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e all know that most martial arts have links to something from the
past. Most historians will agree that China is the first link in
the chain of many countries that claim to have indigenous fighting
systems. We also know that there are typically several different
branches of each martial art on its developmental family tree.
Each of these branches usually has one common factor -- the basic philosophy that the art is, and always should be, used only as a last resort for self defense and self preservation. One element that is almost always overlooked is the fact that no one systems is perfect; many things can be learned from other styles, theories and instructors. This is the premise of Karate Jutsu. There are many elements that make up this system of martial arts, but before explaining these elements a few facts need to be understood about this art.
Karate Jutsu is the predecessor of Karate Do, the "empty hand way". The suffix "jutsu" implies a form of combat, whereas "Do" indicates a discipline and philosophy with moral and spiritual connotations. Today, Karate Jutsu itself has its own philosophy of peacefulness and tranquility.
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HISTORY ||
CURRENT ||
FEDERATION ||
SEMINARS ||
NEWSLETTER
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Karate Jutsu's literal translation is "empty hand art".
it stems from the earlier word te, meaning "hand".
This was the first name given to the art in Okinawa, chosen to give
the Chinese their due credit for developing the foundation of all
martial arts -- also referred to as the "China hand art".
Sokon Matsumura is given credit for creating this name around the
late 1700s. Through the years to follow, many other names for
individual styles emerged, with each master taking his chosen
methods and techniques, favorite kata, and his own approach to self
defense. Karate Jutsu goes back to the roots of the Chinese,
Okinawan and Japanese martial arts when the arts were developing
and influencing one another.
Karate Jutsu consists of the following main principles: hard and
soft Karate using a 50/50 blend of the hands and legs for self
defense, aiki jutsu techniques for flow and grace and ju
jutsu kumi-uchi for ground defense and offense. It also embraces the
traditional teachings of Okinawan weaponry -- bo,
tonfa, nunchaku, sai, and kama. Kobudo, being the way of Okinawan weapons through the
practice of kata. Kobu Jutsu, the art of Okinawan weapons, applying
combative techniques for self defense.