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JujutsuJujutsu is a Japanese martial art whose name literally means "softness technique" or "way of yielding". It was first created by the samurai of feudal Japan as a way to defeat an armed and armored opponent without having arms and armor yourself. Because an opponent's armor would protect him, jujutsu eschewed strikes for pins, joint locks, and throws. These techniques were designed to use an attacker's momentum against him instead of fighting it directly.  Jujutsu training at an agricultural school in Japan around 1920. HistoryJujutsu was first created by the samurai of feudal Japan as a way to defeat an armed and armored opponent while missing their katana. The term "jujutsu" was not created until the 1600s, when it referred to a wide range of grappling-related disciplines. Today, the systems of unarmed combat the were developed and practiced in the Muromachi period (133-1573) are collectively called Japanese old-style jujutsu (日本古流柔術 Nihon koryū jūjutsu). These fighting styles included the use of striking, throwing, restraining, blocking, evading, off-balancing, blending, escaping, and minor weaponry like the tanto (dagger) and the ryu fundo kusari (weighted chain). Later, jujutsu developed into a system designed for opponents without armor outside of a battlefield. DescriptionJapanese jujutsu systems generally place more emphasis on throwing, immobilizing and pinning, joint-locking, choking, and strangling techniques than other martial arts styles, like karate. In jujutsu, there are five main sectors ("arts") of training: the Art of Blocking, the Art of the Fulcrum Throw, the Art of the Non-fulcrum Throw, the Art of Escaping (Hakko-Dori), and the Art of Striking (Atemi-Waza). These are used in different amounts depending on the specific school of jujutsu's influences and date of formation. Brazilian Jiu-JitsuBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu, abbreviated BJJ, is a slightly modified version of jujutsu where more emphasis is placed on takedowns and ground-grappling. It was developed in Brazil by Mitsuyo Maeda and Helio Gracie. Example videos
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