'What Is Jiu Jitsu? The Martial Arts And How To Understand Them' is a book that considers first and foremost the Japanese feudal discipline of Jiu Jitsu, its life and lineage. From linguistics to its relationships with the martial arts of its immediate family, the offspring of that family and their characteristics are all regarded. The forces that shaped these martial arts are identified in an attempt to create a perspective of the parent discipline itself and the distance it has traveled to reach its present state. It is placed in historical context and considered for its role in the life of the Samurai, the eras that changed it, until finally its role today in the wider world.
In close conjunction with the exploration of Jiu Jitsu and its survival of the turbulent eras from which it came is also the consideration of other martial practices from other parts of the globe that also survived, as well as those that didn't. The almost inseparable relationship of martial arts and martial sports is assessed, the personages that defined different disciplines and were responsible for some of the later milestones on the martial science landscape. Even the prospective student is provided a few road signs to watch for on the path to study. In the later parts of the work the underlying theory of function for a martial art is simplified to create some small illumination for the processes that govern the operation of the martial sciences. And finally the factors outside the training hall's indoctrination and preparation are given form and name, from anatomical limitations to artificial enhancements and the impact they all have on the performance of a martial art.


Comparative techniques are illustrated in black and white within the book to better serve the goal of contrasting one style of Jiu Jitsu to another, and to provide the reader an idea of what the different martial arts related to Jiu Jitsu look like, and more importantly how their apt to behave. Various diagrams and maps throughout the book help to facilitate the aim of the work, which is to create an insight into Jiu Jitsu and what it is.


D.S. Hopkins has been a practicing martial artist for over twenty years, holding the rank of Shodan, and focusing on Jujutsu primarily, but not exclusively. An aspiring writer of varying genres, a supporter of all that promotes deeper learning, he spends time reading history. He currently works in the Canadian Energy Sector.


Keywords: Martial Art, Jiu Jitsu, Jujitsu, Jujutsu, Grappling, Samurai, Fighting, Combat, MMA, Sport