JIU JITSU (written also ju-jutsu and jiu jitsu), the Japanese method of personal attack and self-defense, literally meaning the art of making one's opponent use his strength to his own disadvantage. There are many methods, but only one is recognized as official, that de vised by Prof. Jiguro Kano, principal of the High Normal School of Tokio, and is taught to every officer and enlisted man of the Japanese army, navy and police departments. Included in the 160 feats of the Kano system are the °serious tricks" by which death may be caused at the will of the adept, and the process of Kuatsu or revivi 'cation, by which the appar ently lifeless victim is restored to the full use of his functional powers. Jiu jitsu is not a system of muscle building by physical training, but rather a means of offsetting the effective ness of powerful muscles, by performing the most skilful yet simple manoeuvres. The United States government has recognized its import ance as science by having it taught at West Point and Annapolis as a special training. It
is a scientific application of the knowledge of the weaker spots in the human anatomy to offense and defense. Such spots as the °funny bone° are utilized to down an adversary; fingers are bent backward; an opponent's on ward rush is utilized to trip him; he is en couraged to uncover an armpit ; he is pressed in the gland below and back of the ear; in short every trick that would be accounted °foul° in wrestling and boxing is the height of excellence in jiu jitsu. The study and prac tice of this art has been recommended to slight men and to women as a protection in case of assault. In professional jiu jitsu bouts the con testants avoid being injured by rapping the floor with hand or foot, and thus acknowledg ing defeat when an adversary has one in a position where he could inflict serious hurt. Consult Skinner, 'Jiu Jitsu' (New York 1904).