History of Ju Jitsu

The history of Japan and the doctrine of the martial arts in particular don't give a definite or precise answer to this question. The Japanese national records and the many manuscripts from various schools of martial arts refer to ancient methods of combat codified long before actual records were kept. The first records are said to have been introduced sometime in the sixth century. Between the 8th and 11th century (Heian era) Japan had evolved it's political organisation, social and clan structures. Up until the 11th century Ju Jitsu was the popular system of combat for the aristocracy, the nobility and in 1156 the beginning of the feudal era saw Ju Jitsu being monopolised by the elite Bushi or samurai warriors as their training programmes. This was so until the late 19th century when the samurai class was dissolved.
During the reign of Emperor Meiji Japan saw a period of restoration including the legalisation of Christianity, the dissolution of the Samurai class and the opening of trading links with the western world opposed to those held by the black ships. The dissolving of the Samurai class left the government with a huge problem. Thousands of highly trained soldiers, whose talents were now superfluous, twinned with the western demands for the Japanese race to become more tolerant and less barbaric in the eyes of the westerners. The solution took many years to come to. Essentially it involved the cultural development of everything Japanese, which of course included the martial arts whose schools by now were highly specialised. The government's ultimatum was resisted by many traditionalists who felt the only way for them was to leave the country, become exiles, and remain true to their individual values. This is how in fact martial arts methods arrived in the west.

Many masters became seamen to escape Japan and taught their skills wherever their ship landed at port. For those who stayed and faced the Cultural Revolution, they endured the reshaping of martial systems, to that which we now know today. In 1905, the majority of diverse systems and main stream jujitsu schools had merged and synthesised together under the auspices of Professor Jigaro Kano to produce the method of combat then known as Juido later to be known as Kodokan Judo. Aikijujutsu schools and following the cultural wave became Aikido. Much later the striking arts shared the same fate at the hands of Gichin Funakoshi who did for the arts of striking what Kano and Uyeshiba had done for Judo and Aikido respectively. These forms are practiced worldwide today and have become almost household names.
What became of the old schools? Well the old schools still survive today but in a greatly diluted form. The format known as Jujutsu has shared many names over the years viz. Wa jutsu, Taijutsu, Yawara, Kogusoku, Chikara kurabe, Hakushi, Torite, etc. The schools of Aiki-jujutsu did not join Kano's synthesis of the 'jutsu' arts, preferring to remain independent. Morihei Uyeshiba was virtually the last representative of the ways to redirect their skills - sport was a popular choice, Sumo being particularly favoured among the biggest and strongest. Clearly the Meiji government applied all their energies and resources into the new Cultural Japan and tried to leave the shackles of the old Japan behind but this was not met without resistance. The birth of the new Martial Ways (Budo) systems had happened and was picking up impetus in various countries of the world through the now many foreign trading connections. Just as it seemed to be gaining popularity, along came the next problem - World War 1.

The Japanese government withdrew its entire people involved in teaching the martial ways from various corners of the globe, in an attempt to avoid a politically sensitive situation. Virtually all the Europeans adept in the old ways perished during the war and the returning injured remainder had somehow lost the direction to carry on. Then followed a difficult period of rebuilding the new Budo, only to find, 20 years later war destroying this development again. World War 2 was much more protracted than the proceeding war and saw the Japanese fight to the bitter end. However, once the war was over and government began allowing freer trade to industry and passage to their peoples, the development of Budo was back on track with the full support of the Japanese government. System such as Karate, Judo, Aikido and Kendo with the official backing of the Japanese government began to flourish both in Japan and abroad. USA, Hawaii, Germany, Austria, Holland, France, South Africa, Great Britain, Philippines and Spain all shared a resurgence of interest in the Japanese methods of combat. Many ex-servicemen returned to their home countries and started teaching a form of Judo, though many of the techniques were founded upon Jujutsu. But few had any real Knowledge of Jujutsu and even fewer were qualified to teach. Then there is the notion that generally people usually like to take the easy way out and in stark contrast to some of the old forms, Budo forms were considered by traditionalists to be the soft option. Certainly from the standpoint of marketing a combative form, the Japanese took this softer option in order to attain the acceptance of the western world.
After 50 years of development Budo systems of combat are extremely popular throughout the modern world and despite the technical differences, the old schools have too earned a degree of official acceptance in this modern world of contrasts. It is known as 'Kō Ryu' a label which translates to the old martial ways.

