About Jitsu

Jitsu is a martial art based on the traditional styles of Jiu Jitsu that originated and developed in medieval Japan. The core of the art comprises a system of throws, joint locks and strikes. Based on the principal of using an aggressor’s energy to their own disadvantage, Jitsu skills can be used by men, women and children to counter aggressive situations ranging from unwanted harassment to armed physical assault.

The Grade System

The Jitsu Foundation (TJF) has adopted the common practice of a kyu (coloured belt) grade system as opposed to the traditional white (novice) and black (competent) system. As a result, any instructor visiting a club at which they do not train or teach regularly, can gauge the level of competence of those he or she is about to instruct, and will choose techniques at a level appropriate to the grades present.

Grade Progression

The order of belts is:

• White (Novice or 8th Kyu),
• Yellow (7th Kyu),
• Orange (6th Kyu),
• Green (5th Kyu),
• Purple (4th Kyu),
• Light Blue (3rd Kyu),
• Dark Blue (2nd Kyu),
• Brown (1st Kyu),

Low grades learn the very basic principles of the TJF system. Movement and posture are important early on, as the basic foundation with which to build more advanced techniques later. The jitsuka is taught to defend and disarm against weapon attacks, where appropriate.

Intermediate grades develop the lessons learned earlier and add variations to those techniques.

The more senior students are encouraged to assist in instruction: to attain 4th Kyu or above there are teaching requirements in addition to the technical requirements.

From 1st Kyu and above, jitsuka who are teaching as full Club Instructors ('Acting Primary or Primary Trainer') wear Hakama to denote their instructor rank.

Dan grades

There are 3 dan grades, usually signified by a black belt. These are further subdivided, with the divisions marking an extra teaching qualification, over and above that of Club Instructor. Promotion within the individual Dan grades also requires further involvement in the administrative running of the association, at either a regional or national level. The "base" Dan grades are awarded on a technical skills-based grading, whereas as promotion within a Dan grade is decided by assessment.

• 1st Dan - Shodan
  • Primary Trainer: Black belt, hakama, white Jitsu badge with black writing. Has run a Club for at least 1 year.
  • Senior Primary Trainer: Black belt, hakama, black badge with white writing. Takes an active role in the Region.
• 2nd Dan - Nidan
  • Acting Secondary Tutor: Black belt, hakama, white badge with red writing.
  • National Secondary Tutor: Black belt, hakama, black waistcoat, white badge with red writing. Teaches on a Regional level.
• 3rd Dan - Sandan
  • Acting Tertiary Fellow: No belt, hakama, black waistcoat, red badge with white writing.
  • Tertiary Fellow: No belt, full black over-gi with sleeves, red badge with white writing. Teaches on a National level.

Junior Dans (17 and under) have the white stripe on all belts and can be awarded their hakama on completion of passing a "hakama course" which is held at the Junior Nationals.

All Junior Dan students must have attended their Assistant Instructor, Instructor, Club Instructor, First Aid, and Town club courses held at junior events and there is also a minimum two year gap from junior brown belt to junior black belt. Most junior dans are around 14-18 years of age and have been practising Jitsu for more than 6 or 7 years. Junior Dans are not insured to teach their own Club, an adult Acting Primary or above must be present at all sessions. Juniors Dans must retake their 1st Kyu grading after their 18th birthday and then fulfill the 2 year wait, including 1 year teaching, requirements before they are eligible for Shodan again.