Welcome to the Wanstead JuJitsu Club website.

Yesterday. Ju or Jiu (soft/gentle) Jitsu (art/skill) has a history that can be traced back over 2000 years, although the most famous and respected exponent of the art is undoubtedly the Samurai warrior. During the feudal period in Japan between the 11th and the 19th centuries the Samurai were the fighting elite, using a combination of well rehearsed armed and unarmed combat techniques and an equally disciplined mind. In the later part of this period, and as times became more peaceful, the need for armed combat lessened and the Samurai were eventually banned from carrying weapons. It was during this time that more impetus was placed on developing unarmed combat. Much of the Ju-Jitsu practiced in the world today is from this period and many Japanese martial artists came to Britain to teach.

Today. Ju-Jitsu is linked to the birth of Judo, Aikido, Karate and many other highly regarded styles. Whilst its sporting application has increased due to the popularity of MMA tournaments, in its purest form it remains a means of self-defence and is not intended as a sport. This is simply because certain rules or regulations may detract from the scope of the techniques. The combination of locks, throws, hand strikes and kicks make Ju-Jitsu one of the most street effective. In today's society Ju-Jitsu can perform several functions. Along with the confidence of having self-defence skills, it brings a healthy lifestyle, a positive mental attitude and a certain amount of self-discipline. Ju-Jitsu can become a valuable part of your life.

Tomorrow. The world of Ju-Jitsu is constantly evolving and like the Samurai it must adapt to survive and flourish. Where older techniques may have become redundant over time (the need to kick a man from a horse) many others have become increasingly more important (defence against weapons such as knives). Ju-Jitsu may help with your own future by teaching you to harness your body's own natural energy or Ki (Chi), and can be practised by old and young alike. It’s never too late to start.

It may take many years to master the techniques of Ju-Jitsu but every journey must begin with the first step