What was martial arts in Japan like before Jigoro Kano

[These Two Hands]

A lot of the stuff you see in koryu arts, basically.

 

[Ivaylo Ivanov]

A lot of the stuff you see in koryu arts, basically.

Yeah, pretty much.
I tried traditional jujutsu classes in Tokyo, in one of the oldest dojos, out of curiosity.
Restraining moves were good, but when I was handed a polearm to practice with, I decided to walk away

 

[These Two Hands]

I mentioned in a Mayberry thread awhile ago too, but I trained with Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu for a while. Mainly sword stuff, it was great.