Today, the systems of unarmed combat that were developed and practiced during the Muromachi period (1333–1573) are referred to collectively as Japanese old-style jujutsu ( Nihon kory jujutsu). Prior to that time, these skills had names such as “short sword grappling” ( kogusoku koshi no mawari), “grappling” ( kumiuchi), “body art” ( taijutsu), “softness” ( yawara), “art of harmony” ( wajutsu, yawarajutsu), “catching hand” ( torite), and even the “way of softness” (as early as 1724, almost two centuries before Kan Jigor founded the modern art of Kodokan Judo). The term jujutsu was not coined until the 17th century, after which time it became a blanket term for a wide variety of grappling-related disciplines and techniques. During the same period the numerous jujutsu schools would challenge each other to duels which became a popular pastime for warriors under a peaceful unified government, from these challenges randori was created to practice without risk of breaking the law and the various styles of each school evolved from combating each other without intention to kill. However towards the 18th century the number of striking techniques was severely reduced as they were considered less effective and exert too much energy instead striking in jujutsu primarily became used as a way to distract your opponent or to unbalance them in lead up to a joint-lock, strangle or throw. This included the development of various striking techniques in jujutsu which expanded upon the limited striking previously found in jujutsu which targeted vital areas above the shoulders such as the eyes, throat and back of the neck. During this new ideology weapons and armor became unused decorative items, so hand to hand combat flourished as a form of self-defense and new techniques were created to adapt to the changing situation of unarmored opponents. In the early 17th century during the Edo period, jujutsu would continue to evolve due to the strict laws which were imposed by the Tokugawa shogunate to reduce war as influenced by the Chinese social philosophy of Neo-Confucianism which was obtained during Hideyoshi’s invasions of Korea and spread throughout Japan via scholars such as Fujiwara Seika. The original forms of jujutsu such as Takenouchi-ry also extensively taught parrying and counterattacking long weapons such as swords or spears via a dagger or other small weapon.
In contrast to the neighbouring nations of China and Okinawa whose martial arts were centered around striking techniques, Japanese hand to hand combat forms focused heavily upon throwing, immobilising, joint-locks and choking as striking techniques were ineffective towards someone wearing armour on the battlefield. Takenouchi combined various Japanese martial arts which were used on the battlefield for close combat in situations where weapons were ineffective. Jujutsu first began during the Sengoku period of the Muromachi period in 1532 and was founded by Takenouchi Hisamori, a military tactician and lord from Mimasaka Province.
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