So you and your friends are are talking about Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. You are confused. Everyone calls it Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, but it doesn’t look so Brazilian to you. First of all the word Jiu-jitsu sounds quite Japanese, doesn’t it? And, it seems that BJJ players (BJJ that’s short for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu,  like showing off their Japanese-looking kimono-like uniforms. They also have coloured belts, like black belts, blue belts and white belts – just like in the very Japanese Karate and Judo. In fact, they might even call some of the techniques by their Japanese names. In some schools, they even have very Japanese-like rituals like bowing towards the teacher and before entering the the matted area. This makes you wonder… Is Brazilian Jiu-jitsu really from Brazil?

(If you really are an absolute newbie, as we all once were, check out our MMA 101 Series: What exactly is BJJ or Brazilian Jiu-jitsu or try out this article: What is the difference between Grappling, Wrestling and Jiu-jitsu.)

There’s a short answer to this and there is a long answer to this. For those interested in the short answer, scroll all the way down.  For those who want to know more, you can read the long answer. Just keep reading.

Here’s the long answer…

The Origins of Japanese Jiu-jitsu

Let’s start way back, a couple of centuries, in Feudal Japan… This was the time of the samurai, the famed warrior class of feudal Japan. During this era, even though Japan had a recognized emperor (in fact, it is traditionally held the first Japanese Emperor ruled in 660BC), central government was weak. Clans and local warlords controlled their own territories. Banditry was rampant. Wars between rival clans and warlords were a fact of life. Their warriors, the samurai, devoted themselves to the art of fighting. Hand to hand fighting was no exception.

Unlike in some other martial arts where the founders can be pinpointed (for example Professor Jigoro Kano (1860–1938) is the founder Judo and Sensei Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) is the founder of Aikido), there is no recognized founder or start of Jiu-jitsu, or at least none that any history books have recorded. Jiu-jitsu is in fact a generic term for a range of martial arts meant for close quarters or unarmed combat. As hand-to-hand combat was an important skill in these turbulent times, Jiu-jitsu spread far and wide. There was no regulatory body governing Jiujitsu. Jiujitsu was just a practical means of fighting. Each school, called a ryū, had its own set of techniques. Instructors would freely incorporate new techniques to what was originally taught. It was recorded that around 17^th century (in the 1600’s) there were over 2,000 Jiu-jitsu schools or  ryū, in Japan.

Despite the wide range of techniques available, mostly of these Jiu-jitsu schools shared some commonalities. First of all, grappling was given primary importance. The samurai often entered the battle fields in armor. Striking with punches and kicks did little to armoured opponents. However, grappling techniques, such as throws, chokes, arms locks, and pinning often worked just as well on armoured opponents as unarmoured opponents. (In fact, even until today, in Judo, a descendant of Jiu-jitsu, there is a form of kata or sets of memorized moves practiced specifically for use in armoured combat called Koshiki-no-kata. Second, most of them also practiced with thick kimonos or gi’s (which simply means “uniforms”) as it was quite practical. At that time kimonos were part of a Japanese person’s daily wear.

These traits of of relying heavily on grappling, and practicing with a thick kimonos or gi’s are traits that both are trademarks of Jiu-jitsu, both Japanese and Brazilian types, today.

The Rise of Gentle Art of Judo

“My style is better than yours” is not just a modern invention. The desire to figure out what the most effective style of martial arts has always played a part in the history of martial arts. This was no different with Jiujitsu styles. One Jiujitsu school however went one to become far more prominent in Japanese society than them all. This was Judo. And, Judo means the “gentle art”.

Why did Judo, this “gentle art”, become so dominant?

Judo was founded by a martial artist by the name of Jigoro Kano. Jigoro Kano was a disciple of the Kito and Tenjinshinyo styles of Jiu-jitsu. It is said that he formally founded Judo in 1882. Some historians say that the genius of his art was realizing that students could practice a lot of Jiu-jitsu techniques safely without injuring each other. In his art he banned the practice of some of the more dangerous techniques, such as eye gouging or throwing someone on his head to break his neck. At this time the Japanese police used to organize Bujitsu (the term that describes the samurai’s military arts) contests to determine which styles of martial arts were really the most effective, among these contests were Jiu-jitsu contests. During these competitions, Judo students often beat practitioners from other Jiu-jitsu styles. Perhaps this was because Judo focused more on “rolling” or just sparring (randori). Perhaps it was because the rules of contest favored the non-injurious style Judo. Whatever the reason, Judo was adopted as Japan’s most favored Jiu-jitsu style.

