Pendle Martial Arts offers quality instruction in many Martial Arts, however we specialise in Ju Jitsu, both  Traditional, Self Defence (or Combat) Ju Jitsu, and Brazilian Jiu jitsu (Gracie Barra – under World Champion Lucio Rodrigues).

 

What is Traditional Jujitsu? And what is the difference between Jujutsu, Ju-Jitsu, and Jiu-Jitsu?

The Spelling of Jujutsu

Let me answer the second question first. The term JuJitsu, is a romanization of the Japanese term meaning Science of Yielding/Gentleness. As the Japanese use two alphabets, made of two different sets of symbols (Kanji and Katakana), the romanized version of the word (using the alphabet we use in the western world) cannot completely reflect how to spell the word. There is agreement that the first syllable is "Ju", pronounced "Joo", or "Jyoo" depending on where in Japan you come from. This is why in various parts of the world – the romanized spelling is either "Ju" or "Jiu". The second set of syllables is pronounced either "joots" or "jits" in some areas of Japan – or – "joots" with a barely audible "uh" sound at the end in other areas. Thus the spelling "jutsu" or "jitsu". That last "u" reflects that gutteral "uh" at the end of the word.

Those who attempt to correct another in the spelling of the term in the western alphabet do so incorrectly. There is no correct spelling in our alphabet. We must all simply accept the fact that the Japanese sounds are best reflected in the alphabet created to reflect those sounds. So JuJutsu, Ju-Jitsu, Jiu-Jitsu, are all the same.

What does Traditional Mean?

Onto a more difficult subject – what is Traditional Jujutsu? Most people in the west are referring to Koryu when they talk of Traditional Jujutsu. Koryu being the ancient schools of Japan. At one time there were over 600 ryuha in Japan. Today there are perhaps a dozen of the truly ancient schools. Ryu, by the way, literally means "stream", but figuratively means "stream of knowledge", or as we say – a "system" or "style". There are today some semi-modern Ryu (those developed in the early 20^th century) that very well represent the traditional roots from which they sprang.

Within the last decade or so, with the advent of modern Jujutsu styles such as Shooto, Pancrase, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts – the term Traditional Jujutsu has come to mean, schools that practice their art without competition being a goal, and while still retaining the traditional Japanese etiquette and hierarchy. Modern schools make a point that in competition, martial artist to martial artist – the etiquette and ancient training methods do not make a difference as to the outcome of the match. For the most part – this is absolutely true. In the realm of the entirely physical, technical ability, strength, agility, flexibility, toughness and youth will often times "win the day". However, I emphasize in the realm of physical competition between martial artists. For those of us who are looking for something more than just physical prowess, the long tested methods of the traditional schools hold importance, as a self defence system for the modern world.