In reviewing the development of the Jan de Jong (JDJ) jujutsu grading system, my overall conclusion is that it resembles a 'dog’s breakfast'—a messily organised system that lacks cohesion and clear structure. While I have previously praised the merits of JDJ’s system, especially given the resources and goals he had at the time, the system ultimately suffers from a fragmented design.
That said, there is much to admire in JDJ’s achievement. His grading system was uniquely focused on creating instructors as well as practitioners, a rare emphasis that broadened its educational scope. Yet, the haphazard structure within this system opens ample opportunity for improvement. The grading system is like a raw, unformed lump of clay: it holds potential to be shaped into something more coherent and efficient, producing skilled yudansha (black belts) with greater speed and precision. Alternatively, one can preserve JDJ’s original work, but this approach risks stagnation—clinging to legacy as the ship sinks.
Peter Clarke, one of the few awarded rokudan (sixth dan) by JDJ before his passing, offers an insightful critique that highlights this problem. On his website, Clarke explains his departure from traditional jujutsu schools that amass extensive techniques without a corresponding emphasis on the strategic, real-world application of self-defense in modern society. His critique rings true: in the JDJ grading system, a vast collection of techniques is compiled, but this 'library' of knowledge may not translate to effective self-defense for every practitioner.
Clarke is perhaps the only individual to forge something distinct from JDJ’s system, using it as a springboard for his unique insights and principles. His approach is focused and strategic, the mark of a well-planned system rooted in practical, actionable defense rather than a mere collection of techniques. In contrast, I find myself hindered by analysis paralysis, unable to extract a unified structure from the JDJ grading system due to its disjointed mix of original kyu gradings and Yoseikan influences. Clarke’s ability to develop a cohesive new grading system out of JDJ’s work is commendable.
In sum, the JDJ grading system, while valuable as a repository of techniques and concepts, lacks a focused design. Its greatest value may lie in its potential for re-imagination, allowing dedicated practitioners to shape and refine it into a more organised and purposeful framework for modern martial arts training.
In the upcoming posts, we’ll explore some of the key issues within the JDJ jujutsu grading system. By addressing these challenges, I hope to inspire those who are building upon JDJ’s teachings to consider significant adjustments that will refine and improve upon his foundational work. This examination aims to provide both insight and encouragement for licensed practitioners to reshape the grading system into a more cohesive and effective model.