It has to be understood that at this time while Judo was trying to brand itself as a separate art, in practicality it was one of the many Jiu-jitsu schools. However, throughout the decades it established itself as the most dominant of them all. Professor Kano promoted Judo as a physical exercise and encouraged its development as a national sport – this perhaps was aided by the fact that the Judo founder also taught the Emperor’s children. And he did not only set his eyes on Japan. Jigoro Kano wanted Judo to be know world-wide.

Jiu-jitsu Lands in Brazil

In a confluence of world events literally forced Japan to open its doors to the outside world. In a series of two American naval expeditions led by Commodor Matthew C. Perry in 1853 and 1854, Japan was forced to open its ports to international trade. In awe at the military and technological strength of the steam-powered American gunboats and its then cutting-edge cannons, Japan’s ruling elite realized that unless its inward-looking feudal society realized changed its ways, it would soon be totally conquered.

This incident triggered an event called the Meiji Restoration in October 1868. Under this Meiji Restoration, more powers were consolidated under Japan’s emperor. Japan went through deliberate significant political and economic changes to catch up with the rest of the world. The Japanese elite realized that unless Japan reversed its centuries old policy of self-imposed isolation and reached out beyong its borders, it would remain technologically backward. A renew interest on what was outside Japanese borders was born. Japan increased its contact with other countries by sending scholars overseas to study engineering, steelworking and other industrial sciences. Japan also began fostering diplomatic relations with nations, something it had previously seemed reluctant to do. In 1895, Brazil and Japan signed a “Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation” that dramatically led to both countries becoming closer.

Some attest that a Japanese fighter named Miura arrived in Brazil in 1903 and began teaching his art, but record on who this Japanese fighter really was and where he was from remain obscure. It can be reasonably surmised he was a Jiujitsu practitioner as most fighters were at the era.

In June 1908, a ship from Japan called the Kasato Maru carried 790 Japanese migrants arrived to Brazil. Among one of these was Geo Omori. Geo Omori was a Jiujitsu practitioner and Judo blackbelt. He began teaching his Judo in Rio de Janiero and São Paulo. Among his students were Luiz França on of the primary founders of what is today Brazilian Jiujits, and later on Oswaldo Fadda who spread Juijitsu to the Rio de Janeiro suburbs.

At the time the Kasato Maru landed in Brazil, there was another group of Judo experts who were dispatched by the founder of Judo, Professor Jigoro Kano, to promote Judo around the world. They travelled through different countries giving exhibitions and challenging other martial artists until finally landing in Brazil on November 14, 1914. These envoys of Judo included Soshihiro Satake and Mitsuyo Maeda. These two martial artists taught Luiz França, one of the students of the earlier arriving Geo Omori.

Perhaps most famous in the link between Japan and Brazilian Jiujitsu was Mitsuyo Maeda or “Kondo Koma” or “The Count of Combat”. Aside from teaching Luiz Luiz França, he was known to teach Hélio Gracie and his brothers. The Gracie brothers who would later on play a much bigger role in taking Brazilian Jiujitsu out from Brazil and into the world.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu dominates Vale Tudo

Vale Tudo – a Portuguese word literally meaning “anything goes” can be traced back from free fighting side shows in circuses in Brazil in the 1920’s. As the name implies, it was a full contact sport with very minimal rules. There were in fact two main rules: no biting, no eye gouging. Such a fiesty sport undoubtedly captured the interest of many fans in Brazil.

In these early days of Vale Tudo, several Japanese fighters are recorded to have participated with much success. The connection between Japan and Brazil during these early days remained strong. Geo Omori, for example, one of original Jiujitsu teachers of the Gracie family and Luiz França, who arrived probably aboard the Kasato Maru in 1909, became very popular in Vale Tudo.

Some fights between Japanese fighters and local Brazilian Jiu-jitsu fighters became legendary. Perhaps the most well-known historical Vale Tudo match was a Japanese Judo fighter Masahiko Kimura versus Hélio Gracie on October 23, 1951. While Kimura easily won the fight, some proclaimed the fight a moral victory for Gracie, who fought valiantly throughout the intense 13 minute fight. (Interesting note: The technique which Kimura used to win the fight, the gyaku (reverse) ude-garami became so popular people started referring to just the “Kimura”. Today the shoulder lock kimura ranked as one of the top 10 submission techniques in MMA.)

