What is jujitsu?
an introduction to the japanese martial art of jujitsu
Jujitsu (or ju-jitsu, ju-jutsu) is primarily an unarmed self-defence combat system. Weapons do feature in general jujitsu training but they don't have to and while it can be said some styles may train exclusively with weapons most styles use them selectively.
Unlike many of the stand-up kicking and punching martial art styles jujitsu employs a vast array of combat skills from thorwing, to locking, strangles, chokes, escapes, ground grappling as well as punches and kicks. There are many jujitsu schools thoughout the UK and many styles. Some use a soft very little physical contact whereas others employ physical elements which to the novice can appear quite brutal in their execution.
Jujitsu was on of the first japanese martial arts practised in Britain, arriving here in the 19th century as a musical hall trial of strengh and skill contest. William Barton-Wright having a studied jujitsu in Japan thought it would create an interesting form of stage entertainment and provide a unique marketing strategy for advertising his own jujitsu influenced brand of self-defence called Bartitsu.
what we teach
Not tied down by historic interpretation the jujitsu we employ can be classed as remaining basically faithfull to the original concepts but enhanced by modern self-defence applications and skills absorbed from other martial arts that seem apropriate to the overall learning experience.
That said, children's sessions also include games of skill, rough and tumble and just plain good old fun. And, for those interested, we also teach competition skills in back2back ground wrestling and stand up sparring for those eager to compete at local and national level.