Yawara-Jitsu
Encyclopedia
Yawara-Jitsu is a self-defense
-oriented martial art. It derives from the millenary Yawara, or "agility art", from which other schools were born such as Wa-Jitsu, Tai-Jitsu, Kumuishi, or Kempo
.
Concerning Tai jitsu style, it is a form of traditional Japanese unarmed combat common to a plethora of arts utilized throughout mainland Japan's history. Contemporary belief misrepresents it as singularly applicable to the Takamatsuden arts; this is erroneous. Taijutsu is a generic term meaning 'body skills' and thus is not particular to one specific school but is still considered its own form of martial arts.
A specific school named Tai jitsu was transmitted from Japan to France in the middle of the 20th century. This style was a legacy of the Yoseikan Ryu of Minoru Mochizuki before its transmission to Europe. Minoru Mochizuki was one of the disciples that received the permission to teach the Aiki ju jitsu of the Daito Ryu. Different ideologies claim that this European style of Tai jitsu is a French invention or a style of karate, or also a synthesis of karate, aikido and judo. But, after examining some details of its historical transmission, the analysis reveals that this style of Tai jitsu (that is now internationally expended)is a modern form of Aiki ju jitsu karate kempo and is originally a Japanese discipline.
From this style of Tai jitsu that was first transmitted to France (classical Tai jitsu) by Jim Alcheik, different schools emerged: nihon tai jitsu (Roland Hernaez's school), tai jitsu do (Dubois's school) and karate jitsu (a style close to karate techniques), but a classical Tai jitsu style persist. Basically, a classical tai jitsu contain three biomechanical and technical principles: "wa or ai" (concordance or harmony with the opponent), "ju" (flexibility with the opponent assaults) and "ken" (art of the percussions).
Different schools of Tai Jitsu exist in Japan and in many countries.
Talking now about Yawara jitsu, its modern translation is Scientific Personal Defense, and it is registered by its founder, the Great Master Miguel Pérez Carrillo. There is some confusion because the old art of the Yawara was not accompanied by the 'jitsu' suffix. 'Yawara' was used alone, or in the way of 'Yawara Aiki-Jujutsu'. For such, the Japanese school, to avoid confusion, should use the 'jutsu' suffix, which belongs to the traditional schools.
Yawara-Jitsu has a turnoff for the physical and sensorial impaired, called with the Spanish acronym DISFISEN. It is a system with which, apart from making it possible for anyone with any kind of impairment to self-defend, to obtain physical and cognitive gains for the persons belonging to this group.
It selects its defense techniques from several martial arts (Judo
, Karate
, Aikido
, Kung-Fu, Thai boxing, Wrestling
, etc.), according to their proven efficiency. The teaching is adapted to the western mentality, and is refined according to the knowledge on the joint, muscle and nervous behaviour.
Yawara-Jitsu claims to be scientific because it bases its movements in the application of the physical laws that describe the lever mechanics, and its training is based in the conditioning of reflexes. The physical laws allow for the selection of techniques which when applied maximize performance with the minimum effort and the best exploit of the energy of the opponent/s, behavioural conditioning (based on the principles and theories of Pavlov
) guarantees the spontaneousness in a real confrontation. To achieve such a reflex, Yawara-Jitsu is taught in a progressive and rational way, starting with the simplest techniques -attacks face to face with one hand or leg- and laying the basis for the defense in complex situations -several aggressors, and/or armed aggressors-.
, weapon that lends its name to Yawara-Jitsu and which this has taken as main weapon, is of Japanese origin as well as used in other martial arts. Though it may vary in shape, it is basically a small stick, similar to a Kubotan
or pen -though thicker in the centre to achieve a better grip with the hand-, with a rope which ties it to the fingers in order to avoid loss in case of executing an atemi
(stroke) with open hand. The Yawara may be used to stab vital zones (ribs, chest, carotid arteries, temple, legs) reducing the surface causing impact and maximizing the damage and pain produced. As well, it may be used to pressure the body in different points and controlled ways, allowing control by the user and thus reducing the need to cause injuries to the attacker to neutralize him.