The Japanese national records and the many manuscripts from various schools of martial arts refer to ancient methods of combat codified long before actual records were kept. The first records are said to have been introduced sometime in the sixth century.
Between the 8th and 11th century (Heian era) Japan had evolved it's political organisation, social and clan structures.

Up until the 11th century Ju Jitsu was the popular system of combat for the aristocracy, the nobility and in 1156 the beginning of the feudal era saw Ju Jitsu being monopolised by the elite Bushi or samurai warriors as their training programmes. This was so until the late 19th century when the samurai class was dissolved.

During the reign of emperor Meiji was a period of restoration in Japan including the legalisation of Christianity, the dissolve of the samurai class and the opening of trading links with the western world opposed to those held by the black ships. The dissolving of the samurai class left the government with a huge problem.

Thousands of highly trained fighting men whose talents were now superfluous, twinned with the western demands for the Japanese race to become more tolerant and less barbaric in the eyes of the westerners.
The solution took many years to come to. Essentially it involved the cultural development of everything Japanese, which of course included the martial arts whose schools by now were highly specialised. The government's ultimatum was resisted by many traditionalists who felt the only way for them was to flee the country and become exiles, remaining true to their individual values. This is how in fact martial arts methods arrived in the west. Many of these masters became seamen to escape and taught their skills wherever their ship landed at port.
For those who stayed and faced the Cultural Revolution, they had to endure the reshaping of martial systems, which we now know today. In 1905, the majority of diverse systems and main stream jujitsu schools had merged and synthesised together under the auspices of professor Jigaro Kano to produce the method of combat then known as Jiu-do later to be known as Kodokan Judo.

Aikijujutsu schools and following the cultural wave his Schools later became Aikido. Much later the striking arts shared the same fate at the hands of Gichin Funakoshi who did for the arts of striking what Kano and Uyeshiba had done for Judo and Aikido respectively. These forms are practised worldwide today and have become almost household names. What became of the old schools; Well the old schools still survive today but in a greatly diluted form. The format known as Jujutsu has shared many names over the years viz. Wa jutsu, Taijutsu, Yawara, Kogusoku, Chikara kurabe, Hakushi, Torite, etc.

The schools of Aiki-jujutsu did not join Kano's synthesis of the 'jutsu' arts, preferring to remain independent. Morihei Uyeshiba was virtually the last representative of the ways to redirect their skills - sport was a popular choice, Sumo being particularly favoured among the biggest and strongest. Clearly the Meiji government applied all their energies and resources into the new Cultural Japan and tried to leave the shackles of the old Japan behind but this was not met without resistance.

The birth of the new Martial Ways (Budo) systems had happened and was picking up impetus in various countries of the world through the now many foreign trading connections. Just as it seemed to be gaining popularity, along came the next problem. World War 1.

The Japanese government withdrew its entire people involved in teaching the martial ways from various corners of the globe, in an attempt to avoid a politically sensitive situation. Virtually all the Europeans adept in the old ways perished during the war and the returning injured remainder had somehow lost the direction to carry on.

Then followed a difficult period of rebuilding the new budo, only to find, 20 years later war destroying this development. World War 2 was much more protracted than the proceeding war and saw the Japanese fight to the bitter end. However, once the war was over and government began allowing freer trade to industry and passage to their peoples, the development of Budo was back on track with the full support of the Japanese government.

