What am I practicing? Jujutsu, Koppojutsu, Aikijutsu, Kosshijutsu, Taijutsu?

1. Japanese martial arts, known collectively as budō, have fascinated the world for their technical, philosophical and spiritual depth. Originating in the context of Japan's feudal battlefield, these practices were not only designed for combat survival, but also for personal development, discipline, and perfection of character. Among them, unarmed fighting occupies a prominent place, reflecting a rich diversity of techniques and approaches. Terms like jujutsu, aikijujutsu, dakentaijutsu, koppojutsu, kacchu yawara, jutaijutsu and kosshijutsu They describe different facets of this art, each with their own specializations, tactics, and underlying philosophies. Through the ryuha (schools) that have transmitted this knowledge from generation to generation, we can explore a martial legacy that goes beyond the simple act of defending ourselves, delving into a practice that is both a path to self-knowledge and mastery. staff.

Jujutsu, an ancient Japanese martial art, focuses on unarmed fighting techniques that incorporate throws, holds, chokes, and strikes. Developed by samurai to defend themselves when unarmed, its essence lies in adaptability and efficiency, using the opponent's strength and movement against himself. This practice promotes flexibility, both physical and tactical, teaching the practitioner to respond to various combat situations with cunning and control. Jujutsu is not only a method of self-defense, but also a discipline that encourages physical, mental and spiritual development, reflecting the deep connection with the samurai philosophy of bushido.

• Yoshin-ryu (楊心流): This school, "The Heart of the Willow", symbolizes flexibility and resistance, teaching techniques that allow the practitioner to yield to force to overcome an opponent. Founded in the Edo period, it has influenced many modern martial arts, including judo.

Dakentaijutsu is a crucial component of Japanese martial arts, especially within ninjutsu, focusing on advanced striking and kicking techniques. This discipline covers the study and application of precise blows aimed at vulnerable points of the opponent's body, such as nerves and vital organs, seeking to maximize the impact with minimal effort. Through a deep understanding of human anatomy, Dakentaijutsu teaches its practitioners to be efficient and effective in combat, using both power and precision in each movement. Its practice not only improves offensive skills but also develops a keen perception of timing and distance, essential elements for mastery in real confrontation situations.

• Togakure-ryū (戸隠流): This ninjutsu ryuha emphasizes techniques of stealth, escape, and the varied use of weapons, in addition to including dakentaijutsu in its curriculum, teaching practitioners to effectively hit vital points.

Aikijujutsu, the direct predecessor of Aikido, is a Japanese martial art that combines jujutsu techniques with aiki principles, focusing on using the opponent's energy and movement against himself. This discipline includes throws, locks, and immobilization techniques, promoting a gentle, non-resistant approach. Originating in the warrior traditions of the samurai, Aikijujutsu is distinguished by its technical sophistication and its emphasis on harmony between the practitioner and adverse forces. Practiced for both self-defense and spiritual development, it embodies the pursuit of combat efficiency and peaceful conflict resolution.

• Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu (大東流合気柔術): Predecessor of aikido, this school specializes in sophisticated techniques of joint control and energy manipulation, with a lineage dating back centuries.

Koppojutsu, meaning "art of bones," is an ancient Japanese martial discipline focused on manipulating and breaking an opponent's bones. This technique stands out for its deep knowledge of human anatomy, allowing practitioners to apply force and pressure at specific points to effectively incapacitate an adversary without the need for excessive brute force. Traditionally associated with ninjutsu schools, such as Koto Ryu, Koppojutsu combines precise strikes, locks and leverage, emphasizing attacks on vulnerable areas such as joints and pressure points. This martial art not only teaches effective combat methods but also promotes a deep understanding of injury and self-defense mechanisms.

• Koto Ryu (虎倒流): Within ninjutsu, this school is distinguished by its focus on precise and direct attacks, ideal for quickly incapacitating an opponent.

Kacchu Yawara, which translates as "fighting techniques in armor," is a Japanese martial discipline designed for samurai. Focusing on hand-to-hand combat while wearing full armor, Kacchu Yawara teaches methods to leverage the limitations and weight of armor to the warrior's advantage. This practice emphasizes grappling techniques, throws, immobilizations, and attacks on vulnerable points exposed by armor. Emerging in the context of feudal warfare, where agility and efficiency could mean the difference between life and death, Kacchu Yawara reflects the adaptability and ingenuity of samurai in battle.

• Takenouchi-ryu (竹内流): As one of the oldest ryuha, it is noted for its teaching of effective techniques in both armed and unarmed combat, including handling against armored adversaries.

Jutaijutsu is a Japanese martial discipline that focuses on the effective use of one's own body to execute throws, immobilizations and strangulations, capitalizing on the strength and movement of the opponent. This practice emphasizes the importance of fluidity, adaptability and technique over brute force, allowing practitioners to neutralize aggression through physical control and balance. One of the representative ryuha of this art is Hontai Yoshin-ryu, known for its holistic approach that combines physical, tactical and philosophical principles, reflecting the essence of traditional jujutsu and the concept of 'ju', or softness, in confrontation.

• Hontai Yoshin-ryu (本体楊心流): This school emphasizes adaptability and softness, using the opponent's energy against him, and is known for its deep philosophical and technical approach.

Kosshijutsu (骨指術) is a Japanese martial arts discipline that focuses on the use of blows and pressure on specific points of the body, especially nerves and muscles, to inflict pain, imbalance, or incapacitate the opponent. This practice requires a deep knowledge of human anatomy to be effective, standing out for its efficiency in combat without the need to resort to brute force. It is found primarily in ninjutsu traditions, as part of a broader arsenal of techniques aimed at survival and effectiveness in adverse situations. One of the most prominent schools that teaches kosshijutsu is Gyokko-ryū, known for its antiquity and focus on techniques that manipulate the opponent's body structure through precise attacks on vulnerable points.

• Gyokko-ryū (玉虎流): This is one of the oldest schools that teaches kosshijutsu, focusing on the use of precise blows and manipulations that affect the opponent's nervous system, standing out for its subtlety and tactical effectiveness.

Each of these terms and their respective ryuha offer a spectrum of techniques and philosophies that reflect the complexity of Japanese martial arts. From combat pragmatism to spiritual and moral development, these martial practices encapsulate a rich cultural heritage and a legacy of wisdom applicable both in everyday life and in self-defense situations.