He is International Master in Yawara-Jitsu 10th Dan, Master National Trainer of Judo 2nd Dan, Master National Trainer of Jiu-Jitsu 3rd Dan, Black belt in Karate 2nd Dan. He has practiced many martial arts both eastern and western, from Freestyle wrestling
or Sambo
to Fencing
or Boxing
, Kobudo
or Aikido
. He has taught personal defense courses both for civilians -gyms, sport clubs and schools- and the military -national police, local police, security officers and bodyguards-, in regular classes and intensive courses. He retired in 2003.
Enrique Pérez-Carrillo de la Cueva, son of the founder, was promoted Soke-Shihan in 2003. Hes is International Master in Personal Defense and currently holds the highest grade of the system as well as being the head or master of the style. After 40 years of training he has achieved the level of black belt 7th Dan, apart from brown belt in Judo
, Karate
, Taekwondo
, Kenpo-karate and Tai-Jitsu; he is a usual contributor in sport magazines ("Budo Internacional", "El Budoka", "Sport Life", "Budonet-magazine"), technical director of the Spanish Union of Yawara-Jitsu, and head of the Spanish Association of Teachers and Trainers of Personal Defense for the Police. He holds more than 20 years of teaching experience in gyms, sport clubs and schools.
Actually (2009) the federation adds up to a total of 8 international, 3 national, 4 regional and 22 provincial masters. Yawara-Jitsu is practiced in more than 40 clubs, mainly in Andalucía, Madrid, Galicia and Comunidad Murciana. Abroad Spain, it's been introduced in Portugal, Denmark and Canada. As higher graduates it's got 1 Black Belt (BB) 10th Dan, 1 BB 7th Dan, 5 BB 6th Dan, 1 BB 5th Dan, 4 BB 4th Dan, 13 BB 3rd Dan, 27 BB 2nd Dan and 66 BB 1st Dan.
All techniques take into account the alternatives that can truly be carried out in real life, in which the aggressor may not be wearing an outfit suitable enough to unbalance or grab him appropriately, or in which our own mobility is reduced both by our own outfit as for the existence of physical limitations (walls, furniture, more people, irregular or slippery floors).
Yawara-Jitsu also considers the benefits of Shiatsu
, stretching and flexibility to attain a greater potential of attack and defense, as well as to avoid any kind of injury in the training, or for better recovery of suffered injuries Kappo
.
As a martial art recommended for the complete education of a person, Yawara-Jitsu suggest to start its practice from 5 years old, specially knowing that practice programs are adapted for each age. As 60% of practitioners get started as kids, the International Federation has established specific requirements to grant the license as instructor, making a special emphasis in the teaching of values such as comradeship, prudence an self-control, as well as training in a game fashion, more adequate to the acquisition of knowledge by children.
, dagger, short stick, Bō
(long stick)-, be it with one hand or with both (except obviously for the Bo), the use of any object of everyday life as a substitute is encouraged in case of need. In this sense, a pen may be used for a yawara, a folded newspaper or small umbrella as short stick, a table knife as dagger, etc..... Legal implications are also taken into account when recommending the possession or use of a weapon; but it is also considered that in case of being attacked by an armed offender, if you can disarm him and later get the weapon, it would be wise to know how to use it (in our own advantage).
Techniques for using the weapons are incorporated in the katas, as well as defensive moves.
is a set of chained defense and attack movements, carried out against imaginary attackers. They are used as a practice to refine the training and to assimilate the defense techniques. They also help to automate the movements to execute in case of attack. The essential aspects to consider when executing a kata are focusing, strain and Kiai
. The Kiai
is a powerful battle cry generated from within the stomach and which purpose is to surprise the attacker and to give our action a supplementary power (the ki
). In between parts the basic stances are done, which if correctly performed provide the necessary stability to carry out any movement smoothly and with power. The basic stances in Yawara-Jitsu are: horse riding, cat, walking, half walking, attention, closed and crossed legs.
