Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ or Jits) is one of the fastest-growing martial arts in the world, celebrated for its effectiveness in self-defence and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). However, the art’s evolution from its origins in Japan to what we now know as BJJ is a complex story of cultural exchange, adaptation, and innovation.
The Early Roots: Jiu-Jitsu in Japan (Pre-20th Century)
To understand Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we first need to look at its ancestor, traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu (also spelt jujutsu), a martial art practised by the samurai class for centuries. Jiu-jitsu encompassed a wide array of techniques, including strikes, throws, joint locks, and chokes, that could be used to subdue an opponent. While jiu-jitsu’s effectiveness was proven on the battlefield, it was also dangerous to practise, as many techniques were designed to kill or seriously injure.As Japan entered the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912) and moved away from its feudal past, many traditional martial arts faced extinction. However, martial artists like Jigoro Kano (pictured below) saw the value in preserving aspects of jiu-jitsu while adapting it for a modern, civilian context.
Jigoro Kano’s Revolution: The Birth of Judo (1880s)
Jigoro Kano (1860-1938) was a pivotal figure in the evolution of martial arts in Japan. Kano, who began studying jiu-jitsu as a teenager, wanted to create a martial art that could be practised safely and effectively by anyone, regardless of size or strength. In 1882, he founded Kodokan Judo, a modern martial art that incorporated the best elements of jiu-jitsu but removed many of the dangerous techniques that limited its practice.
Kano’s Judo (meaning “the gentle way”) focused on throws, pins, and submissions, and emphasised the principle of “seiryoku zenyo” (maximum efficiency, minimum effort). This meant using an opponent’s force against them, relying on leverage and timing rather than brute strength. Kano also introduced randori (free sparring), a practice method that allowed students to apply techniques in a live setting, making Judo a more practical martial art.
Interesting Facts About Jigoro Kano:
- Kano’s Judo was a blend of various jiu-jitsu styles he had studied, including Kito-ryu and Tenjin Shinyo-ryu.
- Kano was deeply committed to education and believed Judo should not just develop physical skills but also foster moral and intellectual growth. His concept of “jita kyoei” (mutual welfare and benefit) reflects this belief, which still resonates in BJJ philosophy today.
- He was instrumental in making Judo the first martial art included in the Olympic Games, where it debuted in Tokyo in 1964.
One of Kano’s most important contributions to the spread of martial arts was his decision to send skilled Judoka (Judo practitioners) abroad to teach. Among them was Mitsuyo Maeda (pictured below), whose travels and influence would play a key role in the birth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Mitsuyo Maeda: The Globetrotter and His Jiu-Jitsu (Early 1900s)
Mitsuyo Maeda (1878-1941), also known by his fighting name Count Koma, was one of Jigoro Kano’s most accomplished students. Maeda’s style of Judo was heavily influenced by his experience in Japan’s early “toughman” contests, which pitted fighters of different styles against each other. Maeda excelled in these contests, winning many matches through his mastery of throws and ground fighting techniques. His success in these matches made him a true nomadic warrior, willing to test his skills in any setting.
In the early 20th century, Maeda travelled the world, competing in a variety of combat sports, from professional wrestling to no-holds-barred fights. His travels took him across Europe, the United States, Cuba, and eventually to Brazil in 1914. It was in Brazil that Maeda’s martial journey would lead to the founding of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Interesting Facts About Mitsuyo Maeda:
- Maeda’s fighting career spanned across continents, and he is estimated to have fought in over 2,000 matches. He often challenged opponents from various martial arts backgrounds, making him a pioneer of what we might today call Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
- Maeda’s experience in catch wrestling, a grappling-based combat sport popular in Europe and the United States, helped him refine his ground-fighting techniques, which became a key element of BJJ.
- He settled in Belém, Brazil, where he became involved in the development of a Japanese immigrant colony. His success in Brazil earned him the title “Count Koma.”
It was in Belém where Maeda met Gaston Gracie, a Brazilian diplomat, and his son Carlos Gracie, to whom Maeda began teaching Judo and jiu-jitsu techniques. This would set the stage for the development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The Gracie Family: Innovators of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (1920s-1930s)
Carlos Gracie and his younger brother Hélio Gracie (pictured below) are widely regarded as the founders of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, which would later evolve into what we now know as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Carlos opened his first martial arts academy in 1925, where he taught a style of Judo heavily influenced by Maeda’s teachings. However, it was Hélio, who was smaller and physically frail compared to his older brothers, who would make the most significant contributions to BJJ’s technical development.
Hélio Gracie, unable to rely on strength and athleticism, began to modify the techniques he learned, focusing on leverage, timing, and positional control. This led to the distinctive style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which emphasises ground fighting and submissions as a way for smaller practitioners to overcome larger, stronger opponents.
The Legendary Fight with Kimura (1951): In 1951, Hélio Gracie faced off against Masahiko Kimura, one of Judo’s greatest champions, in a highly publicised match. Although Hélio lost the fight via a shoulder lock (that would come to be called a Kimura lock), the match was a turning point in BJJ history. Kimura’s victory did not diminish Hélio’s reputation—on the contrary, it showcased the resilience of BJJ and its ability to stand against traditional Judo.
Beyond the Gracies: Fadda, França, and Other Lineages (1950s)
While the Gracies are often credited with the development of BJJ, there were other important figures and lineages in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s evolution. Luiz França, another student of Maeda, played a key role in spreading jiu-jitsu to working-class Brazilians. His student, Oswaldo Fadda (pictured below), would become a notable figure in the history of BJJ.
Fadda, who taught jiu-jitsu in Rio de Janeiro’s impoverished suburbs, emphasised the effectiveness of techniques like footlocks, which were largely ignored by the Gracies. In 1955, Fadda issued a famous challenge to the Gracie academy, and his students won several matches, proving that effective jiu-jitsu was not limited to the Gracie family’s interpretation of the art.
Fadda’s victory, and the success of his students, demonstrated that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was evolving through multiple lineages and schools, each contributing to the art’s development.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Goes Global: The UFC Era (1990s)
The defining moment for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s global recognition came with the launch of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993. The event was designed to pit different martial arts against each other in a no-rules format, and Royce Gracie (pictured below), Hélio’s son, was chosen to represent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Royce’s victories over larger, stronger opponents shocked the martial arts world and demonstrated the effectiveness of BJJ in real combat situations. His success sparked a surge of interest in BJJ, particularly in the United States, where martial artists and fighters from various disciplines began flocking to BJJ academies to learn its techniques.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Today: A Global Phenomenon
Today, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is practised by millions of people across the world, from professional fighters to casual hobbyists. The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), founded by Carlos Gracie Jr. (pictured below) in 1994, has become the governing body for BJJ competitions, including the prestigious World Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
In Brazil, BJJ holds a special cultural significance, though it is often viewed as a sport of the working class, particularly in contrast to football, the nation’s most beloved pastime. BJJ champions, many of whom come from humble beginnings, are celebrated as national heroes. At the same time, BJJ retains its strong connection to Vale Tudo (anything goes) fighting, which was the precursor to modern MMA in Brazil.
Conclusion
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s journey from its roots in Japanese Judo to its status as a global martial art is a testament to the power of innovation, adaptation, and resilience. Figures like Jigoro Kano, Mitsuyo Maeda, and the Gracie family laid the foundation for BJJ, while alternative lineages like those of Oswaldo Fadda ensured the art continued to evolve. Today, BJJ thrives worldwide as both a competitive sport and a means of self-defence, embodying the principles of leverage, technique, and efficiency. Its rich history and diverse roots ensure that BJJ remains a dynamic and evolving art, inspiring future generations of practitioners.