Kevin O'Hagan | Articles

In recent months Ju-Jutsu is yet again enjoying a new lease of life. There has been much interest shown in the grappling arts and how effective they can be in the street and the ring. Satellite TV beaming in 'Bushido', all out grappling, striking and kicking in ring bouts have brought Ju-Jutsu style techniques to the public eye.

Experienced martial artists, not just novices are wanting to explore the the grappling techniques of Ju-Jutsu. This is great news for the Ju-Jutsu instructors and their classes, especially as in my opinion we have some of the best exponents of the Samurai Art here in the British Isles.

But what we should remember is that Ju-Jutsu is much more than just a grapping art and the above contests are showing only one facet.

True Ju-Jutsu was never intended for sporting purposes or competeing for trophies or prizes, it was an art of warefare, the prize being walking away from an encounter. It was the battle field art of the Samurai, one of the most feared warrior clans of all time. There were no rules or ceremony when they fought, Ju-Jutsu was a weapon of unarmed systems. If a Samurai did not succeed in finishing an opponent with his swords, then it was a knife, stick, chain or even a rock to finish the job. If all else failed then it was an array of hand strikes, elbows, foot and knee blows, chokes, joint breaks, throws and stomps. Some people are too eager to slot Ju-Jutsu into a grappling category. This is an incorrect and inexperienced assumption.

True Ju-Jutsu probably has the largest syllabus of techniques in any martial art system and there are practically hundreds of different styles emphasising various things.

It is also one of the oldest know martial arts with it’s roots not only in Japan but also China and Okinawa. Modern day arts like Karate, Aikido and Judo all stemmed from one or the other of the many Ju-Jutsu systems. Here in Bristol I teach a form of Ju-Jutsu called Kempo Goshin Jutsu, it’s roots are in the battlefield art of Kempo Ju-Jutsu but it adapts and modifies techniques for use in today’s modern urban environment.

It’s emphasis is always on practical combat techniques as any true Jutsu arts were but it recognises that it must deal with modern threats of violence. Most modern arts have turned into sporting ways, Kempo Goshin Jutsu keeps combat reality alive. As mentioned earlier it is not just grappling, there are many other facets to make it a complete art. Atemi-Jutsu/Kyusho Jutsu is striking, punching and kicking vital body pressure points, organs, muscles etc. The striking is done with rapid fire linear and circular motion, fist, palm, fingers, elbows, knee, head and feet are used in combinations.

I encourage my students to work on heavy bags, floor to ceiling ball and focus pads to hit with power and focus. Also included in this section is gouging, clawing, pinching and ripping techniques to the bodies soft tissue and nerve points, essential for close quarter grappling. Kicks are mainly low line aimed at the stomach, bladder, groin and the thighs, knee caps and shin. All types of kicks are used in rapid fashion working on power rather than competition flick-like kicks. Also we work equally on defending against the types of kicks used in other martial arts.

Ju-Jutsu throws differ from Judo throws, in that Judo relies purely on balance breaking and leverage. Although Ju-Jutsu uses these elements it will persuade the opponent to go down or over by throwing with these joints locked or grabbing a pressure point or nerve centre. There is an array of lethal chokes, strangles and neck locks that can be executed standing or on the floor. Also there is a myriad of locks to control or - if facing a weapon attack - be used as fast joint dislocations as it would be suicide to try and control an arm with a knife in it in a street confrontation.

Breakfalls, grappling and ground work completes the unarmed arts using combinations of chokes, gouges, locks, headbutts, bites and other close quarter work when on the deck.. As mentioned Ju-Jutsu is also a weapon art, traditional and modern weaponry is used depending on the particular style. In Kempo Goshin we use batons of all lengths,Yawara Bo, Knife, Makikusgarami (chain), Nunchukas, P.R. 24 Baton, extendible Baton and a host of makeshift weapons like walking stick, belt, credit card, pen, magazine and many more. Just like the Samurai of old we will use everything and anything that works. Not only is the physical worked on but also the proper mental attitude and combat physiology and street wise awareness needed to survive a violent encounter. Mental and physical stamina and strength are both needed in a real street encounter. The Samurai prepared for any combat situation and adapted. This still holds true to modern day Ju-Jutsu.

An art ultimately is only as good as the person teaching or practising it, and belief and confidence in your system must be there. For me Ju-Jutsu has all the answers if you are prepared to look for them! If anyone wants to explore a true martial art with many facets, this is it and you will find it is much more than just grappling.

Anybody interested in the usage of the Yawara-Bo or who would like more information on this excellent little weapon can contact me.