What does Jujutsu mean to you???

[Mekugi]

The title pretty much sums it up.

What does it mean to you? As an exponent coming from another art; as a spectator looking in; as a practitioner.

What is the meaning of Jujutsu to you? Does it simply add to your toolbox or has it completely changed the way you think about the martial arts? Was it your first martial art or supplemental to what you do.

If you no longer practice Jujutsu, why did you decide to stop? If you still practice, what made you stay?


Always,

[Jay Bell]

If you no longer practice Jujutsu, why did you decide to stop?

Something ended up falling in my lap that was everything Jujutsu was to me...plus the small subtle pieces that I couldn't seem to find.

[Mekugi]

plus the small subtle pieces that I couldn't seem to find.

What was everything Jujutsu meant to you? What were those pieces?

[Jay Bell]

Hard to answer, but I'll give it a shot. When I was introduced to Jujutsu, it seemed a means to have a physical representation of what I wanted to gravitate towards in my life. It seemed the more I learned and trained, the more the 'soft' moved into my life. I realized over the years that physical challenges didn't need to be handled by aggression and strength...and it became internalized.

The subtle bits that I couldn't seem to find (didn't have the eyes for at the time) is something I can't really explain...but it was a feeling that I hadn't been able to tap into with Jujutsu training, yet felt strongly merely by watching people train in the art I left Jujutsu for. Maybe it was in the way it was presented that was different...that allowed me to get to that place..

[Mekugi]

Sorry to seem so dim, but do you mean esoteric or physical things? Or both?



The subtle bits that I couldn't seem to find (didn't have the eyes for at the time) is something I can't really explain...but it was a feeling that I hadn't been able to tap into with Jujutsu training, yet felt strongly merely by watching people train in the art I left Jujutsu for. Maybe it was in the way it was presented that was different...that allowed me to get to that place..

[jruner]

To me jujutsu is a way of living. Over time I have learned that jujutsu is truly a reactive art. It is also an art that I feel promotes physical fitness, positive thinking and respect for yourself and others. To me jujutsu is the art of preventing conflict and ending it fast in the most nonviolent(not noviolent like aikido non violent as in matching your opponet's aggression with the same amount of force, but not as cruel as some of the harder styles) manner when it can't be prevented(due to your enemies lack of reasoning). Jujutsu to me is mental, physical and verbal defense art. It is how I live! Jujutsu teaches you to be a master of your emotions and to make split second disicons in a natural reflexive manner. If you are in control of your self then you can control your destiny.

Thanks,
John Runer

[Rasputin]

...that an art which spent the largest part of its evolution as method for soldiers on the battlefield to kill other soldiers in armor as quickly and efficiently as possible would today represent to so many people a martial art whose greatest strength lies in its ability to subdue others without damaging them.

What I find most interesting about this phenomenon is the fact that the art has become no less deadly, even though it is not usually taught to such an injurious degree in this country any longer. A sign of the times, I suppose.

While I am replying, I suppose I should add what Jujutsu means to me:

Jujutsu is my first and only martial art. I am a big guy--6'2", 240 lbs, and I bench over 310 lbs. And yet, the idea of being in a fight and using the other person's energy and force against them is completely appealing to me. I like the fact that jujutsu allows me to act in whatever level of force is required, depending on the level of force that is being used against me by my attacker or attackers. If they punch me I can strike, kick, lock, or pin them; holding them until the police arrive. If they pull a knife or gun I have things that I can do which will signifigantly raise the chances of my survival. If I am knocked to the ground I can get back up as soon as possible or even take care of business while down there if absolutely necessary.

And finally, if I become convinced that they mean to kill me or someone else, I can end them.

[Jeff C.]

Jujitsu is one of those few arts that teaches you the ability to apply as much, or as little, force as YOU want. That is what makes it an exceptional system for soldiers and law enforcement. You can control without injury, you can injure, or you can kill. You and your opponent decide the outcome. It teaches you situational flexibility.

