About

Ilford Ju-Jitsu was started in April 2007 by Senei John Ward as part of the internationally recognised Kokoro Kai Ju-Jitsu Association. Sensei John had already been learning martial arts for around 20 years and wanted to pass his knowlege onto others.

Ju-Jitsu is the oldest documented form of Japanese martial art. The word ‘Ju’ means gentle, supple or to yield, while ‘Jitsu’ simply means art or skill; thus, Ju-Jitsu is also known as the gentle skill or the art of yielding. It was originally developed as the unarmed combat system of the Samurai (Japanese warriors) to enable them to continue fighting if they lost their weapons; or for situations where weapons were not warranted. Today, contemporary Ju-jitsuka practice a developed syllabi which is based on defence against different types of attacks that can occur in everyday situations. You will learn a variety of skills which include breakfalling, evading, striking, throwing, locking and holding down. Recent years have seen the development of Sport Ju-Jitsu, an exciting format to test the all round skills of the Ju-Jitsuka at both National and International levels.