BUSHIDO JU-JITSU ACADEMY

JU-JITSU IN MALTA

Ju-Jitsu was introduced in Malta in the early sixties by members of the British Armed forces stationed here. The first two Maltese who started to learn and practice Ju-Jitsu under members of the 41^st Commando Regiment were Sensei Joe Caruana and the late Sensei Tony Tanti.

In the mid-seventies Sensei John Sevasta commenced to train extensively in both Judo and Ju-Jitsu under the late Sensei Tony Tanti at the Zabbar Physical Culture Club and the Zebbug Judo Club. In the eighties He continued his training in Ju-Jitsu under Sensei Roy Grainger 7^th Dan Ju-Jitsu.

THE BUSHIDO JU-JITSU ACADEMY

"By what I did yesterday I win today. This is the virtue of practice"

Hozoin Ryu AD1600

In 1989 after gaining his Shodan, Sensei John Sevasta founded the Bushido Ju-Jitsu Academy after observing that a new style of sports oriented Ju-Jitsu was being introduced in Malta and which was being taught mainly to children.

Sensei John Sevasta commenced to teach Ju-Jitsu as a no-nonsense Martial Art based on its core combat and self-defence qualities. From the beginning emphasis has always been on teaching a few dedicated students rather than a quantity of students most of whom would always be interested on gaining shortcuts to higher grades or wearing flashy badges.

The mission statement of Bushido Ju-Jitsu Academy is "Mutual welfare and benefit through the dedication and practise of Ju-Jitsu as an effective system of Self-defence, combat and self-improvement".

Ju-jutsu is a practical self-defence system, which, as can be seen from its history, is one of the oldest unarmed forms in existence. It was used as an unarmed fighting system for the Samurai warriors to enable them to continue fighting should they lose their weapons. Today, in the clubs following this ancient martial art, members follow the various training syllabus, which are based on working together in an attacker/defender relationship from novice to coveted black belt.

The beginner is taught basics as are required in many martial arts, the correct methods of punching, kicking and elbow strikes, how to break a fall after being thrown, how to maintain his or her balance during the execution of techniques and kata to be able to perfect stance, power and style. The novice is taught basic escapes from strangles both front and rear and on through to other types of attack such as punches, kicks and grabs building a firm foundation to move onto more demanding work of the middle and higher grades.

The complex combination of techniques with the Ju-Jutsu syllabus forever makes those who follow its path work harder to understand its flexibility, from the mistake of a novice a more adept exponent may develop a variation to a given technique, which rather that detracting from the syllabus adds to it, and enhances it. It is flexibility of the martial art, which forever interests those who practice it.

Each student must progress through an extensive syllabus of Ju-Jitsu techniques through which he builds the necessary technical skills before advancing to higher levels. Equal emphasis is placed on all aspects of Ju-Jitsu techniques which are classified into three major categories; Nagewaza(Throwing/grappling techniques), Newaza(Groundwork techniques), and Atemiwaza(Striking and kicking techniques). Each of these categories are subdivided into further subcategories i.e Newaza includes Shimewaza(Strangles and chokes) and Kansetsuwaza(Joint locks). Each student is encouraged to excel in any of the technical systems encompassed by Ju-Jitsu. If a student feels confident and capable with throwing techniques he will develop his combat skills around this aspect of Ju-Jitsu. If another student feels more at ease doing groundwork he will base his fighting strategy on this aspect. Anyone can learn Ju-Jitsu at the Academy, age is not prohibitive, all that is required is that each student understands what Ju-Jitsu is all about and what his needs are. Each student learns and advances at his own pace. There are no shortcuts or magic formulas.

Bushi (Warrior) Philosophies

The training process incorporates four of the traditional Bushi (Warrior) philosophies:

Zanshin (One Heart) which refers to total abandonment into whatever each student is striving to achieve with no thought of failure or success. This state of mind is manifested during Randori practise.

Mu-shin (Empty Mind) means to develop the ability to focus and concentrate wholly on training and learning without any distractions.

Ma-ai (Distance Evaluation) teaches the student the ability to assess the space and distance between him and his aggressor befor the application of any technique.

Kuzushi (Breaking of Balance) teaches the student the key element for the application of Ju-Jitsu techniques as he learns to weaken and break his opponent’s balance in order to overcome him.

The system of grading used at the Bushido Ju-Jitsu Academy consists of the following belts:

	*Shodan*	*Black belt*
	1^st Kyu	*Higher brown*
	2^nd Kyu	*Lower Brown*
	3^rd Kyu	*Green belt*
	4^th Kyu	*Orange belt*
	5^th Kyu	*Yellow belt*
	6^th Kyu	*White belt*

On an advanced level from 2^nd Kyu onwards students are introduced to basic Hanbo and Tanjo techniques from where they progress to Jodo techniques for the Dan grades. Fighting Sticks are the Bushido Ju-Jitsu Academy’s favoured Ko-bo-do weapons.

Aware that today’s aggressors may be versed in other Martial Arts techniques students are taught how to fight and cope with such situations by applying Ju-Jitsu techniques and tactics. Training is carried out with and without the judogi in order to condition the student not to rely only on grips and holds based solely on clothing.

The Bushido Ju-Jitsu Academy is affiliated to the Welsh Goshin Ju-Jitsu Federation, the Malta Judo Ju-Jitsu & Associated Disciplines Federation, the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) and the Tigne Sports Association. The Academy is presently hosted at the Judo Federation HQ in St. Andrews. Training sessions are held every Monday and Thursday from 17.30 till 19.30.

For further information kindly contact:

Mr John Sevasta, 3rd Dan Ju-Jitsu, 2nd Dan Judo,
116 Hobbejza Str, Zejtun ZTN04, Malta
Tel: 21 694 503, Mob: 79903016

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