Excuse me, could someone tell me the difference...

[Kendo_1981]

Excuse me, could someone tell me the difference between Jujutsu and Aikijujutsu?

[Toby Threadgill]

Jacob,

The difference is mostly historical. All authentic aikijujutsu is descended from Sokaku Takeda and Daito ryu. He coined the name aikijujutsu in the early 20th century. The idea behind this name was jujutsu technique executed utilizing "aiki" principles. Now, defining "aiki" is problematic because these principles existed in several schools of swordsmanship and are not universally the same. So what is aiki to one school might be different in another.

As far as comparisons with other schools of jujutsu go, many embrace principles very similar to those broadly defined as "aiki" but use a completely different name. In Shindo Yoshin ryu we use the name "myoden" to categorize both a set of principles and group of techniques that are very similar to those identified as "aiki" in Daito ryu. As part of our Gokui Mokuroku, these are consider high level teachings.

Aiki and aikijujutsu has become rather faddish in recent years as people interested in aikido's roots sought to better understand its origins. That has been good and bad. On the good side it has given proper credit to those like Sokaku Takeda, who were a huge technical influence on Aikido's founder, Morihei Ueshiba. On the bad side numerous schools and styles of aikijujutsu have popped up that have no verifiable links to Sokaku Takeda. If someone in the US is claiming to teach aikijujutsu check to see if they have legit links to Sokaku Takeda. If they do not have verifiable links to Sokaku Takeda, it's not authentic aikijujutsu but someone trying to capitalize on the popularity of the name.

[TonyU]

Wow, very educational. I didn't know this either, but it never occured to me to ask.
Thank you Mr. Threadgill