Once an obscure Japanese martial art known only to military servicemen and martial arts aficionados, Jiujitsu has gained mass popularity with the help of fast-rising mixed martial arts competitions covered by the media. Various MMA competitions such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship's Gracie brothers (who practiced their own brand of Brazilian Jiujitsu) has thrust the ancient "soft-style" martial art into the spotlight.



The term Jiujitsu literally translated from Japanese means "the art of softness" consists of a combination of throwing, grappling and striking techniques. It was developed in the medieval times by Samurai for subduing armed and armor-clad opponents- when strikes were deemed impractical. Throws, pins, and joint locks were found to be more effective in situations like these. The main principle of Jiujitsu is using and attacker's energy against him as opposed to confronting him head-on.

Jiujitsu is one martial art that has numerous variations and different schools may put stress on the different aspects of it- holds, joint locks, kicking, etc. Before the actual name for Jiujitsu was coined in the 17th century, its many facets had their own terms: kogusoku koshi no mawari or short sword grappling, plain grappling kumiuchi, torite or catching hand, body art or taijutsu, and wajutsu or the art of harmony. A popular derivative of Jiujitsu discovered by Kano Jigoro two centuries later is the Olympic sport of Judo, or 'the gentle way'. Immensely popular and practiced by many Westerners, it concentrates mainly on throws and submissions.

The Gracie clan's Brazilian Jiujitsu was derived from early forms of Kodokan judo and has proven to be extremely effective in modern mixed martial arts tournaments. Its emphasis lies mainly on ground fighting techniques with joint locks and strangleholds aimed at immobilizing an opponent and forcing him into submission. Training in sport Brazilian Jiujitsu foregoes the use of strikes and deals mainly on grappling and submission techniques. Most submission techniques fall into two categories- performing locks on the opponent's joints and chokeholds. A match in Brazilian Jiujitsu competition ends when one of the players either tap-out- signifying surrender, break a limb, or pass-out due to lack of oxygen.

Some Jiujitsu ryu (schools) even include weapons training as part of its curriculum. The tanto or Japanese dagger, ryufundo kusari or weighted chain, kabuto wari helmet smasher and disgused weapons or kakushi buki were some of the traditional weaponry used in earlyJiujitsu training. A traditional weapon that has all but disappeared from modern Jiujitsu training is the use of a hojo chord. In a technique called hojutsu, the chord is used to entrap, subdue or strangle one's opponent. Japanese police training in fact still employs some hojutsu basics and officers carry hojo cords along with the standard issue handcuffs.