Now, systems such as Karate, Judo, Aikido and Kendo with the official backing of the Japanese government began to flourish both in Japan and abroad. USA, Hawaii, Germany, Austria, Holland, France, South Africa, Great Britain, Philippines and Spain all shared a resurgence of interest in the Japanese methods of combat.

Many ex-servicemen returned to their home countries and started teaching a form of Judo, though many of the techniques were founded upon Jujutsu. But few had any real Knowledge of Jujutsu and even fewer were qualified to teach.

Then there is the notion that generally people usually like to take the easy way out and in stark contrast to some of the old forms, budo forms were considered by traditionalists to be the soft option. Certainly from the standpoint of marketing a combative form, the Japanese took this softer option in order to attain the acceptance of the western world.

After 50 years of development Budo systems of combat are extremely popular throughout the modern world and despite the technical differences, the old schools have too earned a degree of official acceptance in this modern world of contrasts. It is known as 'Kobudo' a label which translates to the old martial ways.

 
A United Kingdom Perspective

It appears from records, that Britain was the first nation to receive Japanese Jiu Jitsu instructors, but that these instructors did not come to the U.K. as Jiu Jitsu experts but as bankers, clerks, military men, students, etc.

The first to identify himself and declare his art was Takashima Shidachi (Yoshin Ryu) in April 1892 while working as the secretary to the London Branch of the Bank of Japan.

About 7 years or so later in 1899, a gentleman called W. E. Barton-Wright was due to return to the UK having been working in Yokohama for the last 9 years as an engineer. During this time he had studied Tenjin Shin’yo Ryu Jiu Jitsu with a master Yukio Tani and his brother. Just prior to his return Barton-Wright asked Tani to return with him to the U.K. and start an academy of Jiu Jitsu. The academy failed mainly because the British people had never heard of Jiu Jitsu let alone seen it.

Barton –Wright decided to tour the country showing the art of Jiu Jitsu and placed challenges to all comers to defeat the Japanese pair. During one of these circus type side shows staged at various music halls up an down the country, Yukio Tani met a Scotsman – William Bankier. Bankier was a ‘physical culturist’ and became rapidly interested in Jiu Jitsu and in 1903 persuaded Tani to leave the Barton-Wright relationship and work with him.

Bankier continued to tour with Tani much in the same way that Barton-Wright had and he introduced him to the some wrestling friends, in particular Percy Longhurst, W.H. Garrud, Bruce Sutherland and Percy Bickerdike.

The 4 set up the British Ju Jutsu Society (BJJS) and became a personal students of Tani. Sutherland introduced Jiu Jitsu to the Army, Boy Scout and Boys Brigade movements, and the Special Constabulary in Edinburgh, Scotland. Longhust introduce Jiu Jitsu to the Special Constabulary of the Metropolitan and various county Police Forces. Garrud promoted it among the wrestling fraternity. Between 1900 and 1910 Jiu Jitsu was booming……everybody wanted to learn. Articles in the ‘Health & Strength’ magazine founded by Bankier were used to boost Ju Jitsu. There were now a number of eminent Japanese masters – Uyenishi, Koizumi, Ohno, Miyake - in the U.K. some teaching the old schools of Jiu Jitsu and some the new synthesised style of Jiu-Do (which we now know as Judo).

The years of the first World War were a difficult time and much of the great impetus for Jiu Jitsu died. After the War a British Diplomatic figure, E. J. Harrison and W. E. Steers returned from Japan the first of the westerners to be graded shodan in Kodokan Judo. They both consistently campaigned for Kodokan Judo and Harrison gave the impression that Judo was just another term for Jiu Jitsu.

1920 Jigaro Kano came to London as a member of the International Olympic Committee and aligned himself to support the Budokwai – the club was opened by Koizumi in 1918 with Tani the Chief instructor. However, the pre World War 1 organisation of the BJJS (British Ju Jutsu Society) was refused recognition from the Budokwai as were many others because they refused to subjugate themselves to the directives of the Budokwai Executive.

