Nihon Jujutsu is a modern Japanese martial art that focuses on practical, efficient techniques as originally found in both ancient and contemporary martial arts. Its principles and techniques derive from Japanese unarmed combat and self-defense techniques from pre-1945 judo and aikibujutsu, as well as taihojutsu (Japanese police immobilization and arresting methods). The founder of Nihon Jujutsu, Sato Shizuya, established this system based on his extensive studies with leading Japanese budoka (traditional martial artists), many of whom introduced ancient bujutsu methods into modern budo.

The following world-renown Japanese martial artists influenced or directly contributed to the development of Nihon Jujutsu:

• Ueshiba Morihei (1883 – 1969) – the founder of aikibujutsu and aikido
• Mifune Kyuzo (1883 – 1965) – 10th dan Kodokan judo, senior instructor at the Kodokan, and founding member of the International Martial Arts Federation
• Nagaoka Hidekazu (1876 – 1952) – 10th dan Kodokan judo
• Ito Kazuo (1889 – 1974) 8th dan Kodokan judo; Founding Member and First Chief Director, Kokusai Budoin, International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF)
• Kotani Sumiyaki (1903 – 1991) – 10th dan Kodokan judo, Director of the Strategic Air Command’s combatives course at the Kodokan, and one of the Kodokan’s foremost experts on judo kata
• Hosokawa Kusuo (1918 – 1997) – 9th dan judo, taihojutsu instructor of the Strategic Air Command’s combatives course at the Kodokan
• Ishikawa Takahiko (1917 – 2008) - Instructor of the Strategic Air Command’s combatives course at the Kodokan, 2 time All Japan Judo champion, who dedicated thirty years of his life to establishing judo in North America
• Dr. Tomiki Kenji (1900 – 1979) – Founder of the Japan Aikido Association and Shodokan Ryu Aikido (also known as ‘Tomiki ryu aikido’), 8th dan Kodokan judo, 8th dan aikido, chief aikido instructor of the Strategic Air Command’s combatives course at the Kodokan