Translated literally from the Japanese, Ju means "gentle" or "soft" and Jitsu means "art". This has much more to do with the way the technique is applied, rather than the result for an opponent!

 

There are many stories regarding the history of Ju Jitsu which date as far back as the 8th Century, but the most common references to a Ju jitsu form of combat are found in the 15th century martial art tradition known as the katori-shinto ryu.

 

There is evidence that Ju jitsu was brought to Japan by a Chinese monk called Chen Yuanein (1587-1671). So although Ju jitsu is viewed today as a Japanese martial art, there is a strong belief pointing at Chinese origins.

 

While Ju Jitsu was first practised in Japan by the samurai, followed by the ninja, it achieved notoriety with use by many of the bandits of the time.

 

Through this dubious association, Ju jitsu earned a poor reputation. It was during this time that Jigura Kano developed the art of judo, meaning

"the gentle way" from a combination of Ju Jitsu techniques. His aim was to correct the reputation Ju Jitsu had acquired as a deadly art through its connections with banditry.

 

Today, Ju jitsu has gained the reputation of being one of the most effective self defences in the world.