Much politics passed, like the proverbial water beneath the bridge, until the late 1960’s. Organisations were abundant, all with differing rules and grading standards. The government’s concern was raised regards over the standards of teaching and regulation within the country. The product was a Commission, funded by the Sports Council, formed to regulate the regulatory bodies and if necessary streamline the various organisations professing the same art into one.

In the case of Ju Jitsu a number of organisations were identified and brought together to form a British Ju Jitsu Association.

The British Ju Jitsu Association has seen a number of changes since its birth and today enjoys recognition from SportEngland (formerly the Sports Council for England).

 
The Scottish Perspective

From the early days of Willam Bankier’s involvement, Scots have played a role in the development and spread of Jiu Jitsu across the country. Through his connections with Garrud’s wrestlers, Yukio Tani made himself available for contest and teaching. One eminent Scot who derived much from Tani was undefeated world middleweight champion – George Kidd. George was fascinated by the flexibility and effectiveness of the system and took a keen interest in the art.

Over the years there have been a number of claims by various Scots to have travelled either to Japan to learn Ju Jitsu or having learned from a U.K. resident master but many of these claims.

In 1977, Robert G. Ross, a Scot hailing from Dundee, contacted the Martial Arts Commission (MAC) to enquire about the new Ju Jitsu body namely the BJJA. Robert was a Constable of the Tayside Police Force and within a year or so he and his group of Ju Jitsuka had been accepted into membership of the new BJJA. The group was a separate and autonomous group not connected to the Tayside Police Force. After about 18 months of membership Robert had identified that there were 4 main clubs in Scotland and catalysed a meeting of the leaders.

This was the formation of the Scottish arm of the BJJA – the four leaders were Robert G. Ross, Ken Wright, Jim McKelvie and Jim Bryson. The organisation was named the Scottish Union of Clubs during its set-up phase thereafter to be renamed and inaugurated as the Scottish Ju Jitsu Association.

Contact was made with the Scottish Sports Council (SSC) and very soon the activity of Ju Jitsu was formally recognised in Scotland. Then came the major task of recognition of the organisation. This was no easy task and was met with some resistance from the English contingents of the BJJA who opposed the whole question of federalisation. This essentially caused a separating of ways between the BJJA and the SJJA. The SJJA continued to work with the SSC and developed the sport nationally and internationally. Application to the Scottish Sports Council was made by the SJJA for recognition as the governing body responsible for development of the sport in Scotland and interim recognition was granted while some additional work and re-structuring was carried out within the SJJA.

In 1997 a formal application was made by the Scottish Ju Jitsu Association to the Scottish Sports Council for full recognition as the governing body for Ju Jitsu in Scotland. On Wednesday 28th April 1999 sportscotland (formerly the Scottish Sports Council) granted the Scottish Ju Jitsu Association full recognition as the Scottish governing body of sport for Ju Jitsu. The road for development and change within the Scottish Ju Jitsu Association was arduous, but the Executive Officers have a stabilised the organisation capable of representing Ju Jitsu on both a National and International level. Devolution has taken place within the home countries in the UK and Scotland now has its own parliament. This places a huge responsibility on all the governing bodies of sport in Scotland to assert their position within both the UK and International Arena to facilitate the sporting determination of the people of Scotland. The SJJA have formal recognition as the governing body, it remains to be seen what role it will play within a UK context. The SJJA are not in membership of any British body and the policy of the SJJA is now and has been from inception, that an integrated and inclusive approach to Ju Jitsu clubs and organisations is vital. Federalisation should also take place within the UK to ensure a fair and equitable arrangement for clubs within the home countries. This Federalisation should involve the bringing together of all the recognised sports council governing bodies for Ju Jitsu to act as a UK 'policing' authority for the sport and a point of reference for international affairs, etc. To date this federalisation has yet to take place to bring about a fully representative and inclusive UK body. Meanwhile the SJJA conducts the affairs of the governing body in Scotland entirely and all clubs in Scotland are invited to participate in the SJJA, which now acts as an umbrella body for all styles of Ju Jitsu, to formulate the policy and shape the future of Ju Jitsu in the country. If any club or organisation in Scotland is not currently in membership of the SJJA and would like to be included, then in the first instance, contact with the SJJA Chairman would be recommended.