Yawara-Jitsu defines 7 basic katas, one for each grade (except for blue and brown belts, with two each); and 10 high katas, which grow in number as teachers develop a new one when preparing their dissertation for 4th and 5th Dan. High Katas are of yawara, short stick, atemis, ground, bo, defensive, dagger, double short stick, and double dagger. In the high grade katas atemis are predominant, though also throwing, takedowns and joint locks techniques are combined.
Total Combat is run by a main judge, in charge of checking the outfits and correct use of protection, starting and stopping the combat as circumstances require, and cautioning the competitors if rules are disobeyed. Three corner judges are in charge of scoring in both rounds, handling final scores to the main judge which will, at the end of the combat, raise the hand of the wining fighter. The combat may be won by points -the later case-, abandoning -for injuries or after suffering a joint lock or strangling-, superiority or disqualifying.
Once the black belt level is achieved, the program complicates and diversifies to allow the practitioners' progress. The black belt program teaches special techniques (seated, laid down and against a wall), throwings and strangling, and immobilizations; technique chaining; vital points and nerve pressure points; techniques against joint locks; techniques against multiple attackers; use of the yawara, short stick, dagger and bo; and high grade katas. Also, and for a further enrichment of the martial art, it is required to develop new techniques to achieve higher Dans. This method looks after the training of complete martial artists, granting importance to the creativity of the practitioner and to the ability of the system to adapt to the person, and not the other way round.
Self-defense
Self-defense, self-defence or private defense is a countermeasure that involves defending oneself, one's property or the well-being of another from physical harm. The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is available in many...
-oriented martial art. It derives from the millenary Yawara, or "agility art", from which other schools were born such as Wa-Jitsu, Tai-Jitsu, Kumuishi, or Kempo
KEMPO
KEPCO may refer to:* Korea Electric Power Corporation, a South Korean power provider* Kansai Electric Power Company, a Japanese power provider...
.
Concerning Tai jitsu style, it is a form of traditional Japanese unarmed combat common to a plethora of arts utilized throughout mainland Japan's history. Contemporary belief misrepresents it as singularly applicable to the Takamatsuden arts; this is erroneous. Taijutsu is a generic term meaning 'body skills' and thus is not particular to one specific school but is still considered its own form of martial arts.
A specific school named Tai jitsu was transmitted from Japan to France in the middle of the 20th century. This style was a legacy of the Yoseikan Ryu of Minoru Mochizuki before its transmission to Europe. Minoru Mochizuki was one of the disciples that received the permission to teach the Aiki ju jitsu of the Daito Ryu. Different ideologies claim that this European style of Tai jitsu is a French invention or a style of karate, or also a synthesis of karate, aikido and judo. But, after examining some details of its historical transmission, the analysis reveals that this style of Tai jitsu (that is now internationally expended)is a modern form of Aiki ju jitsu karate kempo and is originally a Japanese discipline.
From this style of Tai jitsu that was first transmitted to France (classical Tai jitsu) by Jim Alcheik, different schools emerged: nihon tai jitsu (Roland Hernaez's school), tai jitsu do (Dubois's school) and karate jitsu (a style close to karate techniques), but a classical Tai jitsu style persist. Basically, a classical tai jitsu contain three biomechanical and technical principles: "wa or ai" (concordance or harmony with the opponent), "ju" (flexibility with the opponent assaults) and "ken" (art of the percussions).
Different schools of Tai Jitsu exist in Japan and in many countries.
Talking now about Yawara jitsu, its modern translation is Scientific Personal Defense, and it is registered by its founder, the Great Master Miguel Pérez Carrillo. There is some confusion because the old art of the Yawara was not accompanied by the 'jitsu' suffix. 'Yawara' was used alone, or in the way of 'Yawara Aiki-Jujutsu'. For such, the Japanese school, to avoid confusion, should use the 'jutsu' suffix, which belongs to the traditional schools.
Yawara-Jitsu has a turnoff for the physical and sensorial impaired, called with the Spanish acronym DISFISEN. It is a system with which, apart from making it possible for anyone with any kind of impairment to self-defend, to obtain physical and cognitive gains for the persons belonging to this group.
