Jiu jitsu is the forerunner of Olympic Judo. It is a practical Japanese martial art with a history going back 2000 years. Whereas judo has switched emphasis to sport, jiu jitsu has retained its traditional self-defence connotations.

The system is built upon rigid courtesy and the traditional hierarchical respect once common to all Japanese martial arts. Mental training is pursued as rigourously as the physical and great emphasis is placed upon awareness and the more esoteric application of mental discipline.

Jiu jitsu techniques, in whatever their form, utilise skill rather than force and selective application rather than strength. They are universally applicable and effective, regardless of the gender or build of the exponent.

Master' Jiu Jitsu is the first generally published handbook on all aspects of this, one of the oldest and most venerated of the martial arts.

The book deals with the origins of jiu jitsu, explaining how it developed from grappling systems used by Japanese warriors to take prisoners.

There is a chapter on training, and a chapter on posture and guard. Then the book looks at different techniques including striking, locking, strangling and throwing.

Goundwork, where one or both partners are on the floor is dealt with and there is a chapter on weapon techniques-dealing with the rice flail, rice grinder handles, sais and quarterstaff.

Finally there is a chapter on 'practical jiu jitsu' which looks at the way jiu jitsu is developing to match modern day requirements.

Robert Clark was born in Liverpool and began training in the martial arts during his early teens. He has trained in a number of martial art disciplines including judo, jiu jitsu, karate and kung fu.

Professor Clark's open-minded approach has brought him into contact with masters of many martial arts including his own, jiu jitsu. At the present time he is an internationally recognised 9th dan and works in association with Munetoshi Inoui. Soke Inoui is the Grand Master of the Hotai Yoshin Ryu, one of Japan's oldest schools of traditional jiu jitsu.

Whereas most teachers of martial art tend to restrict their training to narrow styles, Professor Clark's training method has embraced the whole spectrum of jiu jitsu, and as such he was uniquely qualified to co-found the World Jiu Jitsu Federation. He now travels the world as chief grading examiner, ensuring a uniform development of jiu jitsu on a world-wide basis.

Professor Clark is a full-time instructor of jiu jitsu with many clubs established throughout Britain and a membership in excess of 11,000.

Masters' Jiu Jitsu is the book all practitioners of jiu jitsu have been waiting for, this is the definitive jiu jitsu text produced by the internationally famous Grand Master, Robert Clark.

The book represents the best of the many styles of jiu jitsu, and Professor Clark has selected those which he regards as most effective.

Contents

Introduction
The origins of jiu jitsu
Weapons used in jiu jitsu
The philosophy of jiu jitsu
Preparing for training
An introduction to effective techniques
Working from close range
Mid-range techniques
Ground work techniques
Jiu jitsu and self defence
Concerning safety
Joining a good club
Glossary
Index