| Once an obscure Japanese martial art known only | | | | these. The main principle of Jiujitsu is using and |
| to military servicemen and martial arts | | | | attacker's energy against him as opposed to |
| aficionados, Jiujitsu has gained mass popularity | | | | confronting him head-on. |
| with the help of fast-rising mixed martial arts | | | | Jiujitsu is one martial art that has numerous |
| competitions covered by the media. Various MMA | | | | variations and different schools may put stress on |
| competitions such as the Ultimate Fighting | | | | the different aspects of it- holds, joint locks, |
| Championship's Gracie brothers (who practiced | | | | kicking, etc. Before the actual name for Jiujitsu |
| their own brand of Brazilian Jiujitsu) has thrust the | | | | was coined in the 17th century, its many facets |
| ancient "soft-style" martial art into the spotlight. | | | | had their own terms: kogusoku koshi no mawari |
| The term Jiujitsu literally translated from Japanese | | | | or short sword grappling, plain grappling kumiuchi, |
| means "the art of softness" consists of a | | | | torite or catching hand, body art or taijutsu, and |
| combination of throwing, grappling and striking | | | | wajutsu or the art of harmony. A popular |
| techniques. It was developed in the medieval | | | | derivative of Jiujitsu discovered by Kano Jigoro |
| times by Samurai for subduing armed and | | | | two centuries later is the Olympic sport of Judo, |
| armor-clad opponents- when strikes were | | | | or 'the gentle way'. Immensely popular and |
| deemed impractical. Throws, pins, and joint locks | | | | practiced by many Westerners, it concentrates |
| were found to be more effective in situations like | | | | mainly on throws and submissions. |