The brazilian jiu jitsu had an impressive rise in the martial arts, gaining millions of fans and sport practitioners all over the world in a matter of decades, while also becoming an indispensable technique in the curriculum of any professional fighter or military force.
But before all this success, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) was born as the solution for a young man’s dream to fight alongside his brothers.
In this article, we will travel to Japan and to the age of samurai to discover how the younger and weaker brother of a warrior family became a legend.
Jiu Jitsu was a samurai’s fight
There are many theories about the roots of Jiu Jitsu. Most of them date back to the ancient times of India and China, and it’s Buddhist monks who often needed to defend themselves without any weapons, against bandits on the dangerous roads of the old world. But all stories agree that the ancestral form of Jiu Jitsu was born in feudal Japan, as one of the many techniques used by the samurai in battle.
According to the story, the warriors would often end up losing their katanas and spears in the heat of battle. In those cases, whoever mastered the most efficient technique would have an important advantage when an unarmed defense was needed.
That’s when Jiu Jitsu came up, as a sophisticated hand-to-hand combat technique, called by the ancient masters “the gentle art” in reference to it’s malleable and adaptable nature: an essential quality for those difficult times.
At that time, Jiu Jitsu was mainly used to fight against armored opponents. So instead of investing in punches and other types of frontal blows, it was focused on overthrowing and twisting movements – turning the opponent’s own strength and weight into the samurai’s victory.
This explains why Jiu Jitsu became so popular amongst many military forces and self-defense specialists. The strategy of exploring your adversary’s mistakes is far more important than speed or strength.
But, before we talk about the bases of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, why it became the star of MMA fighters and professional soldiers? And who were the greatest champions in the sport’s history? We must make a quick stop in 20th century Brazil.
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Jiu Jitsu: an ancient art with brazilian spice
The story of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is deeply connected with the Gracie family’s story. But, oddly enough, the famous BJJ was created with roots in another Japanese martial art.
In 1913, a young master from Kodokan (the most traditional school of Judo) went to Brazil as his school’s ambassador, with the mission of welcoming and supporting the Japanese families that were immigrating to South America. In the city of Belém do Pará, in the northern part of Brazil, “Count” Koma (as the master was known) became a friend of the Gracie family and decided to train their children as apprentices.
The eldest of the Gracie brothers, Carlos, became the first Brazilian master of Judo and Jiu Jitsu in history, opening his own martial arts school in Rio de Janeiro. But it was his younger, feebler brother who became a legend as the founding father of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Learning from Koma and Carlos his whole life, the young (and apparently fragile) Hélio Gracie reached his 16yo already as a master in Judo and Jiu Jitsu. But only in theory. Smaller and thinner than his brother, Hélio seemed unable to put his knowledge into practice, for Koma’s technique favored the strongest and fastest competitors. Worried about Hélio’s safety, Carlos forbade him to compete.
However, dreaming of becoming a coach in Carlos’ school, Hélio took it upon himself to return to the samurai’s technique. He adapted Koma’s teaching in a way that would work for anyone, no matter how small or physically weaker than it’s opponent. That is how Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was born, combining the wisdom of the samurai with the advanced techniques of the modern masters.
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Principles of Jiu Jitsu
Jiu Jitsu is a technique and fighting method based on strategy, self-knowledge, and self-control, practiced first in the mind than on the mat. Or, as master Hélio himself used to say: “Jiu Jitsu is personal efficiency to defend the weakest. Anyone can practice: it is the strength of the lever versus raw strength”. And we all know who usually wins that fight.
Very quickly, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gained popularity amongst professionals and regular practitioners all over Brazil. Soon, it would also become famous around the world, as Hélio would travel to many countries demonstrating his new technique and promoting championships against masters from various martial arts.
The young Hélio Gracie became an international champion, competing against many, larger and stronger adversaries. His technique, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, became one of the most popular and famous martial arts in the world – practiced by millions of people who are looking for a healthier lifestyle or for a self-defense technique.
But, perhaps most importantly, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu became a path for building up self-confidence. As Hélio used to say – and almost any of the most fearsome MMA champions will echo: “When you become more confident, you become more tolerant. You gain the ability to meditate, to claim your place without having to fight. And that’s the scariest thing for the bullies”.
Do you want to learn this martial art and improve your techniques? Schedule a free trial and discover the life-changing potential of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.