Jujutsu was the unarmed combat art of the Bushi, the nobility and warrior class of feudal Japan. From the 12th century, when Minamoto defeated the Taira clan to become the first Shogun (Warlord), until the Meigi Restoration in 1868, Jujutsu was the weaponless training of the Samurai, and like the bearing of swords, permitted and taught exclusively within Bushi class.

“In aggregate Jujutsu could be defined as an art or technique to attack, barehanded or with a short weapon, or to defend himself from an opponent barehanded or with the weapon.” Kano Jigoro.”

When the Meigi reforms abruptly ended the feudal system, most of the hundreds of family systems (Ryu) of Jujutsu and other warrior arts fell into obscurity. The Samurai who for hundreds of years had been the most feared and sophisticated warriors in their world, lost their privileged status. Kano Jigaro, a student of Kito Ryu and Tenshin Shinryu Jujutsu, founded the Kodokan in Tokyo and introduced Judo to the world. With rules of competition that limited dangerous throws and eliminated all striking techniques, Judo became the sport form of Jujutsu.

The Budo arts, Judo and Aikido, derive directly from Jujutsu and Daito Ryu Aikijutsu. They are practiced and taught with rules or restrictions. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is similarly a budo art, with rules of competition, submission grappling, concentrating on matwork, or katame waza of Judo.

Traditional Japanese Jujutsu is a broad spectrum art, not contested, because the techniques are such that the risk of injury is unacceptable, but practiced in Kata, or formal sets of techniques, teaching responses to real combat or self defense situations, against armed or unarmed opponents, using no weapons or small hand weapons. The Waza, or techniques, of Jujutsu include throwing (nage waza), ukemi (safe falling), striking to vital targets (atemi waza), joint locking (kensetsu waza), joint twisting (gyaku waza), choking (jime waza - standing or on the ground), footwork (dachi waza), body management (tai sabak), matwork (katame waza), et al with many subsets.

“In the kata lie the secrets of the art.” Samurai maxim.

Though not governed by rules of competition or defined by technique Jujutsu is defined and guided by principles.

Ju (gentle, soft, or yielding). Jujutsu is, literally, the gentle art or the art of yielding. The art of using an opponents force against him. Deflecting, avoiding, and redirecting an attack allow a weaker force to overcome a stronger opponent. Bamboo in bending before a strong wind, or a willow tree shedding snow, remain unbowed and unbroken. Mental and physical flexiblity are great assets. “Yield and overcome, bend and be straight.” Lao Tzu.

Restraint - to use force only when necessary and only as much as necessary. In a society of sword-armed Warriors Bushido, like the code of chivalry in Medieval Europe, provided a framework for honor, reason, and virtue, and discouraged excess and abuse of power. The skills of Jujutsu allowed a warrior to defeat unarmed or unworthy opponents without having to resort to lethal force. For us, refraining from unwarranted aggression or over-reaction is a responsibility that comes with the privelege of learning this art. “To win a hundred victories in a hundred battles is not the highest skill. To overcome an enemy without fighting is the highest skill.” Sun Tzu. A fight is over when you can safely walk away.

Jujutsu is a Zen art. Zen (meditation), independently of any religion or philosophy, is a stand alone principle. The regular practice of meditation should be an integral part of Jujutsu training. The virtues and benefits of meditation are many, and practical.

Managing negative emotions, so that fear doesn’t devolve into panic, nor anger into rage

Quieting the mind, useful at any time, essential when dealing with urgent situations. Mu shin, literally no mindedness, allows “clear sight,” heightened awareness, and spontaneous reaction.

Integrating body, mind, and spirit. “The Spirit, controls the Mind, controls the Body.” Samurai Maxim. Training the body, practicing until technique becomes reflexive. Seeking knowledge, and Wisdom, meditating regularly. These are practices that bring mind, body, and spirit into harmony.

Ki, the power of spirit. When we act without inhibition or reservation, whether through training or in desperation, we are capable of extraordinary feats. Ki (Chi in Chinese) is demonstrable, if quasi-mystical. Ueshiba Morihei founded the modern budo art of Aikido (the Way of Oneness with the Spirit) developing training and exercises to enhance and demonstrate the power of Ki. Ki flows in all of us. When our motives are free of ego and inhibition we can direct and apply a higher power.

Rational Technique. For it to be Jujutsu a technique must be effective, efficient, and appropriate. Effective - It only counts if it works. Efficient - The maximum effect with the minimum of effort. Appropriate - Necessary and sufficient to meet the needs of the situation.

When Kano founded Judo ca 1875 he intended that the way be taught openly to Japanese and foreigners. Yamashita Yashiaki, an inner student of Kano, brought Jiu Jitsu to the United States around the start of the twentieth century, training President Teddy Roosevelt himself along with several of his family and staff,

“The Art of Jiu Jitsu is worth more in every way than all of our athletics combined.” President Theodore Roosevelt,

Kano and the Kodokan made Judo a world-wide sport, while preserving many of the real combat and self defense techniques and kata. Shihan Goody had earned the rank of Ni Dan (black belt 2nd degree) at the Kodokan, where he studied with Nagai Sensei, Hachi Dan (8th degree) and Master of his own family system, Nagai Ryu Jujutsu. Among the skills he learned under Nagai were Tanto Jutsu, (the art of the knife), and Katsu and Kwappo, reviving and restoration.

After WWII Shihan Goody met Frank Matsuyama, the Hereditary Grand Master of Matsuyama Yawara, an advanced Jujutsu taught only in certain Hatamoto, high ranking families in the Tokugawa Shogunate. Matsuyama had instructed Police Departments in California (prior to the war), and Colorado in the art, and use of the yawara stick. Shihan Goody became a private student (uchi deshi) and peersonal friend of Matsuyama. They founded the American Budo College together, and Matsuyama designated Goody Shihan as his successor. Yawara was taught only to advanced students at the school. Membership in the Yawarakai was granted only to ranking students, by invitation and initiation. I was initiated into the Matsuyama Yawarakai ca 1970, when I was head sensei at the American Karate School in Boulder, Colorado. R.S.