Japanese jujutsu systems typically place more emphasis on throwing, immobilizing and pinning, joint-locking, and strangling techniques (as compared with other martial arts systems such as karate). Atemi-waza (striking techniques) were seen as less important in most older Japanese systems, since samurai body armor protected against many striking techniques. The Chinese quanfa/ch'uan-fa (kenpo or kung fu) systems focus on punching, striking, and kicking more than jujutsu.
The Japanese systems of hakuda, kenpo, and shubaku display some degree of Chinese influence in their emphasis on atemi-waza. In comparison, systems that derive more directly from Japanese sources show less preference for such techniques. However, a few jujutsu schools likely have some Chinese influence in their development. Jujutsu ryu vary widely in their techniques, and many do include significant numbers of striking techniques, if only as set-ups for their grappling techniques.
In jujutsu, practitioners train in the use of many potentially fatal moves. However, because students mostly train in a non-competitive environment, risk is minimized. Students are taught break falling skills to allow them to safely practice otherwise dangerous throws.
Technical characteristics: Although there is some diversity in the actual look and techniques of the various traditional jujutsu systems, there are significant technical similarities common to all school: For example Brazilian Jiu Jutso is totaly differnt from Japan's version of it.
Students learn traditional jujutsu
primarily by observation and imitation
of the ryu's waza.
The unarmed waza of most schools
emphasize joint-locking techniques, that
is, threatening a joint's integrity by
placing pressure on it in a direction
contrary to its normal function,
aligning it so that muscular strength
cannot be brought to bear, take-down or
throwing techniques, or a combination of
take-downs and joint-locks.
Sometimes atemi (strikes) are targeted
to some vulnerable area of the body;
this is an aspect of kuzushi, the art of
breaking balance as a set-up for a lock,
take-down or throw.
Movements tend to capitalize on an
attacker's momentum and openings in
order to place a joint in a compromised
position or to break their balance as
preparation for a take-down or throw.
The defender's own body is positioned
so as to take optimal advantage of the
attacker's weaknesses while
simultaneously presenting few openings
or weaknesses of its own.
Weapons training was a primary goal of
Samurai training. Koryu (old/classic)
schools typically include the use of
weapons. Weapons might include the roku
shaku bo (six-foot staff), hanbo
(three-foot staff), katana (long sword),
wakizashi or kodachi (short sword),
tanto (knife), or jitte (short one hook
truncheon).
