Caldwell's Shin Ryu Kan Jujutsu Profile

Jujutsu is a method of combat with or without weapons which exponents utilize the atemi (striking through punching, kicking, and blocking), nage (sweeping, takedowns, and throwing) and katame (grappling through hold downs, chokes and joint locks).

The term Jujutsu was coined during the Tokugawa era (1615-1867) of Japanese history corresponding with the earliest part of the Ming Dynasty of China (1386-1644). Jujutsu translates into the art of pliability. The “ju” character literally translates as soft, tender, mild or mellow. Some people mistakenly translate this to mean gentle. In reality the ju character takes on more of an abstract meaning and is more apropros to the heart of pliability, flexibility, or to give way. There is really nothing gentle about Jujutsu at all. There is a strong indication that the basis for Jujutsu came from a Chinese system of Ch’in-na and probably went to Japan as an adjunct of Shuai-chia (wrestling).

Jujutsu is very similar to Karate-do and may be its first cousin. The primary difference is where the emphasis of training is and the fact that Jujutsu puts less emphasis on aesthetics. Jujutsu puts more emphasis on sweeps, takedowns, throws, and grappling. Where as, karate, while including sweeps, takedowns, throws, and some grappling, puts more emphasis on punches, kicks and blocks.