Ju Jitsu, loosely translated, means “The Gentle Art,” or “way of yielding”. It is designed as a form of self-defence that doesn’t rely on strength. It was devised during the Samurai era in Japan and is therefore one of the oldest forms of martial arts in the world, and the forerunner to other arts such as Judo and Aikido. As the translation, “way of yielding” would indicate, it relies on technique and not strength, and is an ideal form of self-defence for people of either sex, any build or age group.
Who are London Ju Jitsu?
London Ju Jitsu are part of the Fighting Arts Organisation of Great Britain, one of the largest martial arts organisations in the U.K. At London Ju Jitsu, we endeavour to run our classes in a safe and disciplined, but also friendly way. There are two senior instructors, Sensei Chris Lacy and Sensei Salur Onural as well as a number of black belts at the club.
The History of JuJitsu
Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu, the “School of the Willow Heart” or “School of the Willow Spirit,” presumably founded by Akiyama Shirobei Yoshitoki, a physician from Nagasaki, is one of the Edo-period jujitsu schools that is best known here in the West. This style or ryu dates back to sometime before 1671. Yoshitoki felt that the jujitsu techniques he had learned were not sufficient in number, so he retreated to Tenmangu Shrine, where he devoted himself to meditation for one hundred days, during which time he developed 303 techniques of his own. One snowy day when Akiyama Yoshitoki was still on retreat in Tenmangu Shrine, he happened to notice a willow tree on the shrine grounds. Despite the recent heavy snows, this willow, unlike some of the other trees on the grounds, did not have even a single branch broken. The willow branches simply yielded and allowed the snow to fall off; then the branches sprung back with great force, thereby saving the tree. This yielding principle was not only understood to be an essential element of the warrior arts of ancient Japan, but have been perfected through their test of time to the present.
Classical Fighting Arts of Japan, A Complete Guide to Koryu Jujutsu
Articles and Press
Below are links to a number of articles and press releases relating to London Ju Jitsu. We welcome input from our club members, so if you have any articles or information that relates to our club, Ju Jitsu or martial arts in general, please contact Chris, Ian or Dan with the relevant information.
Men’s Fitness recently interviewed Chris regarding London Ju Jitsu and ju jitsu in general.
Is Ju jitsu suitable for women?
A article on Women in Ju jitsu has been added by Mel Letham.