Martial Arts: Jujutsu

The J-Word

Jujutsu is the name of a traditional Japanese martial art. It has seen several different transliterations over the centuries, but we favor "jujutsu" in Martial Arts. Many fighting styles – some only loosely connected Jujutsu (see below) – use variant spellings: jujitsu, jiu-jutsu, jiu-jitsu, and others. Whichever spelling one prefers in the Roman alphabet, all of these terms originate from the same kanji, or Chinese characters, in Japanese. Some specific usages:

Jiu-jitsu: Used by the Gracie and Machado families for their Brazilian Jiu-jitsu styles, as well as by many American schools.

Jiu-jutsu: A transliteration found in older sources but uncommon today.

Jujutsu: The most common modern transliteration, used for the traditional art.

3 points

Jujutsu originally referred to the unarmed fighting arts of Japan – and certain armed ones, too. Today, the term is commonly associated with locks, holds, and throws. Like "karate” and "kung fu," "jujutsu" is a broad label. It describes a variety of styles: ground-fighting schools that finish foes with chokes, stand-up throwing-and-locking styles, and striking arts indistinguishable from Karate.

"Jujutsu" no longer describes strictly Japanese styles, either. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, for instance, originated in South America after an expatriate Japanese instructor introduced Judo (see left) and Jujutsu (see below) there. Several variants have been developed in the U.S., too. Below are two representative styles. See Aikijutsu and Aikido for some noteworthy forms of "jujutsu" that differ enough to merit separate treatment.

The style described below is a purely unarmed art; bushi would study it as part of a larger ryu (see Ryu). Historical Jujutsu forms ranged from arts that focused on grapples and throws to "hard" styles that differed little from karate. This version is a mixed style that uses grappling and striking equally.

Jujutsu is a very direct martial art. The fighter uses strikes to injure and weaken the enemy, followed by locks and throws to disable him or render him helpless. Kicks tend to be low-line. Other strikes target the vitals, neck, groin, and especially the face (a man in armor is usually least-armored there). Stylists train extensively at armored grappling techniques, known as kumi uchi. Locks, pins, and throws are much more effective than unarmed blows against an armor-clad adversary!

Cinematic jujutsuka (Jujutsu fighters) use their knowledge of pressure points and vital areas to overcome their foes. They're forceful and direct, using kiais and lethal attacks to stun and then slay opponents.

Jujutsu styles often vary from the components listed below. Individual schools may add or subtract techniques. Today, Jujutsu usually omits weapons entirely, rarely if ever teaches tactics for use in armor, and emphasizes grappling over striking. Strikes are still a core tactic, but stylists use them more to supplement or set up grapples than as primary attacks. Some modern schools still utilize weapons in training, but mainly to teach how to defend against weapons, not how to use them.

Skills: Judo; Karate.
Techniques: Arm Lock; Back Kick; Disarming (Judo); Low Fighting (Judo or Wrestling); Targeted Attack (Karate Kick/Leg); Targeted Attack (Karate Punch/Face); Targeted Attack (Karate Punch/Neck).
Cinematic Skills: Immovable Stance; Kiai; Mental Strength; Pressure Points; Pressure Secrets.
Cinematic Techniques: Hand-Clap Parry; Lethal Strike; Pressure-Point Strike.
Perks: Armor Familiarity; Power Grappling; Sure-Footed (Uneven).

Optional Traits
Secondary Characteristics: Combat Reflexes; Forceful Chi.
Disadvantages: Duty.
Skills: Ground Fighting (Judo or Karate).