Introduction

All athletes have the right to compete in sport knowing that they, and their competitors, are clean. We believe in clean sport and work in partnership with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) to ensure that the integrity of our sport is protected.

Anti-Doping Rules

Scottish Ju Jitsu Association has in place a set of anti-doping rules that all athletes and athlete support personnel must abide by. The anti-doping rules for Scottish Ju Jitsu Association are consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code), the core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport globally.

The anti-doping rules of Scottish Ju Jitsu Association are the rules published by UK Anti-Doping (or its successor), as amended from time to time.

If you are a member of Scottish Ju Jitsu Association then the anti-doping rules apply to you, regardless of what level you participate at. You can find the UK Anti-Doping Rules here.

2021 World Anti-Doping Code

From 1 January 2021, a new version of the Code is in effect and it’s important that all athletes and athlete support personnel are aware of how this impacts them.

For more information on the changes within the 2021 Code, visit UKAD’s website here.

Under the 2021 Code, an athlete may be classified as being “International-Level”, “National-Level” or a “Recreational Athlete” based on their competition level. Further information on these different categories is available on the UKAD website.

Anti-Doping Rule Violations

Breaking the anti-doping rules can result in a ban from all sport. The Code outlines the Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). Athletes and athlete support personnel need to make sure they are fully aware of these violations, and the consequences of breaking them. For more information and what this means for those individuals, click here.

For information on individuals serving a ban from sport, visit UKAD’s sanction page on their website.

The Big Picture - Top Tips for Clean Sport

An athlete is responsible for anything found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether there is any intention to cheat. All athletes and athlete support personnel should make themselves aware of the risks, so they don’t receive an unintentional ban from sport. Useful information for athletes can be found on the UKAD website.

The Prohibited List

All prohibited substances and methods in Code-compliant sports are outlined in the Prohibited List. The Prohibited List is managed and coordinated by WADA, found on the WADA website here. The List is updated each year, coming into effect on 1st January. It is possible for WADA to make changes to the List more than once a year, but they must communicate such changes three months before they come into effect. As this list is updated annually, athletes and athlete support personnel should make sure they check it ahead of it coming into effect. More information can be found on UKAD’s website here.

Checking Medications

Before taking any medication (whether from a doctor or purchased over the counter), athletes must check to make sure it doesn’t contain any prohibited substances. Medications (ingredients or brand name) can be checked online at Global DRO. It is important to note that medications bought in one country may contain different ingredients to the same branded medication in another country. For more information on checking medications, visit UKAD’s website here.

Check out the video below from UKAD’s Athlete Commission member and British Paralympic Powerlifter, Ali Jawad, on using Global DRO. Click here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABLbo20B-3Q

Taking Nutritional Supplements

UKAD always advises a food first approach to nutrition, as there are no guarantees that any supplement product is free from prohibited substances. Athletes can support their training and progress towards their targets by eating and enjoying nutritious food. With a bit of planning, it is possible to eat a delicious and healthy diet made up of a variety of food types at the right time, and in the right quantities.

Athletes should assess the need, the risks and the consequences before deciding to take a supplement, and if they need to use one, visit the Informed Sport website to check whether supplements have been batch-tested. More advice on managing supplement risks can be found on UKAD’s Supplement Hub here.

