The story of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu - known to many as "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu" or "BJJ" - doesn't actually begin in Brazil, or even in South America. The story of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu begins in the late 1800s in Tokyo, Japan, with a man named Jigoro Kano.
The Beginning: Jigoro Kano and the Kodokan Judo Institute
|
The 1800s were a time of change for Japan. Centuries of isolationist practices and policies were beginning to give way in the face of political pressure from without and a changing culture within. By the late 1800s Western influence had permeated the culture, and there was a growing sense that the virtues of traditional Japanese society and the beauty of traditional Japanese culture would be lost or damaged forever.
It was in this context that Jigoro Kano codified his system of Jiu-Jitsu - a system which he called Jiu-Do, Ju-Do, or, as it's most commonly known these days, Judo. Jigoro Kano did not create this martial art: instead, he compiled the techniques from the various forms of Jiu-Jitsu he had studied which he felt best exemplified the principle of Seiryoku Zenyo, or "best use of one's energies," i.e. efficiency. It was Kano's intention to create a system whereby practitioners could develop themselves morally, physically, and technically, while preserving and practicing something emblematic of Japan's culture and spirit: the fighting art of the Samurai. The institute he founded in 1882 - the Kodokan Judo Institute - is still going strong today, and is considered a kind of mecca for the thousands and thousands of Judo practitioners in outlying parts of Japan and around the world. |
Expansion and Exploration: Judo Leaves Japan
|
As the world came to Japan, there a sense as well that Japan must share itself - its rich culture and history - with the world. As part of this mission, Professor Kano send out emissaries from the Kodokan to share his art around the globe. Many of the oldest Judo clubs in the world can trace their founding to this era, when envoys from the Kodokan arrived and began teaching Judo. It was during this era as well that President Teddy Roosevelt was introduced to the art, stating after his training that "the art of Jiu-Jitsu is worth more in every way than all of our athletics combined.” (Note that, at that time, the terms "Jiu-Jitsu," "Jujitsu," "Jujutsu," and "Judo" were used interchangeably in the popular culture, and that Roosevelt is here referring specifically to his training with Yamashita Yoshitsugu, a Kodokan representative who visited the White House and personally gave Judo lessons to the president.)
One such emissary was Mitsuyo Maeda. A fierce and capable practitioner, Maeda traveled through Central and South America demonstrating Judo's prowess by taking on all comers in no-holds-barred challenges in carnivals and traveling fairs. However, having learned Kano's art in the confines of the Kodokan, practicing against other Judokas, the rough and varied style of these contests presented a unique challenge to the Judo representative; as a result, he began to develop his own style and strategy for applying the art against these unpredictable opponents. |
|
Carlos and Hélio Gracie: The Beginning of a Fighting Dynasty
Mitsuyo Maeda eventually settled in Brazil, where many Japanese were emigrating at the time. A local man whom Maeda had met through his work in the traveling circus - Gastão Gracie - helped Maeda get settled, and even helped him organize a community for Japanese immigrants. As a way of thanking him, Maeda offered to teach Gastão's eldest son, Carlos, the art of Kodokan Judo.
Carlos took to the art, and studied intensely with Maeda for two years before the Gracie family moved from Belém to Rio de Janeiro. There Carlos and his brothers Oswaldo, Gastão Jr., George, and Hélio continued to learn from other senior students of Maeda, also living in Rio, until eventually opening their own Jiu-Jitsu academy in 1925.
The youngest brother, Hélio, was weaker and frailer than his brothers: at one point, early in his life, a doctor even forbid him from doing any physical exercise due to the fact that he would have fainting spells! Nevertheless, Hélio loved Jiu-Jitsu, and would spend hours watching his brothers train and teach.
One day a student came to the Gracie Academy for a private lesson with Carlos. Carlos, however, was late for the appointment. Seeing what was happening, and not wanting the student to miss his class, Hélio offered to teach the class. The student was a little confused - he hadn't realized that Hélio knew Jiu-Jitsu; he thought Hélio was just the younger brother who hung around the academy! Still, perhaps thinking that some training was better than no training, the student agreed to take the class from Hélio. By the time Carlos arrived, very late and apologetic, the student's mind was changed. He was so impressed with Hélio's teaching ability that he requested to continue his training with Hélio! Though he had been unable to train as vigorously as his brothers, Hélio's keen mind had absorbed the art.
