US Association of Martial Arts
Zen Beikoku Bujutsu Kyokai
                 全
米国武術協会
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Vision & Mission
    • Board of Directors
  • Services
    • Training Seminars
  • Join USAMA
    • Individual Membership
    • School Accreditation
  • Student Resources
    • How To Choose A School
    • File A Complaint
  • Blog

USAMA BLOG

Raising the standards of the martial arts

READ BELOW

Say It With Me... J-U-T-S-U

8/6/2016

0 Comments

 
Author: Bret Gordon
Picture
In a previous article entitled "Jujutsu: The 'Best' Unarmed Martial Art, And Hardest To Spell (Part 1)," I discussed the proper romanization of the kanji 柔術 into English is jujutsu. Period. There is no alternate spelling. I know when the arts were first brought over from Japan, numerous other spellings were used. However, they all ignore the Hepburn system of romanization used to properly translate kanji into English. If you are teaching a Japanese-based system and use anything other than jujutsu or even just the suffix jutsu, please just stop it! Progression is our friend, and we should all be striving to do things properly. I understand that is how your instructor wrote it and you do not want to be disrespectful. But there is nothing wrong with updating the spelling of an art so that everything is translated properly. Now in the case of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, that's another matter.
Picture
When you translate 柔術 into Portuguese, the native language of Brazil, then the proper spelling would be jiu jitsu. But at that point, if we're spelling it in Portuguese the name of the art should be Brasileiro Jiu Jitsu. We don't say "The Great Eastern School for the Gentle Art of Harmonious Energy" or even "The Great Eastern School of Aiki Jujutsu," we say Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu. It only makes sense if you're going to use the language of the origin of the art, you wouldn't bastardize it. It's a respect thing, and as a community built upon respect, this should seem like a no brainer. From now on, when referring to BJJ I will always spell it Brasileiro Jiu Jitsu. 

So with all of this drama, what exactly is the Hepburn romanization system? The Hepburn romanization system is named after James Curtis Hepburn who used the system in his third edition of his Japanese-to-English dictionary, published in 1887. The revised edition by Romaji-Hirome-Kai in 1908 is called "standard style romanization" and is currently used in Japan as well as the Hepburn system. It is the standard by which we translate anything written in kanji to English. By following the Hepburn and standard style romanization systems, both clearly define the proper English spelling of 柔術 is jujutsu. End of story. 

Now, in the real world, we are arguing over semantics and the attacker shoving a gun in your face doesn't care how you spell it. The most important thing is that we train, and train hard. Everything else is just a pet peeve, and probably my OCD seeping through the cracks. That being said, I can't understand not wanting to present yourself in the most accurate manner possible. Written language is one of the things separating us from the animal kingdom and just like with poor grammar, if you write to me using improper spelling I will immediately begin to discredit everything you've just said. Sorry.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Enjoy Our Articles?

    In an effort to share information, each year we publish a book containing all of the articles written that year. This book is an excellent supplemental training tool for the beginner and master alike! To order the most recent volume, click the image below. For previous years, please contact our headquarters.
    Picture
    Articles of 2016

    Archives

    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    Categories

    All
    Associations
    Business
    Etiquette
    Healing Arts
    History
    Instructor Spotlight
    Interviews
    Martial Arts Principles
    McDojos
    Questions For Our Readers
    Rank
    Self Defense
    Sport Karate
    Weaponry

    Sponsored By

    Picture
    www.TrioMartialArts.com
    Picture
    www.AmericanYoshinkan.com
    Picture
    www.AmericanJidokwan.com
    Picture
    www.RyukyuTe.weebly.com
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.