Welcome to the Ju-Jutsu Historical Research Society™ 柔術史学研究会 (JJHRS)!  The purpose of this society is to explore the early technical development and worldwide spread of Ju-Jutsu – particularly during the Meiji Era 明治時代 of Japan (October 23, 1868 through July 30, 1912).  During this period, the practice of Japanese Ju-Jutsu as a Bugei (martial art) was on the decline due to the adoption of Western military technology and tactics.  The art of Ju-Jutsu might have disappeared entirely, if not for the vision and leadership of Dr. Jigoro Kano 星野九門, a great Ju-Jutsu instrcutor, academic educator, and organizational specialist.  Dr. Kano’s Kodokan Judo movement, combined with the rise of the Dai Nippon Butokukai 大日本武徳会 (Greater Japanese Martial Virtues Society), was successful at perserving the traditions of old style Ju-Jutsu, and modernizing the art so that it could be taught and enjoyed throughout the world.  With the current popularity of Ju-Jutsu (in all its various forms – Kodokan Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Russian Sambo, etc.), it is important to remember the pioneers that forged the path for future generations.  Please enjoy reading the historical information contained on this site!

Yours in Bushido,
Travis Boggs
Ju-Jutsu Historical Research Society™, President
Kenukan Budokai, President
Bushidokan Yudanshakai, Chairman of the Board & President
Kenukan Academy, Owner & Chief Instructor
Martial Arts Education Fund, Secretary

Ju-Jutsu Time-Line

1877 Kano Jigoro begins training in Tenjin Shinyo-Ryu Ju-Jutsu 天神真楊流柔術 under the tutelage of Fukuda Hachinosuke 福田八之助 (c.1828–1880)

1880 Upon Fukuda Sensei’s death, Kano received the densho 伝書 (scrolls) of the Fukuta Dojo

1880 Kano Jigoro begins training and assisting at the Tenjin Shinyo-Ryu Ju-Jutsu 天神真楊流柔術 dojo of Iso Masatomo 磯正智 (c.1820–1881)

1881 Upon the death of Iso Sensei, Kano begins studying Kito-Ryu Ju-Jutsu 起倒流柔術 under Iikubo Tsunetoshi 飯久保恒年 (1835–1889)

1882 Founding of the Kodokan 講道館 by Kano Jigoro 星野九門

1883 Implementation of the kyu / dan ranking system and colored sashes at the Kodokan

1883 Original drafting of Kodokan Judo Randori and Shiai rules

1886 Tokyo Police Department Board organizes a Ju-Jutsu competition between the two leading styles, Kodokan Judo and Fusen-Ryu, in order to determine which style to adopt. Led by Yokoyama Sakujiro 横山作次郎 and Saigo Shiro 西郷四郎, the Kodokan won all but one of the matches and that was deemed a draw. With this victory, Kodokan Judo’s reputation as an efficient system of unarmed combat was assured and the style became officially sanctioned by the Japanese government.

1895 Dai Nippon Butokukai 大日本武徳会 (Greater Japanese Martial Virtues Society) established in Kyoto, under the authority of the Minister of Education (Note: 1885 marked the 1,100th year anniversary of the transferring of the Japanese capital to Kyoto (Heian Kyo)

1895 First Butoku Matsuri 武徳祭 (Martial Arts Festival) & Dai Enbu Kai 大演武会 (Competition) held at Heian Shrine 平安神宮 – Kyoto

1895 Dr. Kano Jigoro creates the Gokyo no Waza 五教の技 (42 throwing techniques organized into five sets – fundamental order for teaching nage waza)

1898 Start of Butokuden 武徳殿 construction (Hall of Martial Virtue)

1898 Koto Senmon Gakko 高等専門学校 (Higher Vocation Schools – a.k.a Kosen) begin holding Judo competitions

1899 Butokuden 武徳殿 completed in the northwest of Heihan Shrine

1899 Dr. Kano Jigoro asked by the Butokukai Chairman to produce a draft of standardized Ju-Jutsu competition rules and was appointed chairman of the deliberation committee

1899 4th Annual Butoku Matsuri 武徳祭 & Dai Enbu Kai 大演武会 held at the Butokuden 武徳殿

1900 Dr. Kano Jigoro named Councilor to the Butokukai

1900 Kodokan accepts Butokukai Ju-Jutsu competition rules

1905 Division of the Butokukai formed to train Bu-Jutsu Instructors – called the Bujutsu Kyoin Yoseisho 武術教員養成所を (Martial Arts Teacher Training Institute) – Headquartered at the Butokuden in Kyoto

1906 Butokukai Ju-Jitsu conclave to finalize national Kata standardization – Dai Nippon Butokukai Seitei Ju-Jutsu Kata 大日本武徳会制定柔術形 (Nage no Kata 投の形, Katame no Kata 固の形, & Kime no Kata 極の形)

1907 Butokukai approves Dr. Kano’s proposal to lengthen the judo-gi sleeves (uwagi no sode) and pants (shitagi) – plus, the obi (belt) replaces the sash

1910 Name of the Bujutsu Kyoin Yoseisho 武術教員養成所を (Martial Arts Teacher Training Institute) changed to the Butoku Gakko 武徳学校 (Martial Virtue School)

1912 Name of the Butoku Gakko 武徳学校 changed to the Bu-Jutsu Senmon Gakko 武術専門学校 (Martial Arts Vocational School)

1912 Ju-Jutsu and Ken-Jutsu offered as official elective classes in Japanese middle schools

1914 Koto Senmon Gakko 高等専門学校 (Higher Vocation Schools – a.k.a Kosen) (colleges of technology in Japan that cater for students from age 15 to 20) begin holding an annual event of inter-collegiate competitions called the Kosen Taikai 高專大会

1914 First class of 14 students graduates from the Budo Senmon Gakko

1916 Ju-Jutsu rules changed – dojime (trunk squeeze), kubi gatame (neck locks), ashi garami (leg entanglement) banned

1917 Judo & Kendo become required subjects in Japanese middle schools

1918 Ministry of Education’s School Hygiene Society determined Judo & Kendo suitable for primary schools

1919 Name of the Bu-Jutsu Senmon Gakko 武術専門学校 changed to the Budo Senmon Gakko 武道専門学校 (Martial Way Vocation School)

1919 Butokukai departments of Ju-Jutsu 柔術, Ken-Jutsu 剣術 / Gekken, & Kyu-Jutsu 弓術 change their names to Judo 柔道, Kendo 剣道, & Kyudo 弓道

1920 Gokyo no Waza 五教の技 reduced to 40 throws

1925 Ju-Jutsu / Judo rules changed – Restrictions on transitioning from standing to groundwork and only elbow locks allowed (Note: Kosen Schools allowed to keep internal pre-1925 rules with continued focus on ground grappling)

1939 Martial Arts made mandatory for all primary school students

1946 Butokukai dissolved by the U.S. Occupation G.H.Q.