A Short History of Jiu Jutsu

The History of Jiu Jutsu evolved over 2500 years ago.  It’s roots are a combination of many teachings that either originated in Japan or were brought to Japan from neighbouring oriental countries such as China, Korea and India.  It has been believed that Jiu Jutsu can trace it’s roots back to the legendary gods Kajima and Kadori, who used the art against the inhabitants of an eastern province as punishment for their criminal activities.

Nearly 2500 years ago reference was made to Jiu Jutsu and its philosophies which may have occurred   during the Choon Chu era (772-481 BC) in China, a period when open-hand fighting techniques were practised.  When the wrestling sport of Chikura Kurabe appeared in Japan in 230 BC many of its fighting techniques and tactics were incorporated into Jiu Jutsu training.  From 230 BC onward, many different schools of Jiu Jutsu were formed and there is indication that empty-hand techniques were practised, along with weapons, as part of the samurai warrior's training during the Heian period (ca. 784 AD).

The period of Japanese history between the 8th and 16th centuries was covered with constant civil war and many martial arts systems were utilised, practised, and perfected on the battlefield.  Training was used to conquer armoured and armed opponents many close fighting and weapons techniques were created.

Tenenuchi Hisamori (sometimes spelled Takenouche) is often credited with founding and creating a formal art of Jiu Jutsu with the creation of his school of Jiu Jutsu in 1532.  This school taught both armed and unarmed fighting techniques.  In 1559, a Chinese monk named Chin Gen Pinh came to Japan, accompanied with his knowledge and experience of Kempo known as the (China Hand), which was adopted by Jiu Jutsu. Shortly after Chin Gen Pinh came to Japan, Hideyoshi Toyotomi also migrated to Japan from China, bringing with him Ch-an Fa and Korean Tang Su a punching and nerve striking skill and method of fighting. These skills were also adopted by Jiu Jutsu.

In approximately 1603, Japan came to a fairly peaceful period following the formation of the Tokugawa military government by Tokugawa Ieyasu.  During this time, known as the Edo period (1603-1868), the feudal civil wars and unsettled feelings and emotions within many people had plagued Japan for centuries had started to disappear.  Forms and techniques displaying weapons skills of fighting began to yield to weapon less styles, which incorporated many of the grappling ground fighting techniques of the weaponed styles.  Universally, these techniques were known as Jiu Jutsu.  It has been estimated that over 750 systems of Jiu Jutsu were in existence in Japan during the Edo period.

At the end of the Edo period originated the beginning of the Meiji Restoration period in which power had transferred from the Shogun back to the Emperor as a result of an abortive civil war between the different groups of people.  Many samurai warriors had supported the Shogun during the war and as a result, lost much status and esteem when power was restored and reinstated to the Emperor.  An Imperial Law was introduced, making it a crime to practice the old style or method of martial arts of the original samurai. Samurai were also forbidden from carrying their swords or similar weapons.  The art of Jiu Jutsu had nearly disappeared during this period, but had eventually survived because some masters began to practice the art underground in hiding, or in other countries, until the ban was lifted in the mid-twentieth century.