Jujutsu Terminology
A visual glossary of essential Jujutsu terminology, with Japanese spellings, simple meanings, school-specific cautions, practice roles, technique families and transmission terms.
Koryu
Japanese Martial Arts
Japanese martial arts encompass classical combat traditions, modern budō, Okinawan karate, weapons practice, grappling, competition, and systems of physical and ethical education.
Shibukawa-ryū Jūjutsu
Shibukawa-ryū Jūjutsu is a classical martial tradition founded by Shibukawa Bangorō Yoshikata, with Sekiguchi-ryū roots and later regional branches.
Takenouchi-ryū
Takenouchi-ryū is a classical Japanese martial tradition founded in 1532, known for kogusoku, grappling, weapons, arresting methods, and rope restraint.
Sekiguchi Shinshin-ryū Jūjutsu
Sekiguchi Shinshin-ryū is an early-Edo jujutsu tradition combining grappling, kogusoku, iai, and swordsmanship through the active principle of jū.
Yōshin-ryū Jūjutsu
Yōshin-ryū is an influential family of early-Edo jujutsu lineages associated with flexible response, atemi, grappling, vital-point knowledge, and kappō.
Yagyū Shingan-ryū
Yagyū Shingan-ryū comprises related classical Japanese martial lineages preserving jujutsu, armoured grappling, body methods, sword, staff, and other weapons.
Kitō-ryū Jūjutsu
Kitō-ryū is a classical Japanese jujutsu tradition known for throwing principles, armour-based kata, and its important influence on Jigoro Kano and Kodokan Judo.
Tenjin Shin’yō-ryū Jūjutsu
Tenjin Shin’yō-ryū is a late-Edo jujutsu tradition combining throws, joint controls, chokes, atemi, and revival methods, and was a major source studied by Jigoro Kano.
Fusen-ryū Jūjutsu
Fusen-ryū is a late-Edo Japanese jujutsu tradition associated with Takeda Motsugai and Mataemon Tanabe, whose ground-fighting successes became part of early Judo history.