From Kempo to Ju Jitsu

Purely empty hand systems are largely the product of the Meiji and later eras.
Heian period 794 to 1185
Kamakura period 1185 to 1336
Ashikaga period 1336 to 1603
Edo period 1603 to 1868

In order that this important fact may be seen, and the true nature of empty hand methods is understood, some background as to the relationship between empty hand combat and classical weapons systems is necessary.

The classical warrior had little use for any system of combat that did not use weapons. This was because the opportunity for unarmed combat was rare, not being favoured either by custom or by circumstance. The very rationale and mystique that surrounded the classical warrior revolved around his possession of weapons, and the necessities of the time in which he functioned required him to be well armed and trained in the use of such deadly weaponry.

For the warrior to entertain the thought of success in combat, he could only attack his foe when armed.
The fact that armour was worn influenced the manner in which a warrior would deal with his foe. Mere sparring tactics of a boxing nature, which must rely on the natural parts of the body, hand, fist and foot in delivering atemi blows directed at anatomical weak points. Striking, punching or kicking, proving futile against a heavily armoured warriors and were more likely to injure the attacker than the intended victim.
It was quite natural that close quarter combat should be characterised by grappling methods. The general word describing these methods of combat was Kumi Uchi an expression that suggests the clashing of two combatants at close quarters. However, these methods of grappling included liberal use of atemi strikes as could be delivered.

Teachings contained in the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu A fifteenth century martial tradition from the Kamakaga period, mention a systematic kind of grappling, carried out between persons who may or may not be armed in the style of Katori Shinto Ryu.
The Tachneouchi Ryu, founded in the first half of the sixteenth century, featured a mode of grappling with the warrior clad in minimal armour, consisting of leggings and gauntlets. It was also a method of restraining an assailant, using purely empty handed methods of combat.
Araki Mujinsia (1584-1637) as a youth studied swordsmanship under Yagyu Shinkage Ryu masters. As the eleventh headmaster of the Muso Jikiden Ryu, Mujinsia also studied with Kaganosuke and thereafter founded his own style of combat, which he first called Araki Ryu. Later after adding more weapon and open handed techniques, he retitled it BUDO ARAKI KEMPO RYU. The name suggests a synthesis of various arts of combat, including empty handed combat methods.

A clear-cut shift of emphasis from weapons to empty hand tactics is revealed in the development of the Araki Kempo Ryu system.

Kempo Ju Jitsu
By the late seventeenth century the Budo Araki Kempo Ryu, had adapted itself to the tempo of Tokugawn society. In its dojo the following injunctions were posted.

Kempo is an art of self-preservation
Kempo must lead to the preservation of human life, not the taking of it
Kempo is an art that consists in war and in defeating an enemy

The name Kempo, which may be roughly translated as a method of killing people, possessed many points of resemblance to Ju Jitsu, but was totally different in practice. Being a system of self-defence against sudden attack with intent to kill, repaying in kind the attackers intent.
As a point of deliberation we may remark on the old English term “Kempery men” and the Anglo-Saxon term “Cempa”, both signifying a warrior status, can we see a direct link to the term Kempo. This in itself should be of interest to etymologists and particularly those who follow the late Professor Max Muller in his theory of Indo-Germanic origin of the Anglo-Saxon race.

Kempo of course was a system of attack and defence that branched off from Ju Jitsu, into the path of strenuous endeavour, becoming a more scientific system than Ju Jitsu itself. It was, declared an illegal practice when the sanctity of human life was recognised under the new regime. Another analogous system known as Tori in some parts of Japan and Shime in others was an extension of Kempo in the department of groundwork.

It is more than possible that the locks and holds of Ju Jitsu were developed by the exponents of the Tori system.
I do not wish to imply that the powers to dislocate a joint, break a limb, or even kill an opponent, which were the causes of prohibition of Kempo, do not exist in Ju Jitsu (since all experts are well acquainted with them) but it is advisable to point out that these powers are rarely, if ever, exercised. The locks of Ju Jitsu are so complete in themselves, that the mere threat of damage, which their application implies, is enough to make the most obstinate opponent cry out for mercy. I venture to claim for Kempo that it is not only the finest system of self-defence extant. It is also second to none as a system of physical culture, being unrivalled as a means of developing rapidity of movement and perfect balance.
What does that mean for the practitioner?

 Simply that, it suits everyone both male and female of all ages, strength is unimportant, techniques, once mastered, are the key to self-preservation, allowing the student to become the victor rather than the victim.
Kempo Ju Jitsu is as necessary today as it was in those dark and distant times, we do not have to endure roaming bands of bandits. However, society is degrading rapidly, assaults of all types are common place, no one can be sure that they will not become a statistic of crime. Hence the need for the public to practice an art that provides the answers to so many questions and situations.