Ju-Jitsu – the Gentle Art dates back to 17th century feudal Japan – Edo period (1603 –1867) & has roots even earlier in the Sengoku period (1467–1603) & even earlier with the Muromachi period (1333–1573). The Art of Sumo (23 BC) was one of Ju-Jitsu’s early predecessors, although instead of remaining a sport, it was instead taught to be used for war.
The earliest known Ju-Jitsu styles are;
Shinden Fudo-ryū – 1130,
Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū – 1447
& Takenouchi-ryū – 1532 (established by Hisamori Tenenuchi & the first Japanese Jiu-jitsu school).

Originally in the 17th century Jujitsu was used a name given to all combat & grappling-related arts.
Originally some of these disciplines where known as; Taijutsu (Body Art), Kogusoku (Short Sword Grappling), Wajutsu (Art of Harmony), Koshi No Mawari (Grappling Art) & jūdō (Way of Softness) before they where integrated into Jujitsu.

It was developed for the Japanese battlefield, to learn & protect against close combat, unarmed & weapons. Not much groundwork was taught, because the aim was for the opponent to be the only one to fall to the ground. Jiu-jitsu’s aim is to use the opponent’s force against them, ensuring its success in combat, given the Samurai’s armour, throws, kicks, sweeps, grappling, blocks & parry’s, sacrifice throws & joint locks were utilised. Although not all Samurai wore armour, as the Ronin notably only used the kimono & Hakama, this is where Nihon koryū jūjutsu was applied. This style came from the Muromachi period & was used to fight an armed (& armoured) opponent whilst oneself having little to no weapons.

With it being predominantly the Samurai’s art, some of the weapons that were practiced where; The Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto, Sai, Jutte, Nodachi, Nagamaki, Naginata, Yari, Rope, Yumi (Bow) & Kusarigama (Kama with weight & chain).
During the Sengoku period, more disguised weapons were utilised, like the weighted chain (Kusari) & helmet breakers (Kabutowari) to help give an edge over the opponent. Although the Kabutowari could not actually split helmets in half, only damage them.

Sengoku Japan also introduced matchlock guns for use by capable warriors (Lords & Daimyo), except they were cumbersome to use.
Shields were also not used by the Samurai, this was because the Katana acted as both the sword & shield in combat.

Ju-Jitsu was not just Practiced by the Samurai, it was also learned by the Japanese civilians, farmers, Ronin & Monks to protect themselves from thieves & Bandits, this is where farming tools came into it like the Rice Flail (Nunchaku), Kama, Jo & the Bo.

Not all of the weapons mentioned above stayed with Jiu-jitsu, some of them became their own arts like the Bow (Yumi), or was kept a part of Kobudo & Karate.

The Sai & Jutte was used by Samurai, or the law enforcement, to counter the Katana, Wakizashi or the Tanto, as these were always carried by the Samurai (daisho – Samurai carrying two or more swords I.e. Katana & Wakizashi/ & or Tanto).

The Bo & Jo where staffs used predominantly by warrior Monks and farmers to protect their land.

The Naginata was not just used by Samurai to fight enemies on horseback. It was also used by warrior Monks to protect temples & places of worship. The Lady’s also used it to protect the households during wars & conflict, or while the Lords where away.

The Rope (Hojojutsu or Hojo Waza) was used by the Samurai & law enforcement to take prisoners, different levels of class used different tying methods, as the fancier it was, the higher up the Samurai was. Hojojutsu is still used by Japanese law enforcement today.

Jiu-jitsu constantly evolved, it was not only used for war, it was also taught as a Martial Art in the 17th century. This was due to the Shogun (Tokugawa Shogunate) putting in place strict laws, in the hopes of reducing wars.
This was influenced by China & its social philosophy of Neo-Confucianism.
Fujiwara Seika, a Japanese scholar that helped to spread this philosophy throughout Japan after Hideyoshi’s invasion of Korea.

Because of this, the weapons & armour once used by the Samurai became pieces of decoration. This meant Jiu-jitsu became a free-hand martial art, because of this, new striking techniques were introduced, a part that was lacking prior, due to the Samurai’s Armour.

Only vital strikes mattered such as the eyes & throat. From the 18th century onwards the strikes became a distraction used to throw the opponent off balance then finish with throw &, or joint lock.

Thanks to more peaceful times, Jiu-jitsu flourished as a Martial Art & began being used to compete. This is where Randori came from & in turn the roots of Judo began to form.
Some Jiu-jitsu styles today still perform in competitions, such as Kata (Free-hand & Weapons), Randori, points sparring & Uki/throwing competitions.

In truth, Ju-jitsu is one of the most important martial arts, given that most arts derive their roots from it. It is also arguably one of the only self-defense based martial arts that still holds up today, given its constant approach to modernise, whilst staying true to its own roots.
Many other martial arts styles came from Jiu-jitsu, such as Aikido, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Krav-Maga & Bartitsu. These aren’t the only martial arts developed from Jujitsu, even some Korean arts have roots in Jujitsu, such as Hapkido.

