Jiu-jitsu History 柔術の歴史

Japanese old style jujutsu, or Nihon Koryu Jujutsu, dates back to the Muromachi period in Japan between 1333 and 1573. This old style of martial arts training was focused on teaching the unarmed or very lightly armed warrior to fight a heavily armed warrior. This eventually led to the teaching of a significant amount of grappling, throwing, restraining and weaponry skills to Samurai.

The term jujutsu began to take hold in the 17th century. At the time, it described all of the grappling-related disciplines in Japan that were used and taught by the Samurai. The name "jujutsu" means the "art of softness",  ''the gentle art'' or "way of yielding." 

Eventually, jujutsu evolved, changing with the times to the Nihon jujutsu seen today. 

Generally, this more contemporary style is termed Edo jūjutsu, since it was founded during the Edo period. The striking in these styles is not designed to be effective against armor since no one really wears armor anymore. However, it would be effective against a plain-clothed person.

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (practiced as Judo) was introduced to the Gracie family in Brazil around 1914 by Esai Maeda, who was also known as Conde Koma. Maeda was a champion and a direct student of Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo at the Kodokan in Japan.  In 1914, Maeda was given the opportunity to travel to Brazil as part of a large Japanese immigration colony. In Brazil, in the northern state of Para, he befriended Gastão Gracie, an influential businessman, who helped Maeda get established. To show his gratitude, Maeda offered to teach traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu to Gastão’s oldest son, Carlos Gracie. Carlos learned for a few years and eventually passed his knowledge to his brothers, including his youngest brother, Helio.  

THE BIRTH OF GRACIE JIU-JITSU 

Carlos's little brother Helio soon realized that due to his frail physique, most of the techniques he had learned from watching Carlos teach were particularly difficult for him to execute. Eager to make the techniques work for him, he began modifying them to accommodate his weak body. Emphasizing the use of leverage and timing over strength and speed, Helio modified virtually all of the techniques and, through trial and error, created Gracie/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  In order to prove the effectiveness of his new system, Helio openly challenged all the reputable martial artists in Brazil. He fought 18 times, including matches against onetime world heavyweight wrestling champion, Wladek Zbyszko and the #2-ranked Judoka in the world at the time, Kato, whom Helio choked unconscious in six minutes. His victory against Kato qualified him to enter the ring with the world champion, Masahiko Kimura, the best Judo fighter Japan has ever produced, and who outweighed Helio by almost 80 pounds. Kimura won the match but was so impressed with Helio’s techniques that he asked Helio to go teach in Japan claiming the techniques Helio presented during their bout did not exist in Japan. It was the recognition by the world’s best to Helio’s dedication to the refinement of the art.  A modern-day legend,  Grandmaster Helio Gracie gained international acclaim for his dedication to the dissemination of the art and is recognized as the creator of Gracie/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.