Johan,
One of the items that I think has been missed in the replies so far has to do with your question regarding a “complete system.” My definition is a “complete system” provides you with the ability address the following conditions (and combinations of these):
- Range—Close, Short, Medium, or Long.
- Response—Nuisance, or violent attack.
- Levels—Individual unarmed, individual armed, multiple attacker unarmed, or multiple attacker armed.
- Flexibility—The ability to move and adjust based on changes in any or all of the above areas.
- Armament—armed or unarmed.
Then I would suggest you establish a good definition of what you are referring to by “jujutsu.” I would define traditional jujutsu in the following way (just my opinion):
Traditional Jujutsu is considered a Japanese cultural art (as are kado, or flower arrangement; chado, or tea ceremony; and shodo, calligraphy). Traditional Jujutsu systems all have documented and verifiable lineages. It is composed of techniques such as joint locking, throwing, sweeping, reaping, choking, and striking with all parts of the body. Weapons' training is also an integral part of Jujutsu, typically, knife, sword, and staff. The essential principle of Jujutsu is to defeat the enemy with any and all means, using minimal force. Force rarely ever meets force directly and techniques should not need to be strong-armed to be effective. Movements emphasize circularity to take advantage of the attacker's momentum to break the opponents balance in preparation for joint locking or throwing techniques.
I would then suggest you also look into the many modern goshin-jutsu systems. Goshin-jutsu, which means self-defense in Japanese, is defined as a modern martial art system based on Japanese jujutsu and or Kempo. These are systems created or founded after the Meiji period (after 1868), frequently they are gendai sogo bujutsu systems or modern composite martial art. These systems have a primary focus on modern day defensive tactics, and less focus on traditional or classical techniques. These are the most frequently encountered systems using the classification “jujutsu,” “jujitsu,” or jiujitsu”—true traditional jujutsu systems are very rare and very hard to come by. These systems tend to be well rounded, and have a curriculum that is geared toward modern street or urban situations.
In closing I do not want to provide a direct response to you inquiry, since my response would only reflect my opinion, and since I do not have enough information available to provide an informed opinion (such as the environment you live in, past training experience, physical condition and build, etc). Instead I have decided to provide information that you can use to form your own opinion.
I hope this is useful.
Last edited by bdenison; 31st January 2002 at 12:56.
Brett Denison
sensei@mizukan.org
http://www.mizukan.org/