Jujutsu (also incorrectly called jiu jitsu) is a Japanese fighting art based on a system of striking, locking and throwing techniques. Jujutsu schools teach defenses against both armed and unarmed assailants with an emphasis on the use of the opponents own body weight and momentum.

Jujutsu has existed in Japan in some form for at least 2000 years. The more modern beginnings of jujutsu began during the 8th and 16th centuries when Japan was in a constant state of war. During this period both weapon and weaponless fighting arts evolved and jujutsu became the close-fighting system used by the samurai against armoured opponents.

During the peaceful Edo period (1603-1868) there was a shift to weaponless fighting styles and many different systems of jujutsu flourished. After the Meiji restoration in 1868, old-style fighting arts were banned by the Emperor. Practice of the art went underground, and many practitioners emigrated, allowing the art to continue. It wasn't until the mid-twentieth century that the ban was lifted.

Books about Jujutsu