around 20 ways of seizing
an opponent.
He devised these ways with two of his students and they went on to form
a further 51.
More documents exist from about this time where Hskuda is explained as
the method of, or art of, kicking and striking as opposed to the seizing
or throwing.
According to these well documented histories of Ju Jitsu there are many
ways of defeating an opponent, these cover stopping the initial attack,
throwing him or her to the ground, restraining him or her in such away
so as to prevent them from rising and placing a lock or strangle so as
the opponent can’t bear the pain.
There are also other forms such as Atemi; this is the art of striking
a particular point or part of the opponent’s body which is either physically
or mentally weak so as to cause extreme pain.
The dates of the first schools or ways is not completely clear but some
authorities believe that JuJitsu appeared during the 13th century, during
its growth many famous schools have been chronicled, these include Tenjin-Shingo-Ryu,
Takenouchi-Ryu, Sosuishitsu Ryu and Kito-Ryu.
Together with others these schools formed a modified synthesis in the
school of Judo founded by Jigoro Kano during the 19th century, himself
being a Ju Jitsu master.