Jujutsu — Insight. Adapt. Subdue.
Shiden'issen Jujutsu is an original and diverse martial discipline. It is a style which focuses on modern-practical self-defense and traditional techniques. Its fighting method consists of throws, immobilizations, grappling and submissions. Jujutsu was a warriors art, practiced by the Samurai of Japan. Over the centuries hundreds of Jujutsu styles evolved. Because of the devastating nature of jujutsu techniques, it was not at all suited to sport competition. In modern times, Jujutsu can refer to a martial art in which all aspects of combat are taught together.
What You Will Learn
Jujutsu is the art of unarmed combat. A great emphasis is placed on maintaining the attackers flow of momentum (which follows from the art's name), in which ju connotes pliability and suppleness. Movements tend to emphasize circularity, and capitalize on an attacker's momentum and openings in order to place a joint in a compromised position or to break balance as preparatory for a take-down or throw.
Ground grappling :: Ne-waza
In SiJ Ne-waza, the object is to pin your opponent and/or place them in a specialized
choke hold or joint lock that forces defeat via submission.
The key to Ne-waza is to use leverage and technique to gain an advantageous
position. A dominant, or top, position allows the jujutsu practitioner, or jujutsuka,
to pin and otherwise control their opponent, and to possibly execute a submission
technique. If locked in a bottom position, the jujutsuka's main concern is to improve
their position by utilizing escapes and reversals. Some submissions do occur from
the bottom, however, and some grapplers actually prefer to attack from this position.
As its practitioners become more advanced, Ne-waza becomes more akin to a chess
match as the opponents strategize from either position by thinking several moves
ahead.
In SiJ, you will train in two forms of grappling: with a gi, and without (no-gi). The
gi form emphasizes grips and submissions which make use of the different parts of
the outfit, such as the lapel and sleeves. The no-gi form stresses body control of
the torso and head, as well as submissions that can be performed with your bare
extremities.
Throwing technique :: Nage-waza
Nage-waza is a major aspect of SiJ that involves the practice of Kuzushi - learning to
use your opponent's own momentum to off-balance and/or lift their body in order to
throw them to the ground. Likewise, you will also practice the art of falling, called
Ukemi, to protect yourself when thrown. Two students adept in both Nage-waza and
Ukemi can alternate throwing and falling with no fear of injury.
A properly executed throw begins with Kuzushi, usually performed with a rotating
motion, and typically ends with the opponent disconnected from the jujutsuka.
Such a throw results in one student on their back and the other balanced on one
or both feet, or even on the knees. Throws of this manner should not be confused
with takedowns, in which both opponents simultaneously fall to the ground.
However, a throw can be followed by a quick transition into a top position, in which
case the person executing the throw does not disconnect from the opponent. Also, certain sacrifice throws can immediately land the thrower in a dominant position.
Live Practice :: Randori
Students actively practice the strategies and techniques of Ne-waza and Nage-waza in a form of free-style sparring called Randori, meaning "free practice." In this setting, students face off against one another in a friendly, controlled competition where the focus is not to win, but rather to test and polish technique in a live situation. Students who can release their egos and simply try to have fun gain the most benefit from Randori.
Standing technique :: Tachi-waza
Since a fight generally starts from a stand-up position, Tachi-waza is the first line
of defense for the SiJ jujutsuka. The goal of Tachi-waza is to close the distance
between you and your opponent by means of either defensive or offensive
techniques, and is typically used to take a single adversary to the ground. Against
multiple opponents, however, dynamic entries and continuous throws would be used
to keep the fight standing.
Due to its encompassing use of body dexterity and martial knowledge, Tachi-waza
is a bit more difficult to learn than Nage-waza and Ne-waza, and can also be more
dangerous to practice. Thus, the techniques involved are introduced to the student
incrementally, and Tachi-waza Randori is either strictly controlled or altogether
avoided until sufficient understanding is attained.
The name
The English translation of the Japanese phrase, Shiden'issen means, a flash of the sword or a flash of lightning. The word Jujutsu means, the gentle art. Indeed Jujutsu technique is anything but gentle! This is actually a Japanese euphemism relating to the philosophy that force should not be met with force, but instead to win in combat you must use the opponent's force against them.
One could say, SiJ is a unique culmination of Japanese Jujutsu, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Aikido. All of which share similar martial principles. Emphasizing not just one martial category (like Grappling), but all three: Stand-up. Throwing. Grappling. However, Maza incorporates a unique approach and style into the divisions of martial techinque - Especially the 'Stand up' portion, or Tachi waza. In which you can see a glimpse of in the SiJ videos.
SiJ brought forth an original name unique to its dojo. In the same fashion different schools of the same / similar art in Japan are called, ryu. Referring to a school of a specific martial discipline unique to that dojo. SiJ needed its unique name to differentiate itself from other styles of Jujutsu.
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SiJ Art of Weaponry
Shiden'issen Jujutsu also offers its companion 'Art of Weaponry' program as a 'subset' of the Jujutsu class. SiJ Art of Weaponry is not a required part of our core curriculum, but does provide students with a useful skillset and an advanced understanding of Jujutsu. This program is a standalone, but ties in directly to the foundations of Jujutsu for those interested.
BENEFITS
Martial Arts of Tucson classes in SiJ offer beginning students a fun workout that both inspires and challenges. Experienced students of asian martial forms can expect to gain new insight and understanding of martial arts, and deepen their appreciation of its historical roots. At a more complex level, it can be considered the study of the strategy and self-defense both large-scale and small, offensive as well as defensive.