History and fundamentals
Yawara-Jitsu was born in 1975, after a long period of birth, in the facilities of the Toyama gymnasium in Málaga, as an answer to the need to use different techniques in self-defense to the several attack threats.It selects its defense techniques from several martial arts (Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
, Kung-Fu, Thai boxing, Wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
, etc.), according to their proven efficiency. The teaching is adapted to the western mentality, and is refined according to the knowledge on the joint, muscle and nervous behaviour.
Yawara-Jitsu claims to be scientific because it bases its movements in the application of the physical laws that describe the lever mechanics, and its training is based in the conditioning of reflexes. The physical laws allow for the selection of techniques which when applied maximize performance with the minimum effort and the best exploit of the energy of the opponent/s, behavioural conditioning (based on the principles and theories of Pavlov
Ivan Pavlov
Ivan Petrovich Pavlov was a famous Russian physiologist. Although he made significant contributions to psychology, he was not in fact a psychologist himself but was a mathematician and actually had strong distaste for the field....
) guarantees the spontaneousness in a real confrontation. To achieve such a reflex, Yawara-Jitsu is taught in a progressive and rational way, starting with the simplest techniques -attacks face to face with one hand or leg- and laying the basis for the defense in complex situations -several aggressors, and/or armed aggressors-.
- Uniformity is the traditional in martial arts, made up by a white kimono jacket with the art badges, black trousers and color belt. Badges are shown on:
- chest: two circles representing perfection and the never ending cycle of learning. The inner circle, concentric with the outer one, shows the ideograms "Yawara" and "Jitsu".
- left sleeve: a circle with a capital "B", standing for BudoBudois a Japanese term describing martial arts. In English, it is used almost exclusively in reference to Japanese martial arts.-Etymology:Budō is a compound of the root bu , meaning war or martial; and dō , meaning path or way. Specifically, dō is derived from the Buddhist Sanskrit mārga...
, because the Yawara-Jitsu practitioner may consider himself a budoka. - back: referencing the International Federation of Yawara-Jitsu, which acknowledges the grades gained at international level.
Yawara
The YawaraYawara
The yawara is a Japanese weapon used in various martial arts. It is also the specific weapon of Yawara-Jitsu....
, weapon that lends its name to Yawara-Jitsu and which this has taken as main weapon, is of Japanese origin as well as used in other martial arts. Though it may vary in shape, it is basically a small stick, similar to a Kubotan
Kubotan
The Kubotan self-defense keychain is a close-quarter self-defense weapon developed by Takayuki Kubota. It is essentially a derivation of the stick, usually 5.5 inches long and 0.56 inch in diameter, slightly thicker or the same size as a marker pen...
or pen -though thicker in the centre to achieve a better grip with the hand-, with a rope which ties it to the fingers in order to avoid loss in case of executing an atemi
Atemi
In Japanese martial arts, the term designates blows to the body, as opposed to twisting of joints, strangleholds, holding techniques and throws. Atemi can be delivered by any part of the body to any part of the opponents body. They can be percussive or use 'soft' power. Karate is a typical...
(stroke) with open hand. The Yawara may be used to stab vital zones (ribs, chest, carotid arteries, temple, legs) reducing the surface causing impact and maximizing the damage and pain produced. As well, it may be used to pressure the body in different points and controlled ways, allowing control by the user and thus reducing the need to cause injuries to the attacker to neutralize him.
Soke-Founder and Soke-Shihan
Miguel J. Pérez Carrillo is the Soke-Founder of Yawara-Jitsu. Pioneer of martial arts in Spain, he has dedicated more than 50 years to their practice. Working in the military -General Academy of Zaragoza, VII promotion-, he has a Bachelorate in Physical Education and has written several books on martial arts and physical culture -standing out 'Gymnastics for everyone' (awarded by the Consejo Superior de Deportes), 'Judo for kids' (first book of its kind to be edited in Spanish) or 'Yawara-Jitsu' (sold out; it gathers his knowledge in martial arts).He is International Master in Yawara-Jitsu 10th Dan, Master National Trainer of Judo 2nd Dan, Master National Trainer of Jiu-Jitsu 3rd Dan, Black belt in Karate 2nd Dan. He has practiced many martial arts both eastern and western, from Freestyle wrestling
Freestyle wrestling
Freestyle wrestling is a style of amateur wrestling that is practised throughout the world. Along with Greco-Roman, it is one of the two styles of wrestling contested in the Olympic games. It is, along with track and field, one of the oldest organized sports in history...
