A Guide to the History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is more than a martial art. It is a living tradition that connects centuries of human movement, philosophy, and combat knowledge. The art that today fills academies around the world began its journey long before the Gracie family in Brazil. Its foundation can be traced to Buddhist monks in India, its structure was shaped in Japan, and its modern identity was forged in Brazil before reaching the rest of the world.
Early Roots: Indian Monks and the Seeds of Jiu-Jitsu
The story begins in India more than two thousand years ago. Buddhist monks, who often traveled through dangerous regions, needed a way to protect themselves without weapons. Carrying arms conflicted with their spiritual discipline, so they developed unarmed combat methods that relied on leverage, body positioning, and the redirection of force. These techniques allowed a smaller or weaker individual to defend against a stronger attacker.
As Buddhism spread to other parts of Asia, these principles traveled with the monks. Over time, they influenced martial practices in China and eventually Japan, where the knowledge became refined into systems of grappling and control. In Japan, this took form as Jiu-Jitsu, the “gentle art,” practiced by samurai as a way to survive in close combat when disarmed.
From Japan to Brazil: The Maeda Connection
By the late 19th century, Jiu-Jitsu had evolved into different schools and styles. Jigoro Kano, a visionary teacher, organized many of its most effective techniques into what became Judo. He emphasized live training, discipline, and adaptability, turning Judo into both a martial art and a method of physical education.
One of Kano’s most skilled students, Mitsuyo Maeda, took these teachings abroad. Maeda demonstrated Judo across Europe, the Americas, and other regions, testing his skills in countless matches. In 1914, he arrived in Brazil and eventually settled in Belém. There, he met Carlos Gracie, the eldest son of Gastão Gracie, who soon became his student.
Carlos absorbed Maeda’s teachings and introduced them to his brothers. Among them, Hélio Gracie played a crucial role in adapting the techniques. Because of his smaller build, Hélio focused on leverage, precision, and energy efficiency rather than raw strength. The system that emerged from these adaptations became what we now call Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The Rise of the Gracie Family and Challenge Matches
To prove the effectiveness of their new style, the Gracie family issued open challenge matches. These contests, often called “vale tudo” (anything goes), pitted them against boxers, wrestlers, and martial artists from other backgrounds. Time and again, BJJ practitioners won by taking opponents to the ground, controlling them, and applying submissions.
These matches were not only demonstrations of skill but also a way to spread the art. Each victory attracted new students and reinforced the reputation of BJJ as a martial art that could empower anyone, regardless of size.
BJJ on the Global Stage
The next great leap came in the early 1990s when Rorion Gracie moved to the United States. Alongside partners, he co-created the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as a platform to showcase real fighting effectiveness. Representing the family was Royce Gracie, who shocked the world by defeating larger and stronger opponents with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
These victories changed martial arts forever. Striking-based fighters realized they needed grappling knowledge, and wrestlers learned the importance of submissions. The rise of mixed martial arts (MMA) ensured that BJJ would never again be a hidden art. It became a foundation for modern combat sports.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Today
Today, BJJ is practiced in thousands of academies across the globe. It is taught to children for confidence and discipline, to adults for fitness and self-defense, and to professional athletes for competition at the highest levels. Its appeal lies in its adaptability. The same art that prepares someone for a cage fight also helps another person build health, focus, and useful life skills.