taijutsu

Taijutsu (体術, Taijutsu? literally "Body Art") is a term for Japanese martial arts techniques that rely solely on body dynamics as opposed to weapons and other devices. 'A truly dynamic, effective and real-life system of self defense and unarmed combat'.

The following description of the intricacies of the art of Taijutsu is taken with permission from the Harukaze Dojo's Website [1]:

" The Japanese term "Taijutsu" is synonymous with the Art of the Ninja. Taijutsu translates as "True technique of the Body." It usually is associated with the Ancient Japanese Empty Hand Techniques practiced by the Ninja and a few other Ancient Martial Ryuha or lineages. The words are easy enough to understand. However, the Art of the Body is not. Notice the name is not "The Art of the Body Parts." It is simply "The Art of the Body." One Completely Unified Body. This concept goes all the way back to the Chinese origins of the Japanese Martial Arts where the Chinese say : "If One Joint Moves, All Nine Joints Move." This is really profound and difficult to understand on the Physical Level. For example, if you tilt your head slightly, just one joint, your neck, will have moved. So, in order to keep your Structural Integrity intact, every other joint in your body will have to shift slightly. If this does not happen, you will lose the Harmony and Balance between your "In" and "Yo" or Yin and Yang. After that, the flow of your Ki or Internal Energy will not be correct and the skill level of your Taijutsu will become much lower. You will have to depend more on local muscle strength and less on whole body power to accomplish your goals. Ki unites your whole body. It is the only one thing that connects the distant parts together. How else can the power from your foot drive your hand? There is no one muscle or even one nerve that travels that whole distance. Yet, with the proper alignment, you can easily feel the power flow from your feet to your finger tips!"


Taijutsu Techniques
Taijutsu techniques may include strikes, kicks, joint locks, throws such as those found in martial arts like jujutsu, judo and karate, etc. While most of its aspects appear external, the student will find many internal aspects as well.

As an example, here's an excerpt from the Bujinkan-Ninpo-Togakure-ryu ninjutsu curriculum:

Taijutsu (body art/movement)
junan taiso (body conditioning)
taihenjutsu (body movement)
ukemi (Receiving the ground safely)
kaiten (rolling)
tobi (leaping)
dakentaijutsu (striking methods)
koppojutsu (bone attacks)
koshijutsu (muscle attacks)
jutaijutsu (grappling methods)
nage (throws)
hajutsu (escapes)
gyakuwaza (locks and controls)
shimewaza (chokes)