Author:
Corey Minatani
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Date Posted: 12:26:37 05/31/04 Mon
The argument deciding the differences between jujutsu, aikijujutsu, and aikido are all semantical. Meaning, the name is the only problem, not the technique. This is a fairly involved answer, and I will try to explain.
All (-do) arts (e.g. aiki-do, ju-do, and karate-do) are modern variants of older warrior arts. The (-do) represents a more peaceful or philosophical way which could be self-defense, but could also mean, character building, self-improvement, harmony between various people, etc. From as early as the late 1800s to 1945 (end of WWII) you see many schools (ryu) switching over to -do methodology rather than a jutsu (technique based) methodology. In the -do methodology one might see an ethics, philosophical, or in the case of aikido, a religious bent to it rather than a jutsu methodology soley for use in combat situations.
Hence, field combat jujutsu is totally useless for urban situations because we don't go against katanas, halberds, attacks on horseback, etc. Likewise, urban self defense is useless in ancient field combat due to opponents wearing armor and such. So, there is one distinction.
Ok, now, Judo, aikido, and aikijujutsu are all derivitives of jujutsu in some way or another. Scholars use the term jujutsu as striking, kicking, throwing, locking, and blocking art. But jujutsu by itself means yeilding technique, but again, the term is so generic, it isn't helpful. Also, there are about 10 or so Japanese equivilent words comparable to the term, jujutsu. (We will cover this in great detail in the aiki online class!) So unless it says something like "x"-ryu jujutsu, you're not going to get anything out of it besides the idea its some sort of martial art. Now, some karate styles derive from jujutsu as well, as did aikijujutsu, judo, and aikido. So to your question that aiki slapped in front describes the methodology is slightly misleading.
Now, each ryu will emphasize and de-emphasize particular techniques and methodologies, as does any martial art today. Judo is a collection of the most common jujutsu systems around during the time, and many of the jujutsu ryu came together to form judo (which became a sport and a -do to for a better use in society than a field combat use). Judo is a relatively safe sport, but before the gathering of systems, jujutsu was on its way out as a form of combat. No one wanted to take massive damage such as broken limbs and such during times of peace.
A side bar is that many of the aikijujutsu schools did not join this conversion into judo for some unknown reason. Probably because aikijujutsu systems in general were more selective in choosing students, and more secretive in teaching the techniques as per Clan tradition. For example, many clans back in the day, fought against each other, and by developing and keeping various techniques secret, the clan could hold an advantage on the battlefield or in the castle for defense.
For aikido was known only as aikido sometime after WWII. Students before WWII were given certificates on Uyeshiba's art as Daito-ryu Aikijutsu, Aikijujutsu, and some got Daito-ryu jujutsu, and some got Uyeshiba jujutsu and aikijutsu. So, typically, there are accounts that the names don't matter too much. But the shift of Uyeshiba emphasizing more fluidity, more circular lines, and less aggressiveness would be more to his liking to emphasize such over the more combat related aikijutsu. Notice I did not say "harder." What ever aiki system one studies, the aiki is always in there, but some schools will teach it at various levels, for instance, aikijujutsu will start with a more combative structure geared to break and popthings out of joint, include striking, etc. But that is the base. All judo and aikido have this base, but depending on the use of the system, will empasize other things. Judo a sport (breaking is bad news when you put a lot of $$ into athletes) and aikido emphasizes less harmful techniques (this is good, because the society doesn't want vigillantes running around, and people can get sued over the use of aggressive force). Aikijutsu teaches the techniques as a whole, the individual, not the style, will dictate when and what technique to use at a particular time.
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