or Sambo
Sambo (martial art)
Sambo is a Russian martial art and combat sport. The word "SAMBO" is an acronym for SAMooborona Bez Oruzhiya, which literally translates as "self-defense without weapons". Sambo is relatively modern since its development began in the early 1920s by the Soviet Red Army to improve their hand to hand...
to Fencing
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
or Boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, Kobudo
Okinawan kobudo
Okinawan kobudō is a Japanese term that can be translated as "old martial way of Okinawa"...
or Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
. He has taught personal defense courses both for civilians -gyms, sport clubs and schools- and the military -national police, local police, security officers and bodyguards-, in regular classes and intensive courses. He retired in 2003.
Enrique Pérez-Carrillo de la Cueva, son of the founder, was promoted Soke-Shihan in 2003. Hes is International Master in Personal Defense and currently holds the highest grade of the system as well as being the head or master of the style. After 40 years of training he has achieved the level of black belt 7th Dan, apart from brown belt in Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, Taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
, Kenpo-karate and Tai-Jitsu; he is a usual contributor in sport magazines ("Budo Internacional", "El Budoka", "Sport Life", "Budonet-magazine"), technical director of the Spanish Union of Yawara-Jitsu, and head of the Spanish Association of Teachers and Trainers of Personal Defense for the Police. He holds more than 20 years of teaching experience in gyms, sport clubs and schools.
Actually (2009) the federation adds up to a total of 8 international, 3 national, 4 regional and 22 provincial masters. Yawara-Jitsu is practiced in more than 40 clubs, mainly in Andalucía, Madrid, Galicia and Comunidad Murciana. Abroad Spain, it's been introduced in Portugal, Denmark and Canada. As higher graduates it's got 1 Black Belt (BB) 10th Dan, 1 BB 7th Dan, 5 BB 6th Dan, 1 BB 5th Dan, 4 BB 4th Dan, 13 BB 3rd Dan, 27 BB 2nd Dan and 66 BB 1st Dan.
Basic Techniques
Understood as personal defense, and under the idea that the better way to come out with no harm from an attack is to avoid the attack in the simplest way possible, Yawara-Jitsu accepts as tolerable and even convenient a tactical retreat; always guaranteeing such a retreat is not carried out at the expense of compromising our own chances of defense.All techniques take into account the alternatives that can truly be carried out in real life, in which the aggressor may not be wearing an outfit suitable enough to unbalance or grab him appropriately, or in which our own mobility is reduced both by our own outfit as for the existence of physical limitations (walls, furniture, more people, irregular or slippery floors).
- In actual confrontation, defense is done based in:
- Tai-sabaki. The rotation of the body in perfect balance. It is a circular dodge that void with the rotation the attack of the aggressor, using his force for our own action.
- Joint lockJoint lockA Joint lock is a grappling technique involving manipulation of an opponent's joints in such a way that the joints reach their maximal degree of motion....
s. Grouped in to major groups: on extended arm and on flexed arm. Their importance comes from the fact they are carried out with minimum muscular resistance and for this can be applied with great effectiveness. - Strangulations. Not really manual, but in the way of chokeholdChokeholdA chokehold or choke is a general term for grappling hold that critically reduces or prevents either air or blood from passing through the neck of an opponent. The restriction may be of one or both and depends on the hold used and the reaction of the victim...
. - ThrowsThrow (grappling)A throw is a martial arts term for a grappling technique that involves off-balancing or lifting an opponent, and tossing them to the ground in Japanese martial arts referred to as nage-waza, 投げ技, "throwing technique"...
