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History of Ju-Jitsu
Even though the true origins of Ju-Jitsu are impossible
to trace, elements of the art can be traced back over 2500 years. Mythical
stories of Kajima and Kadori two legendary gods tell of how the inhabitants
of an eastern providence were punished for their lawlessness using Ju-Jitsu
techniques.
Chikura Kurabe, a wrestling sport that appeared in Japan
in 230BC had many techniques that were incorporated into Ju-Jitsu training.
During the Heian Period (784 AD), Ju-Jitsu was incorporated into
the Samurai Warrior's training so that he could defend himself against
an armed attacker in the event he lost his sword. In 880 AD the
first Ju-Jitsu Ryu was formed by Prince Teijun.
One of the first Ryu that used Ju-Jitsu as a primary art
was founded in 1532 by Takenouche Hisamori. Legend has it that
while on a pilgrimage, Takenouche collapsed from exhaustion after training
and meditating for several days. In his delirium he received a
vision from a phantom warrior. The warrior taught him five techniques
of immobilization, and the advantages of using short weapons over long
ones.
Prior to the foundation of the Takenouche-Ryu, open-handed
combat techniques existed solely as a subordinate art to a major weapons
system. Most modern Ju-Jitsu Ryu can trace their lineage directly
back to Takenouche. In the early 16th century, Hideyoshi Toyotomi introduced
the Chinese Art of Ch-an Fa (punching and nerve striking) to Japan and
it was adopted by Ju-Jitsu.
During the Edo Period (1603-1868), under the Tokugawa military
government, Japan became a more peaceful area. Weaponless styles
began to replace the weaponed forms of old. During the Edo Period,
it is believed that more than 700 systems of Ju-Jitsu existed.
During the Meiji Restoration, the power of Japan shifted
from the Shogun back to the Emperor. Since the Samurai had supported
the Shogun, an Imperial Edit was set forth, making it a crime to practice
the martial arts of the Samurai. Many of the practitioners became
bone-setters, as they were well practiced from the injuries sustained
in the dojo. Unfortunately, many more used their skills to put
on fake wrestling shows for public amusement, or became gangsters. Some
masters took the art "underground" or practiced in another country until
the ban was lifted in the mid-twentieth century.
Ju-Jitsu is the father of some fairly new martial arts.
In 1882, Jigaro Kano developed the art of Judo using Ju-Jitsu
as the model. In the 1920's Useshiba Morihei developed Aikido
which is based on Ju-Jitsu. In modern times, true Classical Ju-Jitsu
is restricted to a very few. It is taught to police and special
operation military forces, but there are few opportunities for the general
populace to learn this ancient art of Feudal Japan as it was meant to
be taught.
Visit
our Dojo at 2132 Pulaski Hwy, Havre DeGrace, MD 21078
or
call 410-272-6770
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