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Ju

What is Ju?

In the context of Jujutsu (also spelled Jujitsu or Jiu-Jitsu), the term "Ju" (柔) is a Japanese word that means "gentle," "yielding," or "flexible." This concept is central to the philosophy and techniques of Jujutsu, which is a traditional Japanese martial art.

Jujutsu emphasizes using an opponent's energy and force against them rather than relying on brute strength. Techniques often involve joint locks, throws, and pins, allowing a practitioner to control or neutralize an opponent with minimal effort. The "gentle" aspect of Jujutsu refers to the idea of yielding to an opponent's force and redirecting it in a way that benefits the practitioner.

The full term "Jujutsu" (柔術) combines "Ju" (gentle) with "Jutsu" (art or technique), reflecting the art's focus on skillful and efficient techniques that leverage an opponent's movements.

Related Article: Exploring the Versatile Art of Jujutsu: The Gentle Art of Self-Defense

Nine Principles Never have a wicked heart. Train not by thought, but by practice. Learn a wide variety of arts and skills, and do not fix on only one. Know not only your own techniques but also those of many others. Find out rationally what is an advantage and what is a disadvantage. Foster an intuitive ability to judge all things. Feel an essence that you cannot see on the surface. Pay attention to the very smallest of phenomena. (Everything takes its own course, and sometimes we get unexpected results.) Do nothing in vain, for the energy and time we have is limited.
Kazumi Tabata

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