Hapkido
Korean self-defence.
Learn More →JAPANESE MARTIAL ART · AT CMA&F
Japanese JuJutsu Classes in Canberra
Traditional Japanese self-defence – throws, joint-locks, strikes and groundwork. Two classical styles, taught across our Woden and Coombs clubs. Beginners welcome.
WHAT IS JAPANESE JUJUTSU?
The original martial art.
Japanese JuJutsu is one of the oldest martial arts – the close-quarters system Japanese warriors relied on when unarmed. It blends throws, joint-locks, strikes, and groundwork into a complete approach to self-defence. Technical and methodical, it rewards control and timing over size or strength, and it suits all body types. At CMA&F we teach two classical traditions, and beginners are always welcome.
TWO TRADITIONS
Two styles, one program
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Kokusai JuJutsu Ryu
A broad, practical system of traditional Japanese self-defence – throws, locks, strikes and groundwork. Taught at our Woden club.
See the journey🥋
Shin Saito Ryu
A classical school of Japanese JuJutsu with roots going back over 150 years. Taught at our Coombs club.
See the journeyWHAT TO EXPECT
Your first class at CMA&F
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Wear loose clothes
Borrow a uniform after a few visits.
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Class size 12–18
Personal attention from instructors.
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Beginners welcomed
Drills paired with experienced students.
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Belt progression
A clear path through the grades.
YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Meet your JuJutsu teachers
YOUR JOURNEY
Shin Saito Ryu JuJutsu
6
Kyu grades to black belt
As ready
gradings are held
4–7 yrs
with consistent training
Shin Saito Ryu JuJutsu is a complete system – striking, grappling, weapons, and in time, teaching. Progress runs in bands, and each band asks something different of you.
You start here – White Belt
Where everyone begins. There is no separate entry belt for students coming across from another program – everyone starts at White Belt.
Before your first class
- Comfortable clothing, preferably without zips, and no jewellery. There is no uniform required on day one.
- The minimum age to begin training is 16, due to the intensity of the training material and the methods used.
How grading works
- Gradings are held when a suitable number of students are ready. There is no minimum time between grades.
- Four to seven years of consistent training to black belt.
Belt & Rank System
Initial Band – Fundamental Skills
Learning to fall, striking, standing and clinch grappling, off-balancing, footwork, joint locks, body movements, takedowns, escaping grabs, holds and chokes, and various weapons.
Yellow – 6th Kyu (級)Intermediate Band – JuJutsu Skills
Further skills are introduced, along with an academic component: an outside first aid course, an oral history exam, knowledge of the history and syllabus of other martial arts, and an agreed essay. A police clearance and a Working with Children Check are required early in the Kyu grades. Training in another art specialising in either striking or grappling is also required.
Orange – 5th Kyu (級)
Green – 4th Kyu (級)
Blue – 3rd Kyu (級)
Purple – 2nd Kyu (級)
Brown – 1st Kyu (級)
Black – 1st Dan (段)Advanced Band – Teaching & Specialist Skills
Alongside the previous skills, the Kyu system is revised from a teaching perspective, with the fundamentals of adult education delivery and assessment, and the specialist weapons of the school – the long sword, the short sword and the chain.
Black – 2nd Dan (段)Black – 3rd Dan (段)Black – 4th Dan (段)Expert Band – System Development
Alongside the previous skills, the fundamentals of training system design, further academic requirements and various weapons, completing the technical syllabus of the school.
Black – 5th Dan (段)Black – 6th Dan (段)Black – 7th Dan (段)Master Band – Legacy
In this band one works towards a lasting contribution to the art.
Black – 8th Dan (段)There are no stripes, tabs or two-colour belts in this system – each grading moves you to the next full belt.
10
Kyu grades to black belt
As ready
gradings are held
4–5 yrs
with consistent training
A traditional Japanese jujutsu system. The syllabus runs in three bands – Nyumon for beginners, Mudansha for the kyu grades below black belt, and Yudansha for the dan grades.
You start here – White Belt
Where everyone begins. Your first grading is to Jukyu, 10th Kyu – the point where the syllabus formally starts.
Before your first class
- Minimum age 14.
- Wear a t-shirt and tracksuit pants.
- Bring a drink bottle.
How grading works
- Gradings are held when students are ready, in the same way as Shin Saito Ryu JuJutsu. There is no fixed grading calendar.
- Ten kyu grades from your first grading through to black belt.
- Four to five years to black belt with consistent training – twice a week, every week that CMA&F is open during the calendar year.
Belt & Rank System
Beginner – Nyumon
The entry syllabus. Five kyu grades, from your first grading through to green belt.
Jukyu – 10th Kyu (級)
Kukyu – 9th Kyu (級)
Hachikyu – 8th Kyu (級)
Nanakyu – 7th Kyu (級)
Rokukyu – 6th Kyu (級)Intermediate – Mudansha
Mudansha means a student without a dan grade. Five kyu grades, from purple through to brown with two black tips.
Gokyu – 5th Kyu (級)
Yonkyu – 4th Kyu (級)
Sankyu – 3rd Kyu (級)
Nikyu – 2nd Kyu (級)
Ikkyu – 1st Kyu (級)Advanced – Yudansha
Yudansha means a holder of a dan grade. From Shodanho through to Judan, 10th Dan.
Shodanho – Black Belt
Shodan – 1st Dan (段)
Nidan – 2nd Dan (段)
Sandan – 3rd Dan (段)
Yondan – 4th Dan (段) – Sensei
Godan – 5th Dan (段) – Sensei
Rokudan – 6th Dan (段) – Sensei
Nanadan – 7th Dan (段) – Sensei
Hachidan – 8th Dan (段) – Sensei
Kudan – 9th Dan (段) – Sensei
Judan – 10th Dan (段) – ShihanThe white and brown belts carry black tips, marking progress before the next full colour. No other belt in the system is tipped.
