Dakentaijutsu and Jutaijutsu are two terms that are used frequently in the Bujinkan today, but many times they are misinterpreted...

These two terms are usually referred to as "Striking method" (Dakentaijutsu) and "Grappling method" (Jutaijutsu). In the realm of simple answers these definitions hold true, outside of that realm in the world of analytical answers those definitions break down. Dakentaijutsu is a way of dealing with an attack, just as Jutaijutsu is. It doesn't matter what the attack is. This is the first misconception many people have, Dakentaijutsu principles have nothing to do with the attack itself, and neither do the Jutaijutsu principles. The difference in the two is how you deal with the attack, no matter what it is. Let's look at methodology now...

Dakentaijutsu can be explained using the word "overkill." You hit the opponent until he falls down, then you hit him while he's falling, and probably after he's on the ground in front of you also. It is the art of destroying what stands before you using your striking skills. The strikes are used on many occasions to remove the opponent's balance as well. Now here's the problem people have with the definitions, and where those simple one's break down. Dakentaijutsu contains many throws as well! Many of the throws we do are found in our systems of Dakentaijutsu. It's all in the way the throw is done.

Jutaijutsu contains methods of striking, as well as throwing. The biggest point behind the Jutaijutsu method is the uke cannot take proper ukemi. You still hit the opponent, but you let the ground do most of the work for you. Let the damage from the technique come from the uke trying to take ukemi, in which case he rips or breaks whatever joints you are controlling, or let him save those joints and hit the ground hard, breaking or damaging whatever just hit.

To recap, Dakentaijutsu doesn't mean the uke punches or kicks as an attack. It doesn't mean you don't throw him. It means you beat him senseless allowing your body to do most of the work. Jutaijutsu doesn't mean the uke grabs you as an attack. It doesn't mean you don't hit him. It means you throw him in such a manner that ukemi isn't possible, allowing the ground to do most of the work for you. I hope this clears some things up for you...

Jeff Mueller is the Head Instructor at the Bujinkan Musha no Tomodachi Dojo in Bowie, Maryland. He has been training in Ninpo Taijutsu since 1988 and has traveled to Japan to train with Hatsumi Sensei and the other Shihan.