. Basically the ones used in JudoJudois a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
(with leg, heap and shoulder). - Leg reaps or sweepsSweep (martial arts)A sweep is the name used for two categories of martial arts techniques. From standing, sweeps are throws or takedowns that primarily use the legs to attack an opponent's legs...
. Taken from JudoJudois a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, KarateKarateis a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, Jiu-JitsuBrazilian Jiu-JitsuBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
and Kung-Fu, both with prior grappling or not, static or in movement. - AtemiAtemiIn Japanese martial arts, the term designates blows to the body, as opposed to twisting of joints, strangleholds, holding techniques and throws. Atemi can be delivered by any part of the body to any part of the opponents body. They can be percussive or use 'soft' power. Karate is a typical...
. Defined as a blow to a vital point in the body, the ones used come from KarateKarateis a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, BoxingBoxingBoxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, KempoKEMPOKEPCO may refer to:* Korea Electric Power Corporation, a South Korean power provider* Kansai Electric Power Company, a Japanese power provider...
, Kung-Fu and Thai boxing. - Ground techniques. Comprising techniques from JudoJudois a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, SamboSambo (martial art)Sambo is a Russian martial art and combat sport. The word "SAMBO" is an acronym for SAMooborona Bez Oruzhiya, which literally translates as "self-defense without weapons". Sambo is relatively modern since its development began in the early 1920s by the Soviet Red Army to improve their hand to hand...
, Jiu-JitsuBrazilian Jiu-JitsuBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
and own.
Yawara-Jitsu also considers the benefits of Shiatsu
Shiatsu
Shiatsu is Japanese for "finger pressure;" it is a type of alternative medicine consisting of finger and palm pressure, stretches, and other massage techniques. There is no scientific evidence proving that shiatsu can treat any disease, but shiatsu practitioners promote it as a way to help people...
, stretching and flexibility to attain a greater potential of attack and defense, as well as to avoid any kind of injury in the training, or for better recovery of suffered injuries Kappo
Kappo
are healing techniques that often involve stimulation of specific acupuncture points. Kappo is commonly used in martial arts such as Danzan Ryu and Judo...
.
As a martial art recommended for the complete education of a person, Yawara-Jitsu suggest to start its practice from 5 years old, specially knowing that practice programs are adapted for each age. As 60% of practitioners get started as kids, the International Federation has established specific requirements to grant the license as instructor, making a special emphasis in the teaching of values such as comradeship, prudence an self-control, as well as training in a game fashion, more adequate to the acquisition of knowledge by children.
Weapons
Yawara-Jitsu, as a defense-oriented martial art, uses all available weapons to repel an attack. Whereas in the formal development of the art 'normal' weapons are used -yawaraYawara
The yawara is a Japanese weapon used in various martial arts. It is also the specific weapon of Yawara-Jitsu....
, dagger, short stick, Bō
Bo
-People:*Bo , name origin, plus people with the name*Bo , name origin, plus people with the surname**Bo , Chinese family names*Bo people , extinct minority population in Southern China famous for hanging coffins...
(long stick)-, be it with one hand or with both (except obviously for the Bo), the use of any object of everyday life as a substitute is encouraged in case of need. In this sense, a pen may be used for a yawara, a folded newspaper or small umbrella as short stick, a table knife as dagger, etc..... Legal implications are also taken into account when recommending the possession or use of a weapon; but it is also considered that in case of being attacked by an armed offender, if you can disarm him and later get the weapon, it would be wise to know how to use it (in our own advantage).
Techniques for using the weapons are incorporated in the katas, as well as defensive moves.
Katas
A kataKata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
is a set of chained defense and attack movements, carried out against imaginary attackers. They are used as a practice to refine the training and to assimilate the defense techniques. They also help to automate the movements to execute in case of attack. The essential aspects to consider when executing a kata are focusing, strain and Kiai
Kiai
is a Japanese term used in martial arts. There are numerous examples of the battle cry in other cultures: kiai is perhaps primarily a development of this. In the representation of Asian martial arts in cinema and in animated cartoons, Modern Kiai are often written by westerners in Romaji as...
