Japanese jujitsu is a martial art that began as a Samurai combat style in feudal Japan. Although Samurai were most famous for their swordsmanship, this art of unarmed battle allowed them to continue fighting even when disarmed. Later in Japan's history, after weapons were abolished by the emperor, this martial art allowed the Samurai to continue training without their swords. The key principle of jujitsu is that force should never be met by force. Instead, you should avoid your enemy by using circular and angular movements that uses his own force against him and throws him off balance.
Akayama-Ryu Jujitsu
Akayama-Ryu jujitsu was founded by the U.S. martial arts master Alexander Marshall in 1988 as a comprehensive combat style appropriate for civilians and law officers. It was heavily influenced by judo and aikaido as well as traditional jujitsu styles. It not only emphasizes traditional unarmed combat techniques, such as striking, kicking, joint-locking and throwing, but also provides instruction on how to use small, concealable weapons.
Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu
This school synthesizes techniques from five jujitsu styles, as well as from karate, kung fu and Filipino knife fighting. Students below the black belt level primarily learn the 118 principle moves, which include holds, throws, constriction techniques and advanced forms and combinations of these moves. Black belts can also learn Japanese massage and healing techniques.
Eizan-Ryu Jujitsu
Eizan-Ryu jujitsu is a U.S. that concentrates primarily on urban survival. It emphasizes footwork on flat, hard surfaces, how to fall safely, how to throw an opponent off balance and how to use pressure points, grabs and throws in order to escape an attacker. Because it is primarily a defensive instead of offensive style, it is intended for civilians.
Hakkoryu Jujitsu
Hakkoryu jujitsu emphasizes gentleness in one's manner in order to avoid conflict and gentleness in combat when conflict is unavoidable. This school suggests that respect, empathy, flexibility and smiling at others is one of the best escape moves possible. When this is not enough and a combat ensues, a Hakkoryu jujitsu student will often begin his fight by hitting pressure points in order to avoid injuring his opponent. Only after these painful, but safe, techniques have failed will a student begin hitting vital points. This style also emphasizes intuition, or knowing when to strike, is as important as knowing how to strike.
Hontai Yoshin-Ryu Jujitsu
Hontai Yoshin-Ryu is a traditional jujitsu style, which can trace its roots back to Japan in 1635. In addition to instruction in hand-to-hand combat, this style also incorporates short sword, long and short staff and rope binding techniques. The Japanese masters of this school promote it as a spiritual as well as physical art. As of 2005, this school was headquarted in Nishinomiya, Japan, where it is run by a 19th generation jujitsu master.
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