Jujitsu: Basic Techniques of the Gentle Art

by George A. Kirby

Describes the basic history, theory, and philosophy of jujitsu, along with an explanation of ki and how it's used. This book outlines the circle theory, the use of ki as an essential element, the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0897500881
• ISBN13: 9780897500883
• Release Date: April 1983
• Publisher: Black Belt Books
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.8" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A good basic guide for those beginning traditional Japanese Jujitsu.

As a lifetime student of the martial arts, including Japanese Jujitsu, Judo and Karate, I found this book very informative as a beginner's guide to the gentle art. George Kirby goes into great detail explaining the basic concepts of jujitsu. This book covers the basic falling and throwing techniques of judo and jujitsu and you have to keep in mind that this text should only be considered an introductory book on jujitsu. If you use this text along with hands-on training in a judo or jujitsu dojo, this book will be of practical value. If you desire to continue your Jujitsu training you may want to purchase the author's other jujitsu books. Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Monadnock Defensive Tactics System, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, PR-24 Police Baton Advanced Techniques, Martial Art Myths, Never Trust a Politician).

Good basic book to start standup jujitsu defense

Informative and effective in teaching basic moves that can be combined to creat other moves.

Great JuJitsu book for beginning and intermediate Jujitsuka

Kirby explains the basic small joint manipulations you would expect in a JuJitsu book along with some throws. I like the techniques because they offer an alternative to utilizing potentially more damaging strikes.I've practiced some of ideas shown in this book in my JuJitsu classes, and they work very well. I recommend that you get a friend to train with so that you can practice these moves; otherwise, you are not as likely to remember them in the event of an altercation.

Primer on Jujitsu for self-defense

If you're looking for ufc style grappling, you may want to look elsewhere. This book features traditional (read "stand-up") jujitsu techniques. I'd recommend Basic Techniques to students of jujitsu (obviously), hapkido, judo, aikido, or sambo. It is a good step by step dictionary of (mostly) standing techniques, clearly photographed and well explained. I don't know how useful this book would be to beginning individuals who don't have a partner with whom to practice, or someone who can guide them through the many nuances of the techniques, which, while subtle, are essential to proper and safe execution. On the other hand, if you do have experience with judo or a grappling art, you should be able to acquire new techniques and/or variations of what you are already practicing, and use this book as a source of new ideas. A last caveat: although blocking, striking and kicking are aspects of jujitsu, these are not covered in Basic Techniques. A hip throw can be a good finish, but blocking/parrying the attack and counterstriking to unbalance the opponent and set up that sweet hip throw may be the difference between failure and success. Don't despair though, just about any hard art can be successfully grafted to these core jujitsu techniques to create countless variations and allow flexibility of response. For price (bang for buck), practicality of techniques, and clarity of both photography and explanations, the book merits five stars.

I feel this book was a good introduction to Jujitsu

While I am not an authority on Jujitsu, or martial art books, I found this to exactly what the title promised. Kirby does a good job explaining the basics of each technique and the pictures are of good quality. The variety of throws shown are simple enough for the beginner to follow and execute if the have a good sense of balance. The techniques for the most part are also very practical for use in a variety of situations.Some of the locks are difficult to see but the book would have to be much larger for those type of pictures to really prove useful. I feel for the person who is interested in learning basic throws and submission locks, this is an excellent starting point.