Overview of Sho Bushido Ryu
Sho Bushido Ryu Bujutsu is an aiki-jujitsu. It employs joint locks, throws, chokes, nerve attacks and strikes in an effort to control opponents through pain.
There are hundreds, even thousands of styles of jujitsu taught in the United States alone, but a great deal of misinformation regarding jujitsu's original purpose. Let's start out by establishing what Sho Bushido Ryu Bujutsu is NOT.
Some types of jujitsu focus on ground fighting and wrestling. While we do work on the ground, we do not spent most of our time there. Japanese jujitsu was originally developed as a standing art. The Samurai was trained to deal with situations from seated, kneeling and knocked down positions. But since there is much that cannot be done on the ground, particularly versus multiple opponents, the Samurai did not want to be on the ground for long.
In Sho Bushido Ryu, we prefer to get him to the ground (or through a table, into a wall, into another attacker, etc.), and while standing or kneeling, maintain control over him, and watch over the situation. Also, many brands of jujitsu do not devote much time to the techniques of locking, throwing and choking. By contrast, these-and the act of inflicting pain-are the core of our art.
Some types of jujitsu are virtually indistinguishable from judo. Judo was adapted by Jigoro Kano for competition. Judo is a throwing and sweeping grappling art, and while highly effective, does not feature small joint locking. There are some "jujitsu" arts that focus heavily on striking. While striking is a component, it is a small part in comparison to the other elements, and is usually only a means to the end of locking or moving our opponent. While the techniques of jujitsu are similar to those of aikido, our foremost goal is realistic combat rather than self development. Sho Bushido Ryu does share close similarities with pre-World War II aikido, but is drastically different from its popular practice today. In Sho Bushido Ryu, we endeavor to end altercations by controlling the situation. The amount of force necessary is dictated by the force with which the jujitsuka is being attacked.
Jujitsu differs from karate because it is not primarily a striking art. While strikes are utilized in Sho Bushido Ryu to enter in and throw or lock the opponent, strikes are only a means to the end, not the end in and of itself. Strikes do not control a situation or work as well against multiple opponents as do joint locks, throws and chokes. Jujitsu is well suited for rendering larger and stronger opponents harmless.
Sho Bushido Ryu Bujutsu is NOT a competition art.
In the Ultimate Fighting Championship, for example, small joint locks-a core concept of this art-are illegal due to the risk factor. To be sure, Sho Bushido Ryu is a not a competition art, because competition is contrary to its real self defense applications.