Jujutsu is considered the mother of all Japanese martial
arts.
Once called taijutsu or yawara, jujutsu was a loosely organized system
of attack and defense methods that included throwing, hitting, kicking,
joint locks, and many other types of skills. Although modern
practice centers around throwing, grappling, and joint locks, there are
many variations on the way jujutsu is taught. It is one of
the
most effective forms of self-defense, since it employs simple motions
for coping with a variety of attacks. Ukemi, or safe falling
skills, are a vital part of jujutsu, being both a form of self-defense
and also a necessary part of two person practice in this art.
At ITAMA we teach Nihon Jujutsu, a modern system of pure Japanese
jujutsu headed by Shizuya Sato, 9th dan and one of the last direct
students of the legendary Kyuzo Mifune of the Kodokan. Basic
practice consists of defensive stepping drills, safe falling skills,
and fundamental locks and throws. At the intermediate level,
students are taught challenging techniques involving fighting attacks
and dynamic throws and pins. Advanced students face
continuous
attacks from several opponents, armed attacks, and learn to counter
with sophisticated parries, takedowns and grappling techniques.
At the same time, we emphasize the mental and spiritual
benefits.
Learning to perform physical skills correctly and applying them
correctly always engages the student's ego. By facing one's
own
weaknesses and learning to overcome them, the student can become calmer
and more confident. Learning to cooperate in practice helps
to
teach teamwork skills. Working within a hierarchy builds a
system
of positive values. These positive characteristics can be
applied
to all areas of life, yielding benefits far greater than the obvious
ones of better physical health and the ability to defend oneself.
Nihon Jujutsu Mokuroku
For more information, you may send an email to Dan Holland at
dholland@itama.org
.
