Rickygo4th

Taekwondo Vs. Jujitsu

Although taekwondo (aslo: Tae Kwon Do, or Tae Kwon-Do), is a great "Sport" most techniques are way too vast in the number of attacks in one move. Jujitsu (aslo: Jiu Jitsu, Ju-Jitsu, and Jujutsu) on the otherhand has a formal workout and wide veriety of self-defence "on the ground", and "on the feet" self-defence. Unlike taekwondo, which works on mostly, if not only, on the feet. Which can mean DANGER. Anyways, 95% of all fights end up on the ground!

Meanings

Jujitsu- Using the opponent's body and weight at your advantage.

Tae Kwon Do- Using the fist and foot to the vital points of the body.

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Jujitsu is often called the "gentle way" or "art", as taekwondo is "way of the fist and the foot". That pretty much explanes itself. Taekwondo trains on forcing punching and kicking. Jujitsu is much more, in jujitsu they are taught to, with ease, remove the threat without causing a serious conflict.

Experience

In my experience in Jujitsu, no offence to taekwondo, jujitsu is much more gentle than teakwondo. Most taekwon do fighters are more violent and love to hurt people in a fight. More or less Jujitsu wins by a long-shot in this battle!

Origins

Jujitsu: Japanese: Originally the Samurai's empty hand combat method. Later after guns were used in combat and sword carry was outlawed and Samurai techniques were considered "gangster tactics". 1800's Dr. Kano used the throws and grappling from Jujitsu to create Judo, a sport helped to create acceptance of the art again. Now, it is popularized through extreme matches as a brutal effective combat art. Jujitsu has not been recognized as an International Sport, yet. Judo, derived from Jujitsu, is an International Sport and is also an Olympic event.

Tae Kwon Do: Korean: Originally the peasants designed a kicking art to dismount horseman warriors. Later it was considered gang oriented when street thugs designed a game to test their kicking powers. They would stand in a circle, trying to kick the adversary out of bounds. Now, embraced by the Korean Government as one of their original sports and World wide participants number higher then any other martial art. It is recognized as a International Sport and is an Olympic competition event.

Information for origins are from: Master Jeffery Moore, of the American Federation of Jujitsu.

The Beginning of Jujitsu

Fighting forms have existed in Japan for centuries. The first references to such unarmed combat arts or systems can be found in the earliest purported historical records of Japan, theKojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), which relate the mythological creation of the country and the establishment of the Imperial family. Other glimpses can be found in the older records and pictures depicting sumai (or sumo ) no sechie, a rite of the Imperial Court in Nara and Kyoto performed for purposes of divination and to help ensure a bountiful harvest.

There is a famous story of a warrior Nomi no Sekuni of Izumo who defeated and killed Tajima no Kehaya in Shimane prefecture while in the presence of Emperor Suinin. Descriptions of the techniques used during this encounter included striking, throwing, restraining and weaponry. These systems of unarmed combat began to be known as Nihon koryu jujutsu (japanese old-style jujutsu), among other related terms, during the Muromachi period (1333-1573), according to densho (transmission scrolls) of the various ryuha (martial traditions) and historical records.

Most of these were battlefield-based systems to be practiced as companion arts to the more common and vital weapon systems. These fighting arts actually used many different names. Kogusoku, yawara, kumiuchi, and hakuda are just a few, but all of these systems fall under the general description of Sengoku jujutsu. In reality, these grappling systems were not really unarmed systems of combat, but are more accurately described as means whereby an unarmed or lightly armed warrior could defeat a heavily armed and armored enemy on the battlefield.

Methods of combat (as just mentioned above) included striking (kicking, punching), throwing (body throws, joint-lock throws, unbalance throws), restraining (pinning, strangulating, grappling, wrestling) and weaponry. Defensive tactics included blocking, evading, off balancing, blending and escaping. Minor weapons such as the tanto (dagger), ryufundo kusari (weighted chain), jitte (helmet smasher), and kakushi buki (secret or disguised weapons) were almost always included in Sengoku jujutsu.

In later times, other koryu developed into systems more familiar to the practitioners of Nihon jujutsu commonly seen today. These are correctly classified as Edo jujutsu (founded during the edo period): systems generally designed to deal with opponents neither wearing armor nor in a battlefield environment. For this reason, most systems of Edo jujutsu include extensive use of atemi waza (vital-striking technique). These tactics would obviously be of little use against an armored opponent on a battlefield. They would, however, be quite valuable to anyone confronting an enemy or opponent during peacetime dressed in normal street attire. Occasionally, inconspicuous weapons such as tanto (daggers) or tessen (iron fans) were included in the curriculum of Edo jujutsu.

