Do Vs. Ju

[Kosho Gakkusei]

It is my understanding that the difference is that through the study of a -do art you are suppose to derive some greater truth of existence, life, etc. Where as a -jutsu/-jitsu style basically you are learning a skill.

-do is like Tao (or Dao) as in Taoism. -do arts are one way of connecting with the tao or the way of the universe.

Your understanding is incorrect.

The Bushi (Warrior Scholars) of Japan derived much of their "greater truth of existence" from Bushido (the Way of the Warrior). The Bushi studied a great number of Jutsu (Arts). Each weapon practiced was considered an art and had various schools pertaining to it's study as well as various forms of unarmed combat. Fighting in water (swimming) and on horseback was a Jutsu. The crafting of weapons was considered a Jutsu, especially the sword. Strategy was considered an art (Jutsu) as was fortification. Other Jutsu studied by the Bushi included calligraphy, flower arranging, and architecture. All this was part of their path to "greater truth of existence" or Bushido. Those that study modern "jutsu" art forms are still taught the lessons of Bushido. Bushido was engrained into every jutsu.

What an art with the suffix -do does tell you is that it was most likely formed at the end 19th century or later as Japan became modernized. DO arts are now practiced mainly for personal enrichment while JUTSU arts are for preservation of the ancient traditions. That's not to say that DO arts don't preserve traditions and JUTSU doesn't enrich.

As you can see blanket distinctions are not really possible.

An interesting side note: Judo was derived from Jujutsu and Brazillian Jujitsu was derived from the Ne Waza (Ground Tricks) of Judo.

_Don Flatt