. The Kiai
Kiai
is a Japanese term used in martial arts. There are numerous examples of the battle cry in other cultures: kiai is perhaps primarily a development of this. In the representation of Asian martial arts in cinema and in animated cartoons, Modern Kiai are often written by westerners in Romaji as...
is a powerful battle cry generated from within the stomach and which purpose is to surprise the attacker and to give our action a supplementary power (the ki
Qi
In traditional Chinese culture, qì is an active principle forming part of any living thing. Qi is frequently translated as life energy, lifeforce, or energy flow. Qi is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts...
). In between parts the basic stances are done, which if correctly performed provide the necessary stability to carry out any movement smoothly and with power. The basic stances in Yawara-Jitsu are: horse riding, cat, walking, half walking, attention, closed and crossed legs.
Yawara-Jitsu defines 7 basic katas, one for each grade (except for blue and brown belts, with two each); and 10 high katas, which grow in number as teachers develop a new one when preparing their dissertation for 4th and 5th Dan. High Katas are of yawara, short stick, atemis, ground, bo, defensive, dagger, double short stick, and double dagger. In the high grade katas atemis are predominant, though also throwing, takedowns and joint locks techniques are combined.
Total Combat
Total Combat in Yawara-Jitsu is a sport modality oriented to allow the practitioner to use his knowledge in a heavy, real and safe way. Its main purpose is to prepare the participant for a possible real attack. It is made up by two three minute rounds, separated by a minute break. In the first round only atemis and takedowns without grappling are allowed. In the second round throwings, takedowns with grappling, joint locks and strangling are also allowed. Total Combat, as all katas and personal defense activities, is carried out in the official outfit. Protections for the first round are: elbow and forearm pads and closed boxing gloves for the upper body; knee and shinbone pads, with 'full-contact' type boots, for the legs. Cups, breastplate and full helmet with transparent visor. For the second round, the helmet is taken away and the gloves are swapped by workout gloves/mitts to allow grappling.Total Combat is run by a main judge, in charge of checking the outfits and correct use of protection, starting and stopping the combat as circumstances require, and cautioning the competitors if rules are disobeyed. Three corner judges are in charge of scoring in both rounds, handling final scores to the main judge which will, at the end of the combat, raise the hand of the wining fighter. The combat may be won by points -the later case-, abandoning -for injuries or after suffering a joint lock or strangling-, superiority or disqualifying.
Grades
The International Federation of Yawara-Jitsu has established a grade system, or belts, representing the level of practice and knowledge of the practitioner. The different basic levels are represented with the white, yellow, orange, green, blue and brown belts. Teaching is in progression, incorporating -in order of introduction- techniques against frontal view, side and back attacks; all standing, kneeling, seated and laying down; bare handed, with dagger, sticks and fire arms. Defense techniques are applied to real situations as grappling the neck, surprise attack on the back, frontal grabbing and rape attempts. Police defense variants focus on controlling the aggressor, thus conforming to laws about behavior of state security forces.Once the black belt level is achieved, the program complicates and diversifies to allow the practitioners' progress. The black belt program teaches special techniques (seated, laid down and against a wall), throwings and strangling, and immobilizations; technique chaining; vital points and nerve pressure points; techniques against joint locks; techniques against multiple attackers; use of the yawara, short stick, dagger and bo; and high grade katas. Also, and for a further enrichment of the martial art, it is required to develop new techniques to achieve higher Dans. This method looks after the training of complete martial artists, granting importance to the creativity of the practitioner and to the ability of the system to adapt to the person, and not the other way round.
Books and Media
- Miguel J. Pérez Carrillo, Yawara-jitsu: manual de defensa contra agresiones armadas con armas blancas de fuego y contundentes, Editorial Alas, 1986, ISBN 84-203-0146-9
- Miguel J. Pérez Carrillo, Yawara Jitsu II - Defensa personal científica, 1993, ISBN 978-84-505-4151-9
- Enrique Pérez Carillo, Yawara Kubotan DVD, ISBN 99-550-2077-6