Vale Tudo was seen to match fighting style versus fighting style. Many Brazilian home-grown fighting arts also gain prominence, such as Luta Livre or “freestyle fighting”, and Capoeira an Afro-Brazilian martial art known for incorporating dance and music. However, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu very often came out on top in these Vale Tudo matches.

In around 1959, a Brazilian TV show Heróis do Ringue meaning “Heroes of the Ring” making Vale Tudo a household name in Brazil. The matchmakers and hosts of the show included members of the Gracie family, including Carlson Gracie and Carley Gracie. However, this show was short-lived. In 1960, when a competitor who refused to surrender to an armlock had his arm broken on national TV. This proved too brutal for audiences at this time so the fight was cancelled. Though the show was cancelled, it gave a long-lasting impression on Brazilian audiences.

In the 1970’s, the older brother of Hélio Gracie migrated to the United States. It was there where the first seeds of BJJ were planted in the US. But Carlos Gracie was to become a part of something that truly catapulted BJJ into the world scene. It all started in Denver, Colorado in 1993.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and the UFC

On November 12, 1993, at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colarado, a relatively obscure martial arts events was held – the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Little known to the people in attendance, and perhaps even to the organizers themselves, this relatively small event would change martial arts history. The UFC was undoubtedly the sporting event that captapulted free fighting (the term MMA was not yet coined at the time), and with it Brazilian Jiujitsu, into the global sport that it is today. But how did it happen, that the UFC which is basically an MMA competition, also bring with the world-wide popularity of Brazilian Jiujitsu?

Today, the UFC is a the world’s top primary MMA events and is know in practically every country of the world. The franchise has become so big that in 2016 when it was sold by its parent company Zuffa to its present owner Wililam Morris Endeavor, it was worth 4.2 billion dollars. The rules of the UFC have also become synonymous for the world standard in MMA. However, this was not always the case.

They early UFC events was meant to be a spectacle, and spectacles they were. While the rules of MMA are considerably safer now than when the sport first started, the first UFC just had two rules: no biting, no eye gouging, just like its precursor Vale Tudo. The UFC was meant to pit martial artist versus martial artists from different fighting styles, in a quest to find the world’s most effective one – a question that has always captured the fancy of martial artists around the world. French Savate clashed with Sumo. Taekwondo was pitted against Shootfighting. Fighting style clashed against fighting style. Some fared well, and some were exposed for their weakness. In the early UFC events, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu fighters very often came out on top.

Enter Royce Gracie. Royce Gracie is the son of Hélio Gracie. This was the same Hélio Gracie was taught by Maeda and the other early Japanese Juijitsu experts that went to Brazil. By this time Hélio Gracie was an old man. But his son Royce was tough as nails. Despite being much smaller and having less physical strength than his opponents, he soundly beat them all, often with much less physical exertion. Royce Gracie ended up being the champion of UFC I, II, and IV, and went on to win many other MMA matches, becoming a martial arts legend in his own right.

This did not escape the attention of martial arts enthusiasts. As UFC skyrocketed into worldwide popularity, BJJ rode on its back. Prior to the UFC, BJJ was still relatively quite unknown outside Brazil. But in a span of merely a decade, everyone was curious about this art. Hundreds if not thousands of avid martial artists flocked to Brazil in the early years to knock on the doors of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioners. And as the demand for teachers of this highly-effective fighting art grew, more and more teachers from Brazil went overseas to spread their art. And as they say, the rest is history.

BJJ now is one of the world’s most popular sports. Any major city in the world is likely to have a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu club. International competitions draw can draw hundreds of competitors. BJJ stars have rockstar status. This highly-effective grappling art that has sprung out from the dojos in Brazil has a tight body lock on the world, and it is continuing to attract followers as the years go by.

Conclusion / Short Answer:

Is Brazilian Jiu-jitsu really from Brazil. Yes it is. Even though Brazilian Jiu-jitsu got its roots from ancient Japan, the Brazilians turned it into an art and sport that is truly their own. Even the basic concepts behind the original Japanese martial art have evolved into something that is unique to the art.

So in short, Japan developed Jiu-jitsu. Judo rose out of prominence to become the most well-know Jiu-jitsu school and branded itself as a separate martial art. Japanese Jiu-jitsu and Judo fighters went to Brazil to teach it. This brand of fighting was adapted by Brazilians and it became their own sytle. This style became popularized around the world through UFC and through Brazilian Jiu-jitsu’s natural effectivity.

While the sport is undeniably Brazilian with Japanese roots, with its deep-reaching international growth, it is becoming a true world sport.