Jujutsu (from the Japanese 柔術) meaning 'Gentle/Yielding/Compliant Art', is known as the art and science of flexibility. It has a vast array of techniques such as: blocking and deflections (Uke), striking techniques (Atemi Waza): punching (Tsuki) and kicking (Keri), break falls (Ukemi), grappling (Katame Waza), joint locking skills, arresting, breaks and dislocations (Kansetsu Waza), strangles and choking (Shime Waza), holds and pinning (Osae Waza), throws (Nage Waza), counters (Kaeshi Waza), combinations (Kumiawase Waza), and pressure points (Kyusho Waza).

The Art is a pure Classical Japanese Martial Art and can be traced back to the ancient times of Japan, owing most of its glory to the skilful and brave Samurai Warriors who continued upgrading and refining its vast array of scientific techniques in actual combat, and also known for the creation of a unique way of the sword (Iaijutsu / Iaido), The basic principle of the art was to defeat the enemy in any way possible. Gentle is only for the Jujutsu-ka and not for the opponent, that is, with the gentle swift body movement (Tai Sabaki) geared with the brains using the principles of leverage and counters, combined with the knowledge of the body pressure points, using and turning the attacker's own strength and weight.

It is also known as the Mother Art, thus it gave birth to other Japanese Martial Arts namely Judo, Aiki and others. Also the dominant idea behind Jujutsu is constantly 'Shinbu Fusatsu' which means, don't kill, don't break unless really necessary, this suggests rather than killing or wounding, safeguarding life is the most important thing. The aim of practicing technique is not immediately to fight the person attacking, nor to kill him, or knock him out, unless really necessary, but only to defend oneself against attack. All Martial Arts practitioners used to have to master Jujutsu as this was the quintessence of Martial Art's philosophy.

The art covers an infinite number of methods and techniques, empty handed, with weapons, lethal, non lethal and also includes a deep study of the body as a target, body pressure points, with a single empty handed person able to defend himself against more than one person armed or unarmed. The Jujutsu-ka (Jujutsu practitioner) is always looking for the vulnerable open space to attack, and able to immobilize his opponents in any way possible, once the techniques are executed properly.

To date, many Ko-Ryu (old styles/schools) of Jujutsu still exist and this is thanks to the Art surviving battles and not dying out in the battle field. One such school is Takenouchi Ryu which is the oldest one in existence. Different Ryu may have different application of technique, but all are systems of the Gentle Art, thus they all have the same concepts of how to defeat an attacker. This means that all Jujutsu Styles are generally the same Art but may differ slightly in application in different Ryu and lineage.

Some of the Jujutsu Ryu also include Seifukujutsu (adjustment and restoration art) and Kappo (resuscitation system). It was, and still is, strongly believed that one who knows how to cause damage to the body and to life, must also know how to reverse it and preserve life.

Jujutsu is not classified as a competitive sport. When the Art of Jujutsu is changed from its pure original concepts, one cannot claim that he or she still has the Art of Jujutsu. A fine example of this is Judo. When Judo originated from Jujutsu and the main concept of 'Ju' was changed, the suffix 'Jutsu' was dropped and replaced by the suffix 'do'.

Although Jujutsu is mainly an unarmed combat Art, most of the Jujutsu systems include teachings of weaponry Arts such as Bojutsu (Bo - six foot staff), Hojojutsu (cord / rope) and others.