Another seldom seen but interesting historical aside is a series of techniques originally included in both Sengoku and Edo jujutsu systems. Referred to as hojo waza (捕縄術 hojojutsu, nawa jutsu and others), it involves the use of a hojo cord, (sometimes the sageo or tasuke) to restrain or strangle an attacker. These techniques have for the most part faded from use in modern times, but Tokyo police units still train in their use today and continue to carry ahojo cord in addition to handcuffs. The very old Takenouchi Ryu is one of the better-recognized systems that continue extensive training in hojo waza.

Many other legitimate Nihon jujutsu ryu exist but are not considered koryu (ancient traditions). These are called either Gendai jujutsu or modern jujutsu. Modern jujutsu traditions are founded after or towards the end of the Tokugawa period (1603-1868). Various traditional ryu and ryuha that are commonly thought of as koryu jujutsu are actually gendai jujutsu. These include Hakko Ryu, Kaze Arashi Ryu, Daito Ryu, and many others. Although modern in formation, gendai jujutsu systems have direct historical links to ancient traditions and are correctly referred to as traditional martial systems or ryu. Their curriculum reflects an obvious bias towards Edo jujutsu systems as opposed to the Sengoku jujutsu systems. The improbability of confronting an armor-clad attacker is the obvious reason for this bias.

Over time, Gendai jujutsu has been embraced by law enforcement officials worldwide and continues to be the foundation for many specialized systems used by police. Perhaps the most famous of these specialized police systems is the Keisatsujutsu (police art) Taiho jutsu (arresting art) system formulated and employed by the Tokyo Police Department.

If a Japanese based martial system is formulated in modern times (post Tokugawa) but is only partially influenced by traditional Nihon jujutsu, it may be correctly referred to as goshin (self defense) jujutsu. Goshin jujutsu is usually formulated outside Japan and may include influences from other martial traditions. The popular Gracie jujutsu system, and all Brazilian jujutsu in general, although derived originally from Judo have evolved independently for many years, and could be considered examples of Goshin Jujutsu.

History of Taekwondo

In the early 1900s, during Japanese occupation of Korea, many Koreans were exposed to Japanese versions of Chinese martial arts, which lead to learning and practicingkarate. Some of these Koreans included Lee-Won Kuk , Choi Hong-Hi, Chun Sang-Sup, Yoon Byung-In, and others. As the Japanese moved deeper into the continent karate was mixing with Korean martial arts and Chinese martial arts, similarly Korea also came to learn the Japanese versions. Various schools developed, including Chung Do Kwan headed by Lee, Yun Moo Kwan headed by Chun, Chang Moo Kwan headed by Yoon, and the military Oh Do Kwan headed by Choi. Another school, the Moo Duk Kwan, was headed by Hwang Ki, who learned in Manchuria.

In 1955, these arts, at that time called "Tang-Soo-Do" or "Kong-Soo-Do" were combined into a new art and renamed Taekwondo. Eventually, Taekwondo incorporated more native Korean martial art styles in to the art, especially kicking techniques, replacing the old karate forms, adding the old difficult kicks from taekyon in a modified noncircular style, and changing the rules.

Although some Taekwondo books state that Taekwondo has been practiced since ancient times, this is due to the fact that some Korean writers use the word "Taekwondo" to refer to Korean martial arts as a whole. Taekkyon, an old Korean art that is often quoted as a strong influence (or origin) for Taekwondo looks quite different, its movements sharing a strong similarity with Chinese martial arts, and also including a strong dance element.

Choi Hong-Hi headed the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), but when he visited North Korea to spread Taekwondo as well as moving the headquarters to Canada, South Korea created a new, competing organization, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), originally headed by Kim Un-Yong. Today, the WTF is more commonly seen and accepted, also being the style used in the Olympic Games. The ITF style of Taekwondo is practised in more countries, however.

In 2000, Taekwondo was added as an official event in the Olympics; it had already been added to the World games in 1981, and the Pan-American games in 1986. (Most information from Dictionary.com)

For more information e-mail me at: chubun_na_jujitsu_ricky@yahoo.com

By: Ricky Gofourth of Chubun-Na Jujitsu