Nihon Jujutsu

Introduction to Nihon Jujutsu

The term "Jujutsu" (also known as Jiujitsu or Jujitsu) is a Japanese word composed of two elements:

· Ju (柔): This kanji means "soft" or "flexible." It represents the idea of using flexibility and adaptability instead of brute force. In the context of martial arts, it suggests the ability to yield, flow, and harness the opponent's energy rather than rigidly opposing it.
· Jutsu (術): This kanji is translated as "art" or "technique." In the context of Japanese martial arts, "jutsu" implies a practical and technical approach, referring to the specific skills and methods associated with a martial discipline.

With different denominations - Yawara, Jujutsu, Taijutsu, Goshinjutsu, Koshi no Mawari, etc. - depending on the historical period, school, content, and teaching methods, all of them refer to a Japanese martial art based on close combat that employs a wide variety of techniques for throwing, immobilizing, striking, projecting, dislocating, restraining, or strangling an opponent.

The term "Jujutsu" is commonly translated as "the gentle art" or "gentle technique," reflecting the idea of using the opponent's force in a specific way rather than opposing it directly. It has its roots in Japanese martial traditions, developing during the feudal period in Japan when samurai warriors used it as a method of combat in situations where they couldn't employ their weapons.

During the Tokugawa period, a relatively stable time in Japan, Jujutsu developed into different schools and complementary methods of varying specialization. With Japan's modernization starting in 1868, the practice of Jujutsu from the old schools gradually declined, and it wasn't until the late 19th century that a new method of Jujutsu, created from techniques of various ancient schools and given its own name called Judo, led to its resurgence. Over time, Judo specialized into a sport with a competitive focus, gradually relegating classical Jujutsu techniques to a secondary role. These techniques were not suitable for competition due to the injuries they caused.

Nihon Jujutsu (日本柔術) is a modern martial art taught with a technical method of Japanese origin and a functional orientation towards personal defense and non-competitive recreational sport.

Its techniques are derived from unarmed Japanese combat from pre-1945 Jujutsu and Aikibudo, as well as from the control and arrest techniques used by the Japanese police, Taihojutsu, which were systematized to a greater or lesser extent by Japanese masters Minoru Mochizuki (1907 - 2003) and Shizuya Sato (1929 - 2011), and introduced in Europe and North Africa by the French master Roland Hernaez (1934 - 2024).

Training includes specific physical conditioning, strikes, joint locks, throws, and immobilizations, focused on self-defense and controlling the aggressor. A wide variety of attacks are employed – defense with and without weapons, against one or multiple attackers, emphasizing a functional orientation and effectiveness while distancing from mystical aspects.

These technical teachings of Nihon Jujutsu are associated with the practice of Nihon Taijutsu because both disciplines share roots and fundamental principles of traditional bujutsu, as well as masters and organizations emphasizing self-defense and unarmed close combat. This relationship enables comprehensive training, where practitioners develop not only the ability to neutralize attacks but also the understanding and application of techniques that enhance efficiency and control in real defense situations.

Seibukan Department of Nihon Jujutsu

Seibukan Budo [SBIF] recognizes various schools, methods, and denominations of Japanese Jujutsu - Nihon Jujutsu (Goshinjutsu, Yawara, Taijutsu, Taihojutsu, etc.), allowing practitioners and instructors who are members of the federation to find the one that aligns with their training and preferences.

This grants instructors the freedom to operate within an international organization like SBIF, promoting diversity and continuous enrichment in the practice and teaching of Japanese-origin Jujutsu, Nihon Jujutsu.