Jiu-Jutsu (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1918. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION A short history of JIU-JUTSU and the origin of Kodokwan, the largest school in Japan, with its principles. THE STORY OF THE ORIGIN OF JIU-JUTSU The origin of Jiu-Jutsu, in Japan, is traced back to the earliest periods of antiquity. It is said in the legendary "History of Japan" that the gods Kajima and Kadori availed themselves of the art for the purpose of chastising the lawless inhabitants of the eastern provinces, but until the time of about the twelfth century no special school had developed. Later, the Samurai rank arose (Samurai, who were greatly like the Knights of feudal Europe, and who were the fighting men of the provinces of the Empire). The various methods employed by this rank in defeating physically superior antagonists were carefully elaborated until eventually many distinct schools came into existence. But, of course, there were some methods also adopted from China which are not generally credited with art of this kind as practiced in China, (about the Ming dynasty), and which included kicking and thrusting. As such, it gradually developed with the lapse of time and gave rise to various schools, under different methods, which also included some new combinations of movements which were slightly different applications of identical principles. These were named jiu-jitsu, taijitsu, yawara, torite, judo, etc., which gave lessons here and there. The art of fighting without weapons thus grew, developed by degrees, and became prevalent all over the Empire. Meanwhile some perceived the secrets of these arts and established their own schools, many pupils therefore receiving wrong impressions of this art. Such being the case, the arts under the same name were not always the same; on the other hand, the same art was taught under diffe...