What style do you teach at Tri-Star Martial Arts Academy? There are four arts we use to create a well-rounded program for our students here at Tri-Star Martial Arts Academy. The third is Jiu Jitsu.
Jiu Jitsu, a martial art known for its focus on technique and leverage, has its roots deeply embedded in Japanese history. Evolving from traditional Japanese martial arts, Jiu Jitsu, also spelled as Jujutsu or Jiujitsu, has become a global phenomenon that emphasizes the art of controlled grappling and submission.
Originating in feudal Japan as a method of self-defense for warriors, Jiu Jitsu was designed to allow smaller individuals to overcome larger opponents using strategic techniques. It involves using an opponent’s force against them, employing joint locks, throws, and pins to neutralize threats.
Guiding principles in Jiu Jitsu are rooted in efficiency, adaptability, and mutual respect. “Ju” translates to “gentle” or “yielding,” representing the art’s emphasis on yielding to an opponent’s force to gain advantage. “Seiryoku Zenyo” and “Jita Kyoei” promote maximum efficiency for minimum effort and mutual benefit and welfare, respectively.
Jiu Jitsu’s practices encompass both “Nage-waza” (throwing techniques) and “Ne-waza” (ground techniques). Throws involve destabilizing opponents through leverage, while ground techniques focus on immobilization, joint locks, and strangles to control or submit adversaries.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), an offshoot of Jiu Jitsu, further popularized the art by emphasizing ground-based techniques and submissions. BJJ’s competitive scene gained attention, showcasing the effectiveness of technique and leverage over brute force.
Today, Jiu Jitsu is practiced globally, both as a sport and for self-defense. It’s a fundamental skill for mixed martial artists, law enforcement, and military personnel due to its practical applicability in close-quarters combat.
In essence, Jiu Jitsu epitomizes the art of using intelligence and technique to triumph over physical strength. Its history traces back to a time of samurai and warriors, while its guiding principles of efficiency, adaptability, and respect continue to shape its practitioners’ approach to combat. Whether on the mats of a dojo or in real-world scenarios, Jiu Jitsu’s focus on technique and leverage remains a testament to the effectiveness of strategic mastery in martial arts.
If you missed the first two arts that make up Tri-Star Martial Arts Academy you can click them below.