‘Jutsu’ vs. ‘Do’ in the Martial Arts
In a discussion in the comments section of my last blog post, I stated that anyone who truly embraces an art allows their psychology to be affected by it. I believe this to be true whether it’s Jiu-jitsu or something non-martial like poetry or calligraphy, though it does have to be something that contains a philosophical element. But this is not true of all martial arts. I will use Japanese martial arts for reference.
There are two mentalities toward training in Japanese martial arts, ‘jutsu’ and ‘do’. ‘Jutsu’ refers to combat-oriented arts that are, in theory, practiced for their practical applications, like Jiu-jitsu (aka, Ju-jutsu), Kenjutsu, Karate-jutsu, etc. ‘Do’ refers to arts that are, in theory, practiced for mental and spiritual development, like Aikido, Iaido, Judo, Kendo, Karate-do, etc.
This is not to say that there isn’t cross-over in the two different mentalities. There are ‘do’ martial arts dojos that simultaneously emphasize practical application, just as there ‘jutsu’ schools who also encourage mental and spiritual development. It is more a question of which comes first in the dojo’s teachings.
In my dojo, for example, our primary curriculum is intended to provide students with practical self-defense skills, but as they train in the long run, the mental and spiritual development also come into their training. Conversely, I’ve trained at Aikido schools that emphasize the mental and spiritual practice first in their students’ training, knowing full well that they likely won’t be able to apply it practically in a self-defense context for years.
Whichever way you come at the ‘do’ part of your training, it has a profound effect on your psychology. You develop a heightened sense of awareness, a free-flowing sense of creativity in your practice and, for some, a deeper appreciation for life and your existence within it. And this is what the martial arts have in common with non-martial arts. It does, however, take a very different, yet very interesting form in martial arts, what I think of as “beauty in destruction.” It sure makes for a neat oxy-moron that begs for further exploration and discussion.
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Great post!
Branding something -do or -jitsu doesn't guarantee that it represent (or deliver) exactly what it says.
I like the groundedness and practicality of -jitsu, and the aspiration and spirit of -do. In my view they can and should be taken as two sides of the same coin.
Yes, that's what I think too, and exactly what I try to achieve with my own dojo. 🙂
I always thought a -jutsu art was a classical martial art while -do was a modern art.
As for philosophy, I haven't spent too much time in it. I know "Mutual Benefit and Welfare" is the general philosophy of judo.
I do know that there is a general understanding of not intentionally harming your training partner. I thought this as more of a practical aspect, as if you hurt your training partner, you'll run out of training partners sooner or later. I guess, there's also a deeper meaning to it.
I haven't really spent enough time sampling -jutsu/-do arts to come up with a conclusive opinion in the matter.
But perhaps we're splitting hairs. I really think it might come down to the individual dojo/art/sensei.
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet." Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)
Ice, when it comes to actual training, "it is what is" is really what it all comes down to. That being said, I consider myself to be something of a martial arts scholar and just like understand the histories and philosophies of the various martial arts.
While all 'do' arts were formally established within the past 2 centuries, not all 'jutsu' arts are ancient. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for example was formally established by the Gracies in the early 20th century. And there are many other styles of Jiu-Jitsu that were established in modern times, including my own style, Can-ryu, which was established in Canada in the mid 20th century. That being said, all the 'do' and 'jutsu' arts have ancient roots that date back to medieval japan or even farther back to even more ancient Chinese times. Karate, for example, was originally developed based on techniques brought over to Okinawa by the Chinese.
These 'jutsu' styles chose to be 'jutsu' instead of 'do' because of the original mentality that was intended toward their training, with a stronger emphasis on practical application. But then, like I said before, just because original intent is no guarantee that the intent carried forward over time to every succeeding dojo.
Hi Lori,
Interesting (as always) I always thought the opposite way round with "do" having the mentality looking at the practical combat (& sport)skills, Jitsu as having the more philosophical emotional path.
Although somehow I overlooked Aikido as the obvious prime example of why thats incorrect.
As is often the case though, as you say its not thats taught but how.
Hello Ian, it's nice to hear from you. 🙂 In response to your comment, I should point out the Japanese translation of 'jutsu' an 'do', which I somehow forgot to do in my post.
'Jutsu' means technique, method, or skill. 'Do' on the other hand, means 'way or path,' implying the spiritual spiritual approach. 'Do' is referred to heavily in arts with a Zen influence. In fact, the 'do' in 'dojo' uses the same kanji (character) as the one we're referring to here.
Thanks for explaining the underlying differences in philosophy between the arts.
And speaking of kanji. I never really looked at the kanji that is usually placed in the dojos.
I've been doing the bow in for years, and I've never asked what the two LARGE kanji scrolls beside Kano said. (I'll see if I can find a picture sometime.)
This is quite embarrassing in a way, as after studying my art for many years, I have never thought to ask.
Again, thanks for clarifying things.