Gendai jujutsu

Gendai Jujutsu

Gendai Jujutsu or Modern Jujutsu are new styles and methods of Jujutsu which were created in the modern era, as opposed to the Koryu Jujutsu schools, which were created in the pre-modern era.

According to David Maynard [http://www.shinyokai.com/Essays_WhatisjujutsuTEXT.htm] , many jujutsu are classified as Nihon gendai jujutsu schools. They are modern variations of Nihon koryu jujutsu founded after the end of the Tokugawa reign (1603-1868 CE).

If a Japanese based martial system is formulated in modern times (post Tokugawa) but is only partially influenced by traditional Nihon jujutsu, it may be more correctly referred to as gendai goshin jujutsu ( modern self defense jujutsu). Gendai goshin jujutsu is usually (but not always) formulated outside Japan and may include influences from other martial traditions.

One example of modern self defense Jujutsu created in Japan is the Nihon Jujutsu system [http://imaf.com/jujutsu.html] which was created by Shizuya Sato, the senior instructor of the Kokusai Budoin Headquarters in Tokyo.

According to the Nihon Jujutsu website : "Nihon Jujutsu is a modern system of self-defense and physical exercise based on techniques commonly found in ancient and contemporary styles of armed and unarmed combat. Regular training includes physical conditioning, evasive movements, striking, throwing and immobilizations (joint locks and other methods of restraint). The training employs a systematic approach to self-defense that effectively develops speed, balance and power through graduated exercises."

Other examples of gendai jujutsu systems are: Hakko Ryu of Okuyama Ryuho, Danzan Ryu of H. Okazaki and the various Goshin Budo systems all over the world. Some of gendai jujutsu systems are founded by half-Japanese people, such as the Budoshin Jujutsu [http://www.budoshin.com] of Jack Sanzo Seki, and by non-Japanese, such as the Ketsugo jujutsu system of Harold Brosious.

Controversies regarding the status of Gendai / Modern Jujutsu

The eclectic and composite nature of many Gendai Jujutsu systems naturally lead into questioning and extensive discussions from other martial artists. E-Budo, one of the most active martial arts discussion forums in the Internet, has several threads dedicated to discussions regarding Gendai Jujutsu. [http://www.e-budo.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36892]

Neil Hawkins, one of the moderators at E-Budo, has this comment regarding the controversy of Modern Jujutsu:

"...the source of the problem stems from some of the practicioners of 'modern jujutsu' who try and claim koryu status. There is nothing wrong with their style per se, but their attitude and self promotion are the point of contention..Most 'westernised jujutsu' systems are perfectly good martial arts as long as no one claims that they are traditional jujutsu. Some however are not, and unfortunately it is often those that receive the coverage.." [http://www.e-budo.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4892]

Johan Smits, a frequent contributor for E-Budo, has this comment regarding the above-mentioned controversy:

"..In my view there are (for this discussion) three forms of jujutsu: koryu jujutsu; westernized jujutsu; modern jujutsu. The last term at least for the sake of convenience can be used for jujutsu styles, founded after 1900 in Japan. Westernized jujutsu, has been in Europe for almost a century. The lack of identity from which is suffered comes from the fact that no complete system of jujutsu has been transferred to the West. The first teachers did teach koryu jujutsu for a part. Tenjin Shin'yo ryu; Yoshin ryu and Ryoi Shinto ryu were three systems which were taught. However these first teachers did not transmit the complete systems. What they taught was mainly, part of the syllabus of their ryu, for self-defense. They named it jujutsu and they graded their pupils who also used the name jujutsu. Now if those teachers taught an art to which they referred to as jujutsu, then it is jujutsu. Nothing wrong with that. The next problem is that westernized jujutsu was mainly a bag of tricks. No substantial theory, no history beyond one generation. Please do not get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with Westernized jujutsu. Far from it! Thanks to the dedication to jujutsu of just a few people we are abel to learn a wonderful art. Throughout the years I noticed a lot of people, and often those with a background in koryu reacted a bit negative about westernized jujutsu and there is no reason for that. Westernized jujutsu is a form of jujutsu, no matter what. No matter what people say, it has been here for almost a century and it is here to stay.." [http://www.e-budo.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4892] "

From the statements above, we may conclude that the act of creating modern Jujutsu systems is not condemned, but the act of creating something new then give it a false lineage which gave the impressions of antiquity.

Notes

References

* http://www.shinyokai.com/Essays_WhatisjujutsuTEXT.htm Essay by David Maynard about What is Jujutsu?
* http://imaf.com/jujutsu.html Official website of the IMAF, containing information about Nihon Jujutsu
* http://www.e-budo.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35253 Discussions in E-Budo regarding Nihon Jujutsu of Shizuya Sato.
* http://www.e-budo.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36892 most recent E-Budo discussions thread regarding Gendai Jujutsu.
* http://www.e-budo.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4892 earlier E-Budo discussions regarding Gendai (Modern Jujutsu).