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Thus, close quarters grappling skills were essential for both the shogunate law enforcement officers and for warriors, to enable them to overcome an opponent when unarmed or armed only with a "minor" weapon. In fact, there were times when using one's own weapons was either difficult or impossible. A bushi would generally resort to his sword when threatened, but there were some situations in which he was not permitted to use it. One example was in a lord's castle. This was the cause of the events recounted in "Chushingura" (The Story of the 47 Ronin), where Lord Asano draws his short sword within Edo Castle and attempts to cut down Lord Kira for having insulted him. This was a major offense, punishable by death, and his life and domain were therefore forfeit, leading to the famous vendetta.
Another typical use of jujutsu by warriors was when a high-ranking warrior was attacked by one of lower status. In such a case, even if the low-ranked warrior, an ashigaru (foot soldier, the lowest level of bushi) for example, were to attack, say, a general, with a drawn sword, it would have been unseemly for the higher officer to use a weapon against such a common person; thus warriors also needed to be able to control and subdue such opponents in a manner befitting their status.
There are several reasons why Japanese arts developed in this way. First, there was a major change in the conduct of warfare during the Sengoku Jidai compared with that of earlier times. Fighting was typified by large-scale engagements on the battlefield. Bushi, dressed in armor, fought all over the place in a melee situation--not the sort of conditions where striking an enemy with one's fists or feet would be effective. The close quarters tactics of the day called for closing with the enemy, throwing him down, and taking his head.
Another reason for the secondary emphasis on atemiwaza in Japanese systems is the fact that, even when one's opponent is not wearing any sort of protective equipment, it is difficult to defeat (by killing or incapacitating) a trained fighter with one blow; under these circumstances, failure is more likely than success. If your attempt fails, the enemy will use the weapon he carries to cut you down. The most important thing, then, is not to allow him to use his weapon. If it is a sword, then you must be able to control his right hand and prevent him from drawing it, or, if he manages to draw it, you must be able to stop him from using it against you. Commonly seen examples of these kinds of techniques can be seen in Kime no Kata (Forms of Decision) in nukikake (Sword Unsheathing), and kirioroshi (Downward Cut), judo techniques based on the older jujutsu forms of the Tenjin Shinyo-ryu. On the other hand, if you are the one with the sword (or other weapon), you must be able to free yourself from your enemy's grasp, open the distance, and bring an effective counterattack to bear, a tactic that occurs in a number of the techniques in Yagyu Shingan-ryu.
Thus, close quarters grappling skills were essential for both the shogunate law enforcement officers and for warriors, to enable them to overcome an opponent when unarmed or armed only with a "minor" weapon. In fact, there were times when using one's own weapons was either difficult or impossible. A bushi would generally resort to his sword when threatened, but there were some situations in which he was not permitted to use it. One example was in a lord's castle. This was the cause of the events recounted in "Chushingura" (The Story of the 47 Ronin), where Lord Asano draws his short sword within Edo Castle and attempts to cut down Lord Kira for having insulted him. This was a major offense, punishable by death, and his life and domain were therefore forfeit, leading to the famous vendetta.
Another typical use of jujutsu by warriors was when a high-ranking warrior was attacked by one of lower status. In such a case, even if the low-ranked warrior, an ashigaru (foot soldier, the lowest level of bushi) for example, were to attack, say, a general, with a drawn sword, it would have been unseemly for the higher officer to use a weapon against such a common person; thus warriors also needed to be able to control and subdue such opponents in a manner befitting their status.