Applying for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)

If an athlete with a legitimate medical condition needs to use a prohibited substance or method, they will need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). This is only accepted if there are no other suitable permitted medications or treatments that can be used, and there is a strict, detailed process to determine this. Athletes can find out more information about the TUE process on the UKAD website here and use the TUE Wizard to find out whether they need to apply for a TUE and who to submit their application to.

What happens in a test?

Athletes should feel prepared and know their rights and responsibilities when they are notified to be tested by a Chaperone or Doping Control Officer. Check out this video below on the testing process from start to finish.

Click Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzOnQBK_YZo

Athletes can find out more in the Introduction to Testing section of UKAD’s website.

100% me – Supporting athletes to be clean

100% Me is UKAD’s values-based education and information programme, helping athletes meet their anti-doping responsibilities throughout their sporting journey. We want all athletes to be clean, stay clean and believe all others are clean.

For more information on what this means, visit UKAD’s website here. UKAD’s 100% me Clean Sport App can also be downloaded from iTunes, Google Play or Windows Live Store, for essential anti-doping information.

Protect Your Sport

Protecting clean sport depends on everyone playing their part - athletes, coaches, or parents - whether on centre stage or behind the scenes. Speak out if you feel there’s something wrong - no matter how small. UKAD guarantee that your identity will always be kept 100% confidential.

There are different ways to speak out:

• Email - When you feel something’s wrong, send an email. UKAD guarantee that your name and email address will be kept confidential. Email at protectyoursport@reportdoping.com
• Online Form - Tell us what you know via our online form on protectyoursport.co.uk. You will remain anonymous as standard, but if you choose to share your details confidentially it could help us catch those in sport who seek to cheat
• 24/7 Hotline - Call on 08000 32 23 32. We are here to listen. If you prefer to remain 100% anonymous you can. Or if you share your details, they will be kept confidential, and may help keep sport clean

Find out the more about speaking out and Protect Your Sport here.

For further information

Please do not hesitate to ask questions about the anti-doping rules. As well as asking Scottish Ju Jitsu Association and athlete support personnel, athletes may also contact UKAD directly, who will be able to answer any questions and provide guidance. They can be contacted at ukad@ukad.org.uk or +44 (0) 207 842 3450.

Regular updates from UKAD can also be found in the news section of their website, or on their Twitter account: @ukantidoping.

Contact the Scottish Ju Jitsu Association anti-doping lead: Mr. Robert G. Ross, Scottish Ju Jitsu Association 93 Douglas Street, Dundee DD1 5AZ (01382) 201601

Creating a profile is simple enough. First go to the top right hand side of the Home page and click Create Profile.

Your will be prompted to create a user name, this can either be a nickname or your own name. Any vulgar entries will be deleted.

Once done, you will next enter your email address. Why do we need this, we quite bluntly its the way we will communicate with you.

Lastly you will be asked to create a password. Please create a strong password using letters, numbers and symbols. The SJJA will NEVER ask you for your password so do not share your password with anyone.

Following this the SJJA site will automatically send to your email a message to verify your address. Its as simple click the link to verify your email address. Following this verification you will be able to upload a photo and create a small bio. This will help other identify you from someone else who may have a similar name.

Good Luck...! If you need further assiatance, please contact the SJJA HQs.

There are different grades for different students namely, grades for Children are called Mon grades. Adults grades are called Kyu grades. Black belts grades are avaialble for both children and adults and are known as Dan grades.

To begin with, something loose and comfortable is recommended and if you join you may decide to invest in a Gi (white wrap over suit) to wear instead and so protect your clothes.

You will be offered the opportunity to come to the club and try some sessions and if you enjoy it, the club staff will guide you through the membership process.

Nearby Bus stop are on Lochee Road (28, 29.) and on Blackness Road (22, 23.)

The SJJA HQs is located at 93 Douglas Street, Dundee DD1 5AZ. It's fairly central within the City near to the Westport within walking distance from both the train and bus stations (approx 10 mins).