antajissas

Antajissas are a traditional form of Japanese martial arts that originated in the Edo period (1603–1868). The term "antajissa" is derived from the combination of "anta" (meaning "to hold" or "to grasp") and "jissa" (a variant of "jūjutsu," which translates to "gentle art" or "flexible art"). This discipline emphasizes grappling techniques, joint locks, throws, and ground fighting, focusing on practical self-defense rather than striking.

Antajissas is closely related to other Japanese martial arts like judo and aikido, sharing foundational principles such as leverage, balance, and efficiency. Unlike modern judo, which has evolved into a competitive sport, antajissas retains a more utilitarian approach, often incorporating techniques from older schools of jujutsu. It is sometimes referred to as "old-school jujutsu" due to its historical roots and emphasis on real-world applications.

Training in antajissas typically involves randori (sparring), kata (prearranged forms), and self-defense drills. The art places significant importance on natural movement and adaptability, encouraging practitioners to respond intuitively to an attacker’s actions rather than relying on rigid techniques. Many practitioners also study weapons-based jujutsu, as historical antajissas often included training with tools like staffs, swords, or even improvised weapons.

Today, antajissas is less widely practiced than more mainstream martial arts, but it remains a subject of interest among historians, martial artists, and those seeking traditional self-defense systems. Some modern dojos and jujutsu schools incorporate elements of antajissas into their curricula, blending historical techniques with contemporary training methods. Its influence can also be seen in mixed martial arts (MMA), where grappling and ground fighting skills derived from such systems are highly valued.