Why Japanese History Matters for Understanding Jujitsu
Jujitsu didn’t grow in isolation. It evolved alongside Japan’s political changes—especially the country’s long swing between warfare and peace.
A helpful way to understand this evolution is to view Japanese history in major periods. Each period had different power structures, social rules, and types of conflict—and those conditions shaped how martial training developed.
Ancient Japan (Before ~650): Early Combat Culture
Japan’s earliest era is strongly tied to the emergence of imperial rule and regional power struggles. Records from very early history are limited and mixed with legend, but the core pattern is clear: conflict existed, and people developed rough combat skills.
Early grappling traditions appear in forms that predate modern sumo. These early methods were often more combative than today’s sport wrestling.
Nara Period (650–793): From Combat Toward Ceremony
Compared to later eras, this period is less known for formal martial systems. One major trend appears to be a shift toward wrestling as a more public, organized practice—moving gradually away from purely combative use.
Heian Period (794–1191): Warriors Rise and Grappling Develops
As Japan’s warrior class expanded, grappling methods became more structured. This period saw increasing development of grappling systems used by warriors, including practices associated with close-range fighting.
Institutions supporting martial skill were encouraged, and training became more organized than the earlier scattered traditions.
Kamakura (1192–1336) and Muromachi (1337–1563): Warfare Creates Schools
These periods were marked by political instability and frequent warfare. When war becomes constant, martial knowledge becomes valuable—and a professional warrior class solidifies.
This is where Japan’s classical military schools expanded: systems focused primarily on weapons, battlefield tactics, and the realities of armored combat. Empty-hand fighting existed, but mostly as a backup when weapons failed or were lost.
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Azuchi Period (1564–1602): Class Rules and Weapon Restrictions
This era saw stricter separation between social classes. Weapon ownership became increasingly controlled, and commoners faced stronger restrictions.
When civilians can’t legally carry weapons, empty-hand self-defense becomes more important. This helps set the stage for later civilian-focused jujitsu traditions.
Edo Period (1603–1867): The Golden Age of Classical Jujitsu
The Edo period is crucial for jujitsu because Japan experienced long-term peace under a powerful centralized regime. Paradoxically, peace changes martial arts dramatically.
With fewer battles, the warrior class shifts toward bureaucratic roles, and battlefield martial training declines. Meanwhile, personal protection and civilian self-defense become more relevant.
This is the era when many classical jujitsu schools (koryu) multiplied and deepened their curricula. Jujitsu expanded in both technical variety and popularity—especially among people who needed practical defense without weapons.
Over time, however, the same peace that allowed growth also contributed to decline:
- less public need for combative training
- competition between many schools
- damaging public perceptions from harsh challenge matches
Jujitsu evolved as Japan shifted from war to peace to modernization.
Meiji Period (1868 onward): Modernization and the Rise of Judo
Modern Japan rapidly embraced Western ideas and technology. Traditional systems tied to the old order were often viewed as outdated.
Major changes followed:
- the samurai class lost its privileged role
- carrying swords publicly became illegal
- many traditional schools struggled financially and socially
In this environment, reformers modernized martial practice. New systems that aligned with education, public standards, and safer training gained momentum—eventually shifting national attention away from many older jujitsu schools.
Key Takeaway
Japanese history explains why jujitsu looks the way it does:
- war created martial schools
- peace shifted emphasis to civilian self-defense
- modernization forced older traditions to adapt or fade
Understanding the eras helps you understand the art.
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