Martial Art vs Martial Science?

This being my first entry, I would like to look at the word, Jiu-Jitsu (柔術), and try to better understand the meaning/naming of Jiu-Jitsu through a literal dissection of the word.  Let’s start by taking apart the word Jiu-Jitsu (柔術). There are many who like to emphasize the first part of the word Jiu-Jitsu (柔術) when explaining the idea to a new student (Notice I am referring to Jiu-Jitsu as an idea). Although there is great insight and specificity from the first part of the word, it is not going to be the main topic of conversation for today. However, for the sake of knowledge lets take a brief look at the word.

柔 (Jiu), standing on it's own could represent or be translated into these following words: cuddly (material) cushiony/cushy (of a chair) doughy, downy, feathery (like a feather), flexible/fluid/soft (thing), floppy, light (strength), mellow (fruit), spongy, squishy, tender, velvety,  or yielding.   Most of the time people cite smooth, soft, fluid, or flexible as the appropriate translation. Although I feel these words are an appropriate translation, I believe some digging around is required in order to justify an appropriate translation for the first part of the word Jiu-Jitsu. As I mentioned earlier, today I am more interested in digging around to find out an explanation for the second part of the word, Jitsu (術).

Jitsu (術), standing on it's own could represent or be translated into these following words: art, science, technique, skill, magic, means, resources, or trick. Most if not all of the time, people cite art as the appropriate translation. However, I think and feel that we should be cautious about relating to the idea of Jiu-Jitsu as art. I say this because there are socio-cultural implications attached with the word art in western America. As a result, we may misunderstand the idea of Jiu-Jitsu if we neglect to understand the meaning behind the transliteration of the word Jitsu (術). There are a lot of valid reasons to use the term “art,” but other translations are just as appropriate. Instead of being an abstract art, Jiu-Jitsu could be seen as more of a science built around the mechanical principles of the body.

In the same way that some artists would agree with me in thinking that art is somewhat of a definitive science, I think Jiu-Jitsu is built around the same principles. A great comparison can be made through observing the “art of ceramics.” In the “art of ceramics,” different types of clay are used to make ceramics of various “artistic” shapes and  “artistic” sizes. The clay is fired at multiple “artistic” temperatures for a specific “artistic” amount of time to reach a desired “artistic” hardness, and cooled at an “artistic” rate. The ceramic material is glazed by the “artist” only to fire the “artistic” material in the kiln for another chemical reaction to take place and come out as a magnificent “artistic” ceramic display.  Now please go back to the top of the paragraph inserting the word “science/ scientist/ scientific” in place of “art/ artist/ artistic.” It’s the same process, but the idea in your head is no longer the same. We should be aware of the impact we leave with the words we choose to describe the idea of Jiu-Jitsu.

 Clearly, there is meaning in the words we choose to use to translate the idea of Jiu-Jitsu. Understanding the idea of the name Jiu-Jitsu(柔術), should help us lead to a wider understanding of what it is we are actually doing and becoming. Are you a scientist? An artist? A trickster? A magician? A technician? All of the above? What and who are you becoming when you do Jiu-Jitsu?

Eliot Kelly
www.edhbjj.com