History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Jiu-Jitsu, which means gentle art is an ancient form of martial art. It originated in India more than 2000 years before Christ. It most likely was created in China where it was refined into the ancient grappling forms of shuai jiao and Chin Na Fa. Spreading throughout Asia , it eventually took root and was elaborated on in Japan. The samurai clans in Japan adopted Jiu-Jitsu as their own traditional style to defeat an opponent regardless if the situation was striking, throwing or grappling. With the passing years, these schools of Jiu-Jitsu developed into modern martial arts styles, such as judo, Aikido, karate, etc.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu began with Mitsuyo Maeda (aka Conde Koma, or Count Combat in English), a Japanese expert judoka and a member of the Kodokan. Jigoro Kano sent Maeda overseas to spread his Judo to the world. This version of pre-World War II Judo, was strongly influenced by a Japanese Jiu-Jitsu stystem known as Fusen Ryu. Fusen Ryu was absorbed into the Kodokan after defeating Judo fighters in several challenge matches. The main focus in Fusen Ryu was on ne-waza (ground technique).
Though he started out representing Kodokan Judo, Maeda was intent on engaging in no-rules challenge matches around the world. This type of competition was stricktly forbidden by the Kodokan charter, so Maeda changed the name from Judo, back to the original name of Jiu-Jitsu.
Eventually, Maeda emigrated to Brazil in the 1910s where an influential businessman named Gastão Gracie helped him get established. In return for his aid, Maeda taught the fighting art to Gastão's oldest son Carlos Gracie, who then taught the art to all of his brothers.
One of the brothers, Helio Gracie, paid special interest to the use of the techniques. Helio being of small frame, light in weight (only 135 pounds), and in frail health, was 16 when he began learning Jiu-Jitsu. Being unable to participate in classes, he would sit and watch his older brother teach every day. One day when Carlos was unable to make it to class, Helio was asked to instruct. Because of his size and stature, he began to work with and adapt the system that was taught to him.
Though obviously a continuation of earlier forms of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, the Gracie Academy took this approach to Jiu-Jitsu to another level by creating an environment where the best fighting techniques could evolve in a no-rules, man-to-man, weaponless fight with out referees or time limits. Under Helio's guidance, the creation of Brazilian/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu became the ungoing work of Carlos and Helio Gracie and their students, all of whom played instrumental roles in the art's evolution.
