THE ORIGINS OF JU JITSU

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Ju-Jitsu (or Ju-Jutsu) is the ancient martial art of the Samurai. Traces of its existence first appear more than 2500 years ago in Japan, making it one of the longest known martial arts. It is mentioned in Japanese mythology that the gods Kajima and Kadori are said to use Ju-Jitsu against the inhabitants of an eastern region as punishment for their criminal activities.
The philosophy of Ju Jitsu was first influenced by the Asian continent during the era of the Eastern Chou in China (770-256 BC), a period during which bare-hand fighting techniques were practiced. When the sporting form of Chikara Kurabe appeared in Japan in 230 BC, many of its fighting techniques and strategies were included in martial training. From 230 BC onwards, many fighting schools were created that formed skilled warriors. In 525 A.D. Boddhidharma, a Buddhist monk, traveled from India to China, visiting the Shaolin Monastery.
He soon integrated Chinese Kempo with his Yoga experience, forming Shaolin Chuan Fa.

In prehistoric Japan, the appearance of the blade predates that of the elaboration of writing, which took place only in 600 AD. following a spiritual impulse: the introduction of Buddhism, imported from China, which triggered long struggles between the most powerful families such as the Soga, the Monobe and the Nakatomi. The latter, in support of the Shinto cult, claimed the traditional conception of the state, while the Soga (even without realizing it perfectly) with the defense of Buddhism aimed at the creation of a state with central power on the Chinese example. With the triumph of the Soga came the total affirmation of Buddhism and the decisive turning point in the transformation of Japan into a centralized empire. The ties with China became closer, Shaolin influenced the Japanese martial art with the knowledge of percussion techniques on nerve centers.

During the Heian period (794-1185 AD) there are clear traces that bare hand techniques were practiced, along with weapons, as part of the training of samurai warriors.
This period revealed the impossibility of carrying out the process of centralization of power, as several powerful military families arose in the vast eastern territories. In fact, the continuous transfer of land ownership rights to Buddhist monasteries and aristocratic families had facilitated the formation of large estates and these in turn had led to the birth of semi-autonomous armed groups. Some families of distant imperial ancestry took advantage of the presence of these militias to form real armies. When the Fujiwara fell, it was the Minamoto who took the reins of power by defeating their rivals Taira after a series of epic battles culminating in the famous naval battle of Danno-ura in 1185.
This date marked the beginning of the Kamakura period (1185-1333). The victor established a military government and took the title of Shogun.