Ju-jutsu is a practical self-defence system, which, as can be seen from its history, is one of the oldest unarmed forms in existence. It was used as an unarmed fighting system for the Samurai warriors to enable them to continue fighting should they lose their weapons. Today, in the clubs following this ancient martial art, members follow the various training syllabus, which are based on working together in an attacker/defender relationship from novice to coveted black belt.

The beginner is taught basics as are required in many martial arts, the correct methods of punching, kicking and elbow strikes, how to break a fall after being thrown, how to maintain his or her balance during the execution of techniques and kata to be able to perfect stance, power and style. The novice is taught basic escapes from strangles both front and rear and on through to other types of attack such as punches, kicks and grabs building a firm foundation to move onto more demanding work of the middle and higher grades.

The complex combination of techniques with the Ju-Jutsu syllabus forever makes those who follow its path work harder to understand its flexibility, from the mistake of a novice a more adept exponent may develop a variation to a given technique, which rather that detracting from the syllabus adds to it, and enhances it. It is flexibility of the martial art, which forever interests those who practice it.

The word JU in Ju-Jutsu means soft, supple or gentle, to move with or to bend with. A relaxed physical posture does not mean a relaxed mental one, a ju-jutsu practitioner while being relaxed and calm in body will be aware and alert in mind. Ju-Jitsu is a complete self-defence system, which is both practical in application and enjoyable to learn, its origins go back many hundreds of years and the experience and knowledge learned through those years have made the art what it is today.

What is Bushido? This word alone can easily be defined, but the true meaning is so very profound. A paper like this can only scratch the surface of the topic, for Bushido is interwoven within the very fabric of Japanese history. For a proper understanding one must delve deep into the meaning of Feudalism, Zen, Buddhism, Shintoism, and the teaching of Confucius and Mencius, to name a few!

OK, for the easy part, the word Bushido is made up of three parts Bu-Shi-Do

BU -Military or combat

SHI -Knight or warrior

DO -Way or path

Bushido then literally means Military - Knight - Way or more commonly referred to as the "Way of the warrior".

Bushido is basically a code of moral principles and honour governing the lives and conduct of the noble Knights of Japan (samurai). It was not a written code; at best it consists of a few maxims handed down from mouth or from the pen of some well-known warrior or philosopher. More frequently it was a code unuttered and unwritten, a law etched on the fleshy table of the heart.

The only word we have in our language that's comes close to the mark chivalry, but this does Bushido scant justice.

This code the Samurai followed prescribed a severe etiquette for them. They devoted their lives and spirit to one activity, beyond the level of the ordinary man, transcending considerations of life or death. It was a way of being, of behaving towards one's fellow man, and absolute fidelity to a line of life a lord or master. Which demanded the giving up of the self when necessary.

Bushido assumes no tangible shape or form so it is considered to be the "soul of Japan". This soul is not rigid or fixed, it is a living and breathing entity and because of this life, it has the ability to grow and evolve and at times resurrect itself like a phoenix from the flames to again guide the nation forward. Bushido originated in its elementary from at the time of the Yamato period (400-645) the oldest truly Japanese society- was an unwritten, tact code of behaviour held in the minds and hearts of the military class. In the closing years of the Heian period (794-1185) it evolved into an expression of the morality and spirit of the classical warrior. At this time Bushido was known by the term Kyuba-No-Michi or way of the horse and bow. In the Kokon Chomonshu (a study concerning the Heian period) there are mentioned "seven Cardinal Virtues" of the very simple kind of moral consciousness developed among those fighting men of ancient times. Briefly stated, the seven virtues urged the warrior to shun violence, to keep his sword sheathed, and to live in peace and amity with his fellow men. Later during the Kamakura period (1185-1333) Yoritomo's Bakufu (the first military government) demanded that Loyalty be the supreme virtue especially to Yoritomo the shogun himself. During the following century the country was constant turmoil from the civil wars. The warrior's knights whose duty it was to fight, must have felt keenly the uncertainty of life. For such an attitude is clearly reflected in the way in which he regards the ethics of his privileged class, which were now permeated by a Zen flavour. This gave a trust in fate, a quite submission to the inevitable, that nonchalant composure in sight of danger or calamity, that distain for life and friendliness with death.

In the 1603 the Tokugawa Bakufu appeared, it heralded a period of prolonged peace spanning practically to the 20th century Bushido needed to evolve at this time to fit in this new type of warrior knight who was no longer constantly engaged in warfare. Bushido acquired a complex, highly idealistic from and the major doctrines of the code were committed to writing during this period in many famous works.

The main tents were:

LOYALTY- absolute, both to ones lord and master and in the performance of duty.

RECTITUDE- In the word of a well-known Samurai "rectitude is the power of deciding upon a certain course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering; - to die when it's right to die, to strike when to strike is right".

COURAGE- doing what is morally right with no thought of losing.

BENEVOLENCE- mercy, respect, love understanding, tenderness, pity.

POLITENESS- not simply to show good taste, but a sympathetic regard for the feelings of others, and respect to social positions.

FILIAL PIETY- not only that absolute devotion to the parents but to the family line. Others tents that feature strongly in the code are Veracity, Sincerity, Honesty, Propriety, Valour, Righteousness, Honour and Self-control.

The Japanese were divided into a strict social class system; up there near the top was the noble warrior class who accounted for some 10% of the population (Japan is the only country that could boast a true warrior class.) Bushido during the warring years was mainly a code of conduct for warriors but the peaceful years it grew and developed into a national consciousness. This was achieved from the reputation of the Samurai themselves. The great stories of the Samurai were passed on in theatres, the storyteller's booths, the preacher's dais, the musical recitations, schools and novels. The peasants around the open fires in their huts never tired of repeating the stories of old.

So the Samurai grew in the eyes of the nation to the supreme, unequivocal being of the whole race, their glory became in time an aspiration and inspiration to the population at large. What inspired the nation was the Samurai had achieved but how they had attained it, though the way of the warrior, BUSHIDO. The rest of the nation in order to enable the Samurai had to follow the noble code of righteousness. So, in many ways Bushido filtered down from the social class were it originated as a leaven among the masses, furnishing a moral standard for the whole people.

The code of Bushido is represented in the seven folds of the Hakama (5 at the front and 2 at the rear) and their meanings are:

1. YUKI Courage, Valour, Bravery.

2. JIN Humanity, Charity, Benevolence.

3. GI Justice, Righteousness, Integrity.

4. REI Etiquette, Courtesy, Civility.

5. MAKOTO Sincerity, Honesty, Reality.

6. CHUDGI Loyalty, Fidelity, Devotion.

7. MEIYO Honour, Credit, Glory, Reputation, Dignity.