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The Samurai Art – Jujutsu
Jujutsu is a Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon or only a short weapon.
“Ju” can be translated to mean “gentle, soft, supple, flexible, pliable, or yielding.” “Jutsu” can be translated to mean “art” or “technique” and represents manipulating the opponent’s force against himself rather than confronting it with one’s own force.
Because striking against an armored opponent proved ineffective, practitioners learned that the most efficient methods for neutralizing an enemy took the form of pins, joint locks, and throws. These techniques were developed around the principle of using an attacker’s energy against him, rather than directly opposing it.
There are many variations of the art, which leads to a diversity of approaches. Jujutsu schools (ryu) may utilize all forms of grappling techniques to some degree (i.e. throwing, trapping, joint locks, holds, gouging, biting, disengagements, striking, and kicking). In addition to jujutsu, many schools teach the use of weapons.
Judo was developed by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century from several traditional styles of jujutsu, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu was derived from earlier (pre–World War II) versions of Kodokan judo.
The major traditonal style that most influences Ryuu Shin today is Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu, whose originator was Sokaku Takeda.
Founding Masters & Styles that have influenced Ryuu Shin Goshin Jujutsu
Sokaku Takeda
Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu
The most famous modern-day master of Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu. His most famous student was Morihei Ueshiba.
Morihei Ueshiba
Aikido
The founder of Aikido. Over a long period of time, he took the more aggressive parts of Aiki Jujutsu out and constructed a gentler, very flowing, yet still very efffective, martial art.
Kodo Horikowa
Kodokai
One of Takeda’s main students, he founded his own school called Kodokai.
Seigo Okomoto
Ropokkai
One of the most important students of Horikowa and head of Roppokai. Some Ryuu Shin students study his teachings via his personal student, Howard Popkin, at Ginjukai, in New York.
Takuma Hisa
Takumakai
A key student of both Takeda & Ueshiba. His style, Takumakai, can be easily differentiated by its focus on very complex “pins”.
Yukiyoshi Sagawa
Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu
Sagawa was originally considered to be the successor to Takeda Sokaku. One of the most accomplished students of Sokaku, he often served as a teaching assistant to Takeda.
Gozo Shioda
Yoshinkan Aikido
One of Ueshiba’s most senior students, who founded the Yoshinkan style of aikido. The japanese Riot Police all have to undergo the brutal one-year “sensushi” Yoshinkan course to qualify.
Jigaro Kano
Judo
Kano was a Japanese educator and athlete, and founder of Judo, a sport, not a martial art. He also introduced the Dan Ranking system of white to black belts.