Welcome to my podcast series on the origins of Jiu Jitsu and Kempo, addressing some of the myths surrounding the samurai class in the process, as well as talking about some of the other, less famous, inhabitants of feudal Japan.

Part 1:

In the first episode we explore the development of the concept of heresy by two early christian teachers, Valentinus and Irenaeus. We then begin a multi-part series on the origins of Jiu Jitsu and Kempo.

 

Part 2

We continue to explore the origins of Jiu Jitsu and Kempo, covering the role of Kano Jigoro and others at the end of the Nineteenth Century.

 

Part 3

Continuing our examination of the origins of Jiu Jitsu and Kempo, covering the years 1850 to 1963. We also branch out into lots of other areas, including the arrival of Boxing, Xing Yi, Karate and Professional Wrestling in Japan, as well as the modern phenomenon of the Ninjas.

 

Part 4

In part 4 we examine the time period between 1960 and 1980 in Japan, and discuss topics such as martial arts marketing and the different ways in which the Japanese created and promoted a wide range of new martial arts.

 

Part 5

In the final part of the origins of Jiu Jitsu and Kempo we look at the role of the Yakuza in the 80s and 90s, as well as the background to Yukio Mishima’s protest ritual suicide (seppuku).