JIU JITSU is a comprehensive combat system which originated in Japan. Methods used contain throwing techniques (Nage waza), holding techniques (Katame waza) and punches, strikes and kicks (Atemi), which include numerous subdivisions and are of different importance within the plethora of different schools (Ryu) and styles (Ryu-ha). The Tenshin shinyo ryu, for example, is best known for Atemi and arresting techniques (Torae waza) whereas Nage waza is a speciality of the Kito ryu. Daito ryu again teaches many joint locking techniques (Kansetsu waza). Originally, JIU JITSU, under its various names such as (Aiki [ju] jutsu, Hakuda, Kempo, Kogusoku, Koshi no mawari, Kumi uchi, Tai jitsu, Torite, Shubaku, Yawara etc.), was part of the syllabus of the different combat schools of the Japanese warrior class (Bushi, Samurai), as a supplement of the weapon techniques. 

Many Ryu opened for the common people (Heimin) as a consequence of the political changes of the Tokugawa-period (1603 - 1867). During this period, many schools were founded which emphasized mainly unarmed combat techniques. At the same time, the name "JIU JITSU" came into use as a collective designation for methodes of close combat, which more or less take advantage of the force of an attack, according to the principle of "Ju yoku go o sei suru" ("the soft conquers the hard"). Within the schools themselves, more often the old names, or new ones, given by the respective founders (Shodai), remained in use. 

Today, JIU JITSU is used by various military - and police - forces in its original meaning as a close combat system or to fulfill certain police tasks, or is taught as a civilian method of self-defense (Bugei, (Ko-) Bujutsu). (Ko-) Budo - where martial art is called martial way - is practised for the perfection of personality and character in the first place, more or less regardless of practical application. This variant also originated in 17th-century Japan. Many schools, systems and organizations that belong to the so-called "modern" Budo (Shinbudo, Gendai Budo) (founded after Meiji-restauration (1867), which marked the end of feudalism, military government (Bakufu) under a Shogun and the warrior class of Bushi or Samurai, practice their martial art also as a competitive sport. All these aspects coexist, with various schools and organizations emphasizing different aspects. 

JIU JITSU is also the source of several new martial arts. KANO Jigoro, at the end of nineteenth century, founded (Kodokan-) JUDO, meanwhile an Olympic discipline, mainly applying techniques of Tenshin shinyo ryu and Kito ryu. The roots of UESHIBA Morihei's AIKIDO is Daito ryu aiki ju jutsu, and some KARATE styles (which in general have another history), can be traced back to JIU JITSU. Among the more prominent styles there is Wado ryu karate whose founder OTSUKA Hironori was a master of Yoshin ryu jiu jitsu kempo.
 
 

When discussing the "correct" spelling of the name " jiu jitsu", one has to take into account that the only one undisputed form is to use the Sino-Japanese characters. The Japanese script consists of three groups: Sino-Japanese ideograms, kanji, which represent either a full word or part of a compound. The two kanji for J(i)u Jitsu (Jutsu) are depicted on the left side in the picture above. Kana (Katakana and Hiragana) were created much later to represent phonetic syllables, much like Roman letters. However, the main constituents of the Japanese script are Kanji. 

Most of these characters have more than one pronounciation, the Sino-Japanese On- and the Japanese Kun-pronounciation. In accordance with the meaning, or nuance of meaning a Kanji can have more than one On- and Kun- readings. In the picture above, the On-reading(s) are depicted in capitals, the Kun-reading(s) with small letters.

There are different transcription systems of Japanese words into Roman letters. The three most prominent ones are Nipponshiki, Kunreishiki and Hebonshiki (Hepburn-system). In principle they are the Japanese sounds, written down in their romanized forms. Under these circumstances, the transcription of a word from Japanese standard language may lead to results different from regional dialect or similar variations. (Samurai had a specific style of speaking). 

• The Nipponshiki was presented by TANAKADATE Aikitsu 1881. 

• The Hepburn-System ("Hebonshiki") was named after the American missionary James Curtis HEPBURN who used this method for the third edition of his Japanese-English Dictionary in 1886. Today, it is the most widely used transcription in the Western world. 

• The Kunreishiki (more related to the Nipponshiki) was first established for official duties in 1937 by a resolution of the Japanese government, and once again recommended in 1954, but its use was not made mandatory. 

The "Oesterreichischer Jiu Jitsu Bund (OEJJB)" chose the version "Jiu Jitsu" according to a tradition that has been existing in Austria since the 1920s, without excluding other spellings. For the translation of the name of our organization into English, we use "Ju Jitsu" (Austrian Ju Jitsu Federation), which is common in English-speaking countries. The name of our organization in Japanese Kanji, stands (using the Hepburn-system and Japanese standard language) for the spelling "Ju Jutsu" (Oosutoria Ju Jutsu Ren Mei).

The pronounciation is jyoo jeets(oo) (JIU JITSU), joo jeets(oo) (JU JITSU) or joo joots(oo) (JU JUTSU). The "u" at the end of J(I)U is a long vowel, the "u" at the end of JITSU (JUTSU) is pronounced lightly, or omitted altogether.