1.
jujutsu; jiu-jitsu; traditional Japanese grappling art
A traditional Japanese martial art focused on throws, joint locks, pins, and other grappling techniques rather than strikes. The parent art of judo and a major influence on modern Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Literally '柔 (soft, flexible) + 術 (art, technique)' — the art of flexibility or yielding. The principle is to use an opponent's force against them rather than relying on one's own strength.
Common collocations
- 柔術の技: jujutsu technique
- ブラジリアン柔術: Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ)
- 古流柔術: classical/traditional jujutsu
- 柔術道場: jujutsu training hall
Etymology
Jujutsu developed during the feudal era as a method of unarmed combat for samurai. 嘉納治五郎 reformed traditional 柔術 techniques into 柔道 in the 1880s. In the early 20th century, Japanese immigrants brought 柔術 to Brazil, where it evolved into ブラジリアン柔術.