The first ju jitsu ryuha (schools) emerged in Japan in the 16th century although the term ju jitsu is not thought to have been used until around 1630. Early forms of ju jitsu originated from kumiuchi, the samurais’ battlefield art of wrestling in light armour with daggers. The samurais’ use of armour on the battlefield made atemiwaza (striking techniques) of limited value and confined to a few unprotected areas. The most appropriate form of unarmed combat under these conditions was a limited form of grappling.

 

During the sengoku period (1467 – 1575) the tõseigusoku or “modern armour” was developed. This innovation allowed for more mobility than the older forms of armour and lead to the development of more sophisticated locking and throwing techniques. With the advent of the relatively peaceful Edo period (1603 – 1867) unarmed or small arms combat techniques became more practical & more necessary with further new forms of grappling focusing on fighting in normal clothing. A new type of martial art had arrived.

 

Over time ju jitsu ceased to be the exclusive hallmark of the warrior class and became available to anyone with the desire and the discipline to learn.