Ju-jitsu is an ancient Japanese martial art. Its origins date back to the 16th century, when legend has it that Shirobei Akiyama witnessed how the branches of most trees broke under the heavy loads of snow and ice during a blizzard, while the elastic branches of the willow bent and efficiently freed themselves from the destructive weights.

Thus the “Gentle Art” or “Art of Suppleness”, for this is the meaning of 'ju-jitsu' in Japanese, does not neutralize power with power but aims to rationally absorb an attack and convert that energy to the opponent’s detriment.

The golden age of ju-jitsu lasted until 1869, year when the emperor’s return to Japan and the subsequent abolition of feudalism caused the samurai to lose their privileged status. Samurai tradition nevertheless kept ju-jitsu alive and travelers brought the martial art to all four corners of the world.

In more recent years, the essence of other martial arts, such as judo and aikido, has developed from ju-jitsu, extracting specific aspects of their martial art forefather. An international governing body was established in 1977 – between the founding members Italy, Germany and Sweden – in order to develop the sporting aspects of ju-jitsu. Since then, the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) has become a structured federation organized in Continental Unions, coordinated by a central Board and supported by Committees. JJIF organizes World and Continental Championships, International Camps, seminars, and an annual Congress and General Assembly. JJIF is Member of GAISF and IWGA since 1994.

The JJIF currently contemplates two different types of competitions at world level: the Duo System and the Fighting System. The former is a discipline in which a pair of jutsukas from the same team show possible self-defense techniques against a series of 12 attacks, randomly called by the mat referee to cover the following scenarios: grip attack (or strangulation), embrace attack (or necklock), hit attack (punch or kick) and armed attack (stick or knife). The Duo System has three competition categories: male, female or mixed, and the athletes are judged for their speed, accuracy, control and realism. It is arguably the most spectacular form of ju-jitsu competition and it requires great technical preparation, synchronism and elevated athletic qualities.

With a different approach, the Fighting System is articulated in a series of two-round, one-on-one combats between athletes from opposing teams. The system is divided in 10 categories according to weight and sex (male categories: -62 kg, -69 kg, -77 kg, -85 kg, -94 kg, 94+ kg; female categories -55 kg, -62 kg, -70 kg, 70+ kg).

The actual combat is divided in three parts: Part I sees the jutsukas involved in distance combat and controlled attacks with arms and legs. Once a grab has been made, the fight enters Part II and hits are no longer allowed. The jutsukas try to bring one another down with various throwing techniques. Points are given according to how clean and effective the actions are judged. Once down on the tatami mats, the match enters its Part III. Here points are given for immobilization techniques, controlled strangulations or levers on body joints that bring the opponent to yield. The winner is the jutsuka who has accumulated most points during the fight. This type of competition requires timing, agility, strength and endurance.

 Ju-jitsu at The World Games 2005

Ju-jitsu events on the Official Sports Program of The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung:

Duo (Men, Women, Mixed); Fighting Men (-69 kg, -77 kg, -85 kg, -94 kg); Fighting Women (-55 kg, -62 kg, -70 kg)