Chin-Na and Jujutsu

Is there anybody who is familiar with the techniques and history of Chinese Chin-Na, who can explain the obvious similarities between it and Japanese Jujutsu? Having had a purely superficial exposure to both arts, the similarities strike me as uncanny, and I wonder if there has been much influence one way or another across the ocean. I realize there is a good deal of chauvinism on both sides, but it seems like an open mind would have to acknowledge quite a few similarities between the two.

There are indeed many similarities. There are also similarities to sambo, etc. Often the emphasis is different, but many of the same basic techniques appear, and the same underlying principles (use of the hips, unbalancing, etc.) are found universally.

My personal theory is that, more than just interchange of techniques between practitioners, there are simply only so many effective ways to throw someone on the ground. If you put a guy's weight on his leg and then take the leg out from under him, he will fall down. You can have many variations on the theme, but once you've discovered the idea, the basic ones all come to light as soon as you play with it. The art and experience is in refining those techniques, applying them tactically against a skilled opponent, and so on. Thus you see the differences in the arts developing, as people produce different counter-techniques, combine different techniques in attack, and devise different rules to use in their competitions.

Cheers,

Don, the number of cultural borrowings by Japan from China are just too numerous to count. Art, architecture, clothing styles, writing, pottery... the list is a mile long. China was the dominant cultural center for centuries when that area of the world was isolated. Japanese chauvanism, and more recently Korean chauvanism, tries to downplay the extent of the cultural borrowing, but it is enormous. Martial arts would definitely have been just one more area where ideas were exchanged, and given its larger population and more dominant culture over such an extended period, China was probably the major contributor.

Victor 'the Victim' Velez

Parallel Evolution.

Peace favor your sword (FSG)

Vikki, that is profound drivel that said nothing. You can get those two neurons on that twitchy brain stem to fire in sequence if you really try. 1. Visit library,2. Read some books, 3. Type reply with good info after self education. Now that is not is not hard is it Twitchy? Maybe you need to bring back Hermie. I think we left him screening halls, malls and stalls. You are bringing out the very worst in me. I quit!