Jeff Cook
Wabujitsu

[Mekugi]

Just as a point of interest here, the majority of the "killing on the battlefield" that went on during the warring era of Japan (before the implementation of firearms) was done with (1)Arrows (2) Rocks. I'm sure there were times when where a chance to use unarmed skills presented itself; however it seems reasonable to assume that this was done to get your hands on a weapon. In a social setting, it would also seem likely that these types of techniques were used to subdue a person, with a variable of force used (or not) could be applied- a place where killing another person is not always appropriate. It is quite reasonable then to believe that these types of techniques took a strong foothold and were refined in a social environment, during more peaceful times.

My two bits, to keep things rolling.

[rubberband]

Wow, what a question!

to me... jujitsu is just a Japanese word that can describe any number of Japanese or non Japanese methods of controlling a fight through taking an opponents balance by way of manipulating the internal relationship of muscles to skeleton... I think at one point jujitsu was a Japanese term but now I see it as a global term... with that said I don't teach jujitsu because I don't have a paper giving me permission... however, I teach the concepts of jujitsu... I have studied many forms of grappling Japanese and non Japanese... some reguired strength others finesse... so in a way I practice jujitsu... but in another way I don't...

I don't see jujitsu as a tool in the box, but rather as a box that holds tools... but then that can be said about any martial art...

So I guess the question is: what makes jujitsu special? I would have to say the adaptability of the art just like the name... it has endured and become well known.

take care, steve

[Jay Bell]

Sorry to seem so dim, but do you mean esoteric or physical things? Or both?


Sorry to take awhile, Russ, I was away for a bit. I'd say both...it was an internal piece that made the physical settle down and relax. (if that makes sense?)

[peacefulwarrior]

I started to practice, because no mater how big, or srong anyone gets thier joints stay the same size and hurt the same amount when bent the wrong way.

ON a deeper level, it is a peaceful end to a violent act, one can mearly stop apply pressure when the attacker stops fighting(which i have seen to be the case most, even here at war), this is not the case with strikeing arts, they deal with violence with controled violence, often with non-reparable damage done to both parties.

[kenkyusha]

It is not bad Judo done (in or out of a hakama). It is not a disjointed series of waza stolen from various sources and pastiched together sloppily... and the translation of Ju to soft... not for uke, but not using muscle to make-up for poor kuzushi, maai, no sensitivity and zero structure.

When I think about the good examples of Jujutsu, what stands-out are: the seamless integration of subtle mechanics, good power generation, good katachi, understanding (not just intellectual) of the art- soup to nuts (all the oyo for all the kata starting from reishiki right up until the last moment of the final okuden waza)... oh, and ability to transfer those movement principles into a variety of situations. Not to much to aspire to in one's own practice is it (no wonder I'm so frustrated all the time.) :D

Be well,
Jigme

[Eric Joyce]

I think you summed it up better than I could Rasputin.

Eric Joyce



...that an art which spent the largest part of its evolution as method for soldiers on the battlefield to kill other soldiers in armor as quickly and efficiently as possible would today represent to so many people a martial art whose greatest strength lies in its ability to subdue others without damaging them.

What I find most interesting about this phenomenon is the fact that the art has become no less deadly, even though it is not usually taught to such an injurious degree in this country any longer. A sign of the times, I suppose.

While I am replying, I suppose I should add what Jujutsu means to me:

Jujutsu is my first and only martial art. I am a big guy--6'2", 240 lbs, and I bench over 310 lbs. And yet, the idea of being in a fight and using the other person's energy and force against them is completely appealing to me. I like the fact that jujutsu allows me to act in whatever level of force is required, depending on the level of force that is being used against me by my attacker or attackers. If they punch me I can strike, kick, lock, or pin them; holding them until the police arrive. If they pull a knife or gun I have things that I can do which will signifigantly raise the chances of my survival. If I am knocked to the ground I can get back up as soon as possible or even take care of business while down there if absolutely necessary.

And finally, if I become convinced that they mean to kill me or someone else, I can end them.