Judo came from Jujitsu, in 1882 (founded by Kanō Jigorō), it dropped the self-defensive side & only focused on the throws & groundwork for competitions (Randori), as it became a sport.
In turn Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) came from Judo, with the Gracies only taking the groundwork, “Jiu-jitsu” name & minor throws, again for sport. It was Carlos, Gastão Jr, Oswaldo, George & Hélio Gracie that founded BJJ in 1926. They combined Judo & Jiu-jitsu, they learned Jiu-jitsu under Mitsuyo Maeda (he learned from one of Tanabe’s students, Taro Miyake).

Aikido was developed by Morihei Ueshiba from Jiu-jitsu, in the 1920’s. Using the circular motions of the locks & throws & focusing on flashy displays over self defence.
Some of these techniques can still be seen in Jujitsu today, like wrist throws.

Hapkido came predominantly from Aikido in the 1970’s, except it brought the self-defence aspect from Jujitsu back, giving it blocks, Strikes, locks & throws. As most Hapkido locks & throws are variations of Jujitsu techniques.

from the 1900s Jiu-jitsu became westernised.
The spelling changed from Jiu-jitsu to Jujitsu & a coloured belt system was introduced.
Professor Kiyose Nakae brought Jiu-jitsu to the Western world, he is regarded as one of the foremost authentic Jiu-jitsu instructors.
He taught Jiu-jitsu to the American Police & set up his Dojo in New York.
The first female Jujitsu instructor & one of the first female martial arts instructor’s in the Western world, was during this period, her name was Edith Garrud.

Many believe Edward William Barton-Wright (the founder of Bartitsu), a railway engineer, to be the one who introduced Jujitsu to Britain in 1899, with the style he learnt (Tenjin Shin’yo Ryu Ju Jitsu) under his masters Yukio Tani & Sadakazu Uyenishi. Under Edward, it was given the name “The Gentleman’s Art” (Bartitsu) & he introduced the use of the Cane.

In fact it is believed that Takashima Shidachi was the one who introduced Jujitsu to Britain in April 1892, he was secretary for the London Branch of the Bank of Japan, his style of Jujitsu was Yoshin Ryu. This style of Jujitsu (Yoshin Ryu) is still taught in Britain to this day.

It didn’t get popular until William Bankier (a Scottish strongman) who learnt under Yukio Tani and Sadakazu Uyenishi, once he introduced it as a circus style act in music halls in 1903, people who challenged him on-stage was offered £1.00/minute that they could last (up to 5 minutes). Sadakazu Uyenishi eventually opened Britain’s first Japanese Jujitsu school in 1905 (in Piccadilly Circus, London).

Henry S Okazaki is another very important figure in Jujitsu’s history, as he was the man who broke tradition & taught Jujitsu to a westerner in the late 1920’s. This was not a common practice, as it was only ever taught to Japanese people, bar a select few. Henry
Okazaki believed that martial arts should be taught universally & that it should not discriminate (against race, religion, gender, disability & age).
He believed that it should belong to those who need it, for this he was ostracised, eventually others followed his path.

Okazaki named his school ‘Danzan Ryu’, as a thank you to his Sifu ‘Wo Chong’, as he previously had taught Okazaki Kung Fu.
Wo Chong also broke tradition teaching a Japanese man a Chinese art.
Henry Okazaki could also be seen as one of the fathers of mixed martial arts, he studied Yoshin Ryu, Twaga & Kosagabe Jujitsu, Judo, Kung Fu, Okinawan Karate, Boxing, Filipino knife fighting, wrestling, Lua (an Hawaiian self-defence based martial art) & even the art of throwing Spanish dirks. He realised that the way to strengthen & upgrade his Jujitsu was by incorporating techniques from other martial arts that he studied.
He founded his own Jujitsu system: Kodenkan Jujitsu.

Looking at modern jujutsu, known as Gendai Jujitsu (Tokugawa period onwards – 1868).
There have been many influential Jujitsu instructors. Especially during the 20th century. Professor Bob Clarke is the most well-known & influential figure in Jujitsu.
In truth there are a plethora of Jujitsu instructors that are (& have been) influential to their students & even their communities, these instructors may not be famous, or well known in the wider martial arts community, but they have left a lasting impact on many martial artists.

In 1976 our Late-Soke Bob Clarke founded the World Jujitsu Federation (WJJF), he made many books, VHS tapes & DVD’S to further help his students improve in the art. These are still used today by practitioners such as myself & they will be used for years to come.

Soke Bob Clarke also infused other styles into modern Jujitsu, to further improve the techniques in certain ways. This is due to studying multiple different martial art systems, as this can be seen in certain Kata’s, such as WJJF Sandan Form, Praying Mantis & Multi-hand Kata.

Modern day Police & Military all use styles of Gendai Jujutsu, given most modern combat styles all base themselves off of Jujitsu principles.
There are actual Jujitsu styles used for this purpose, like Keisatsujutsu the most famous martial art used by Police Force worldwide & Taiho Jutsu (a Japanese arresting art, like Hojojutsu). Krav Maga is based on modern Jujitsu & is a combat system used by the Israeli Military.