Jujutsu is a martial art created by the Japanese military in the 15th century as a system for fighting in wars and real battles. Known as “Japanese Jiu-Jitsu,” the combat system focused on grappling and lethal ground fighting moves. It also included striking and dirty tactics to survive when your life was at risk.
The earliest records of Jujutsu go back to the Nara period. One of the oldest styles was “Shinden Fudo-Ryu” developed around 1130.
Other early forms of Jujutsu were:
- Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu
- Takenouchi-Ryu
The combat system was named “jujutsu,” or “gentle art” because a person does not need to be strong to perform the jujutsu techniques. It is a martial art that allows a smaller person to defeat stronger and bigger opponents.
Jujutsu started to evolve at a high rate during the Edo period. As time passed, other martial arts would evolve from Jujutsu like Judo, Sambo, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
“as a student, you should practice without end.” – Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings
In 1914, Matsuyo Maeda, a well known Judo practitioner (or judoka), made a trip to Brazil. He started training two students, Carlos and Helio Gracie. They would later use Judo as a base to create a system of fighting known as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Carlos and Helio added advanced ground fighting techniques to include chokes, joint locks, and positioning.
The Gracies took what they learned and they improved on it. Jiu jitsu today is a popular competitive sport and martial art that transcends countries and cultures. It is a system of fighting that continues to evolve.
How do we as professionals and organizations evolve and improve?
While Jujutsu was born out of necessity for the Japanese military, one could argue that the physical and mental training of jiu jitsu should be required out of necessity as well.
Leaders and organizations need to know when to push and when to pull. Jiu jitsu is as much about preparation as it is prevention. Fighters try to avoid fights. They know the costs.
The same should be said in the business world.
Do you challenge and train your teams before the crisis arrives? How do you perform under stress?
Are you and your team prepared?
Do you know how to prevent catastrophic losses?
Do you know how to avoid finding yourself in a bad position?
It will shock you to know that we all make mistakes – some more than others.
“These days, the men making their way through the world calling themselves martial artists are generally only teachers of sword techniques.” – Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings
You will want to avoid flashy techniques. The latest technology or app will not save you. Discipline will.
The checklist you downloaded from the internet will not save you. Deep study and understanding will.
If you need to improve your learning as a student, find better teachers.
Real estate and construction are complicated. Consistently evolving and improving are complicated.
At the end of the day, it is up to us to find ways to prepare, train, and improve.
“The journey of a thousand ri proceeds step by step, so think without rushing. Understanding that this is the duty of a warrior, put these practices into action, surpass today what you were yesterday, go beyond those or poor skill tomorrow, and exceed those who are skillful later.” – Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings
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