Jitsu

This is a martial art based upon a moving system of striking, locking and throwing. The idea is to use an opponent's body weight and momentum against them in the case of an attack. This means that you do not yourself need to be strong or heavy to do this sport, only that you grasp the technique, in order to exploit the motion of your opponent.

It is practiced in Great Britain under the Jitsu Foundation, which is part of the British Ju-Jitsu Academy This martial art emerged between 1600 and 1650 and in the late 17th Century, there were more than 700 systems of this art in Japan. Amongst these were Aiki-jutsu, daitokan, Daito-ryu Aiki-jutsu, Goshin-jutsu and Hakko-ryu. These and other schools competed against each other in frequently lethal events. These schools taught only a few techniques, since the Samurai relied on his sword.

The true origins of Jitsu are unsure however.

'Jitsu' Defined

Jitsu is a term, used in isolation almost exclusively as a name of style of jujutsu practiced by the Jitsu Foundation - a British martial arts association.

'Jitsu' is western misspelling of 'jutsu' - a Japanese word translating to 'art' or 'skill'.

The unarmed fighting style Jitsu refers to is often spelled several different ways: most properly 'jujutsu,' but often 'Ju-Jitsu' or 'Jiu-Jitsu.'

Ju translates to 'Gentle','Soft', 'Pliant' or 'Adaptable'.

Thus Ju-Jitsu means the 'gentle art' as opposed to just Jitsu meaning 'Art', which by interpretation could be a little misleading.