Jiu-jitsu (translated from Japanese "the art of softness") is a general term for martial arts that use strikes, grabs, breaks, painful holds and throws to defeat an opponent. Japanese samurai studied this direction as a method of confronting an enemy armed and protected by armor.
The main principle of jiu-jitsu is to turn the energy of the attacker against him. Give in, succumb to the onslaught of the enemy, instilling in him the hope of victory, and then, when he is trapped, overthrow him by force.
This rule was inspired by a natural phenomenon. Shirobee Akayame, a Japanese physician at the court, once observed how large tree branches broke in a storm or snowfall, while thin willow branches only bent, succumbing to the elements, but then rebelled again.
According to the legend of history, inspired by what he saw, having studied wushu and systematizing the techniques that he knew, the doctor developed a unified system of opposition and opened his own "willow school" - Yoshin-ryu. This is the very beginning of jiu-jitsu.
The origins of the art of gentleness
Jiu-jitsu sprouts emerged in antiquity. At that time, this technique was not designated as an independent art of combat. It was composed of elements of various directions.
Sumo
Sumo technique was not original - throws, jerks, creases, and the main emphasis is strength. But simplicity does not mean safety - some wrestling techniques were forbidden in sports fights, because they could mutilate or kill. These elements were tested only in combat, in duels and fights.
Yoroi-kumiuchi
In the 10th century, a new system was formed on the basis of sumo - yoroi-kumiuchi. It was a confrontation in armor, which began while still in the saddle and continued after the fall of the samurai. Heavy ammunition did not allow them to fight while standing, and the rivals used special techniques, blocks and short cutting weapons against each other, which they tried to get into the cracks of the equipment.
The bulky armor made the yoroi-kumiuchi system look like a sumo. Here, too, power and endurance prevailed, but an understanding of techniques and knowledge of armor was required.
Kogusoku-jutsu
This fight was a derivative of kumiuchi. It appeared in the 16th century, when horsemen in massive armor were replaced by infantrymen in lighter and more open equipment. This made it possible to fully use the rich hand-to-hand technique: to overturn over the shoulder, hip and back, overturn the head, and hit the pain points. The strike system and weapons were also actively used, and binding techniques appeared.
The technique of jiu-jitsu in the 17th century has accumulated the combat experience of each of the directions. It concentrated order, invincibility, dexterity and wisdom of times for posterity.
First schools
The skill of Jiu-Jitsu was not easy - the technique of the system is complex, skillful and required the right to a weapon, which did not exist in the lower strata of society. That is why it was studied only in schools.
The first appeared in 1532 by the works of the Japanese Takenouchi Hisamori. Having knowledge of military tactics, the creator was able to combine the main methods of close combat, including against all sorts of cold weapons. The fighting technique of the Sakushikiyama school was in many ways reminiscent of today's ju-jitsu tactics.
A quarter of a century later, a fighting school reopened in Edo (Tokyo). It happened in 1558, when Chen Yuan-bin appeared here - a native of China, masterfully owning a unique system of techniques, knowing how to crush the enemy with grabs, strikes on pain points and lightning throws. With those who wanted to master the sacrament of battle, the founder studied at the temple of Buddha Sekoku-ji, for a small fee.
He taught many people and three of his students became followers of their teacher and founded their own schools.
In the 17th century, the jiu-jitsu business developed and grew stronger - schools arose one after another. At this time, there were about 100 of them.
By the end of the century, about 730 styles stood out in jiu-jitsu, each with its own unique characteristics. They were distinguished by the formation of breathing, basic positions and leading a certain group of techniques.
In the 19th century, anti-firearms techniques were introduced in schools where this martial art was studied, which were practiced during hostilities.
Technique
When the martial art of jiu-jitsu appeared, the world lived according to different laws. It was a cruel time, and the point of any combat training was to kill the enemy. Since the enemy was most often in armor, the blows on him did not always reach the goal, and therefore this practice contains many creases, grabs, throws and suffocation techniques.
Modern jiu-jitsu is aimed at effective self-defense. What is being taught in the section today?
- To hold balance;
- maneuver;
- self-insure and group when falling;
- throw and break the enemy;
- beat correctly and accurately;
- act on sensitive points;
- block the enemy's breath.
Classical Jiu-Jitsu schools teach their students in the same way as their predecessors. That is, the technique here practically does not change from master to master for several generations. It consists of basic exercises (kata) and various ways to implement them (randori). By tradition, they teach here confrontation with an unarmed and armed enemy, a duel with or without ammunition, fencing.
Jiu-jitsu philosophy
Physical strength and fortitude are inseparable concepts. Each sports direction has its own postulates and philosophy. Basically, these are all-round development, a healthy lifestyle, spiritual values.
Giugizio's philosophy fits into four concepts:
- health;
- society (communication);
- knowledge and work;
- spiritual development.
If one of the aspects is missing, the integrity of nature is impossible. That is why adherents of jiu-jitsu cultivate the necessary values almost from infancy, so that in adulthood a person feels confident and stands firmly on his feet.
Jiu-jitsu improves body, soul and character, focusing on the main moral qualities. Judo and aikido were created on the basis of this martial art.
Weapon for battle
Jiu-jitsu allows you to fight not only with your body, but also with your weapon. The following are considered classic:
- Japanese brass knuckles "Jawara" - a bar 15-30.5 cm long;
- dze - a baton in 1 m;
- long (2-2, 5 m) pole "bo";
- belt or rope "wei";
- tanto is a simple knife.
The modern art of softness
Like any martial art, jiu-jitsu develops several directions.
- The basic section outlines the basic provisions of hand-to-hand combat. The program of all sections begins with them, as well as all courses on self-defense and for beginners.
- The military section learns special shocking techniques, ways to injure or even kill. In the same category, they teach how to handle weapons at a professional level. The system was once practiced by samurai and widely used in the army.
- Now it is also being introduced into the training of employees of power and law enforcement agencies. Techniques help them to resist offenders and suppress all kinds of provocations.
- The sports section implies wrestling as a sports direction. Competitions between followers of the martial art are held everywhere. The prospect of joining jiu-jitsu to the Olympic Games is not ruled out either.
Development of wrestling in Russia
Along with sambo and hand-to-hand fighting, primordially Russian types of wrestling, a lot of combat techniques from different countries have taken root in Russia. From Japan came karate-do, sumo, ninja teachings, kedo, judo, aikido and, of course, ju-jitsu.
By the way, this version of the name is acceptable only in Russia - in Japan the system is called "ju-jutsu". Distortion is due to translation - mispronunciation of Japanese words in English.
Jiu-jitsu took a long time to gain a foothold in Russia. The tactics of art were appreciated, accepted, but at the same time transformed into the national wrestling "sambo". In the 30s of the last century, everything that was domestic was positioned, and foreign manifestations, even if it was a sport, were banned.
The Japanese combat system was rehabilitated in the USSR unexpectedly. In 1964, it became part of the Olympic Games, and the party government had to recognize it in order to nominate its national team. True, this art was called in a different transcription - "judo".
Later, jiu-jitsu reappeared in the USSR, thanks to the efforts of Joseph Linder, who in 1978 created his own school, where he held competitions and championships.
After the collapse of the USSR, the Moscow government accredited the Okinawan Union of Martial Arts, and in 2009 the representative office of Japanese traditional martial arts was accredited in Russia, with the aim of further development on its territory.
Today jujutsu training is prestigious and popular. Wrestling lessons are learned not only by guys, but also fragile women, children, including girls, if there are no contraindications.