Tai-Jitsu

¿What is Tai-Jitsu?

Tai-Jitsu is a dynamic physical activity of combat, structured as a Martial Art and a sport, which requires physical dexterity, technical skills and great mental discipline. From an aggression or in a competition context, technical actions are applied in order to subdue the attacker, achieving his surrender or submission.

Tai-Jitsu, created in Japan, is formed by the diverse empty-hand techniques included in the ancient Martial Arts, developed and used by the Samurai and warriors in Middle age Japan, and transmitted through the generations until our time.

Originally, many of these techniques were created to submit, wound, maim or kill a real opponent in the battlefield. Nowadays, the Tai-Jitsu arsenal is studied and practiced in a safe way, without hurting the opponent.

The technical repertoire of Tai-Jitsu includes all the skills developed by man aimed to self-defence and combat, using only his own body. These specific skills are: skipping, parrying, falling, hitting, joint locking, throwing, taking down, choking, immobilizing…

The techniques corresponding to these skills are founded on simple and basic principles of physics and body mechanics. However, this simplicity hides complexity. Mastering even the simplest Tai-Jitsu technique often requires time, effort and energy, within a physically and mentally demanding training.

The word Tai-Jitsu is formed by two Kanji symbols, 体–Tai, which means “body”, and 術–Jitsu, “art of defense”. Hence Tai-Jitsu means “art of defending with the body”. Thus, no weapons are used in the defensive actions, although they can be applied against armed attacks.

Tai-Jitsu doesn’t only include a self-defence or competition aspect. As a whole, Tai-Jitsu is a system for physical, intellectual and moral development, as well as an integral educational tool. Tai-Jitsu possesses its own culture, traditions, etiquette, technical methodology, didactical pedagogy and training methods.

The Budo spirit and manners are acquired in the tatami and taken to practice in everyday life, in relationships with friends, family, colleagues and even strangers. Tai-Jitsu has an implicit ethical code, a particular way of expressing oneself and facing life.

Practiced by thousands of people, Tai-Jitsu fulfils all the requirements demanded by physical education programs in most countries. It is practised almost all over the world in clubs, gyms, primary and secondary schools, universities, sport centres, etc. Thousands of people have discovered it provides a great personal enrichment as a demanding physical activity, rigorous self-defence system and complete educational sport. This is internationally acknowledged by sport and educational institutions.

The practice of Tai-Jitsu helps people develop basic and fundamental principles of physical prowess, such as strength, flexibility, speed, endurance, agility, dynamics and balance. The active practice of attack and defence situations contributes to develop reaction speed, general coordination and self-confidence. Tai-Jitsu makes its practitioners more efficient and physically stronger and faster.

Tai-Jitsu doesn’t only bring physical benefits; the learning of specific techniques and skills provides a high proficiency in self defence, bringing the ability to efficiently solve a risky situation through the application of the necessary strength, speed and control to prevail, but causing the least possible damage, if any. The basic principles and dynamics to technically control the opponents are learnt, resulting in the development of excellent athletes with a solid physical and technical base.

However, beyond the acquisition of athletic skills, Tai-Jitsu students learn to master their feelings, emotions and impulses. They learn values like perseverance, respect, loyalty and discipline. The training develops excellent social ethics, as well as proper manners and etiquette. Tai-Jitsu practitioners learn to overcome their fears and show bravery and control under pressure. Through competition and a rigorous daily practice they appreciate justice and equity. Through experience, they acquire courtesy, modesty and other important values which contribute to form their personality. This facilitates the development of moral approaches, important in the creation of better persons to live in society.

Tai-Jitsu also provides valuable social skills and favours long, significant bonds among practitioners. Camaraderie and union run deep in Tai-Jitsuka who have shared the hardships and physical/mental strains of training, creating relationships that are often lifelong. Through Tai-Jitsu, people develop friendships and integrate socially almost anywhere in the world. No matter what city they visit in their home countries or abroad, they always feel compelled to visit a club or Dojo, where they are always well received.

Tai-Jitsu is not just a physical activity; it is a universal communication pathway which transcends national borders, cultural frontiers and language differences. In this way, Tai-Jitsu connects peoples, communities and countries, and plays a relevant role not only in our individual lives, but also in our societies.

World Tai-Jitsu Federation