Rather than relying on brute force, jiujitsu and judo are martial arts that emphasize using an opponent's force against him. According to Alamance Black Belt Academy, the origins of jiujitsu can be traced to ancient India more than 2,000 years ago. A Japanese educator named Dr. Jigoro Kano studied the best techniques of jiujitsu, and from them, created judo in 1882. Both judo and jiujitsu feature throws, chokes and locks. But jiujitsu is considered the most effective and complete martial art, according to the Alamance Black Belt Academy.
Weapons
Jiujitsu was refined and utilized by the samurai of feudal Japan. It was primarily designed as a means for an unarmed samurai warrior to defend an attack by an armed adversary. However, in certain instances, the samurai combined jiujitsu techniques with the use of small weapons. Weapons used in jiujitsu include batons, chains and knives. In jiujitsu, you are trained to defend against these specific weapons, as well as how to use them offensively. Weapons are not used in judo competitions.
Strikes
Striking techniques in jiujitsu are known as "atemi." As opposed to the kicks used in karate, jiujitsu strikes come in the form of knee thrusts, elbow thrusts, punches to the throat and gouging of the eyes. Strikes are prohibited in judo. Brazilian jiujitsu, which is similar to judo, is a form of jiujitsu that has few striking techniques.
Olympic Sport
Judo became an Olympic sport at the 1964 Games in Tokyo and a full medal sport in 1972 in Munich. The 1992 Olympics in Barcelona were the first Games that allowed women to compete in judo. In judo competitions, the object is to score an ippon, which is similar to a pin in wrestling. An ippon can be scored by forcing an opponent to submit, holding an opponent on her back for 25 seconds or throwing an opponent flat on her back. Jiujitsu has never been part of the Olympics.
Uniforms
In both judo and jiujitsu, participants wear gis. Judo gis are larger and more heavy duty than those worn in jiujitsu. Jiujitsu gis also have shorter sleeves than judo gis. In official judo competitions, gis are subject to strict regulations. In jiujitsu competitions, the rules are more relaxed.
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