Despite the doctors' warnings, Jiu-Jitsu proved a cure rather than a threat to Hélio. He grew stronger and more physically capable and resilient. He noticed, however, that he still lacked the power and strength that his brothers and other practitioners possessed. Simply put, he was unable to do the moves as performed by the more powerful Maeda and those who practiced his particular style. Accordingly he began changing the techniques, discovering small variations whereby a weaker person might produce the same effect by the skillful application of leverage and timing. Technique by technique, he transformed the art. The style he developed is the art we now know as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Eager to prove the effectiveness of their art, the Gracie brothers set out to challenge anyone: professional fighters, practitioners of other martial arts, local toughs, etc. Through a long and storied career, Hélio faced and defeated many opponents, all of them larger and stronger than himself. His fighting prowess made him a national hero, and a legend in the canon of fighting greats.
Carlos took to the art, and studied intensely with Maeda for two years before the Gracie family moved from Belém to Rio de Janeiro. There Carlos and his brothers Oswaldo, Gastão Jr., George, and Hélio continued to learn from other senior students of Maeda, also living in Rio, until eventually opening their own Jiu-Jitsu academy in 1925.
The youngest brother, Hélio, was weaker and frailer than his brothers: at one point, early in his life, a doctor even forbid him from doing any physical exercise due to the fact that he would have fainting spells! Nevertheless, Hélio loved Jiu-Jitsu, and would spend hours watching his brothers train and teach.
One day a student came to the Gracie Academy for a private lesson with Carlos. Carlos, however, was late for the appointment. Seeing what was happening, and not wanting the student to miss his class, Hélio offered to teach the class. The student was a little confused - he hadn't realized that Hélio knew Jiu-Jitsu; he thought Hélio was just the younger brother who hung around the academy! Still, perhaps thinking that some training was better than no training, the student agreed to take the class from Hélio. By the time Carlos arrived, very late and apologetic, the student's mind was changed. He was so impressed with Hélio's teaching ability that he requested to continue his training with Hélio! Though he had been unable to train as vigorously as his brothers, Hélio's keen mind had absorbed the art.
Despite the doctors' warnings, Jiu-Jitsu proved a cure rather than a threat to Hélio. He grew stronger and more physically capable and resilient. He noticed, however, that he still lacked the power and strength that his brothers and other practitioners possessed. Simply put, he was unable to do the moves as performed by the more powerful Maeda and those who practiced his particular style. Accordingly he began changing the techniques, discovering small variations whereby a weaker person might produce the same effect by the skillful application of leverage and timing. Technique by technique, he transformed the art. The style he developed is the art we now know as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Eager to prove the effectiveness of their art, the Gracie brothers set out to challenge anyone: professional fighters, practitioners of other martial arts, local toughs, etc. Through a long and storied career, Hélio faced and defeated many opponents, all of them larger and stronger than himself. His fighting prowess made him a national hero, and a legend in the canon of fighting greats.
Rorion Gracie, the UFC, and the Worldwide Phenomenon
Hélio had seven sons: Rorion, Relson, Rickson, Royce, Royler, Rolker, and Robin. These boys were all raised on the mat, learning the art that bears their family name. When he reached adulthood, Hélio's eldest son Rorion set out for America. It was his belief that "if something is good in Brazil it will stay in Brazil; if it comes to America it will go out to the world." And that was exactly what he wanted: to share his family's art with the world. Starting in small garage spaces in and around Los Angeles, California, and eventually opening the original Gracie Academy in the late 80s, Rorion set out to spread the word.
Still, the exposure wasn't enough. There were only so many people that Rorion could reach by advertising in and around Los Angeles. But Rorion had an idea that would revolutionize the martial arts world. No-rules challenge matches had been going on for decades in Brazil, but nothing like that had been shown to modern U.S. audiences. With the help of promoter Art Davie and movie director John Milius, Rorion staged what would become the flagship event of a sport revolution: the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In November of 1993, eight representatives of different martial arts styles gathered in an arena in Denver, Colorado to determine who was the "Ultimate Fighter." The tournament-style event meant that the winner would have to fight three times in one night to be crowned the champion. At 176 lbs. Rorion's younger brother Royce was the smallest entrant by a long shot, but he methodically applied his family's art, submitting his opponents with apparent ease. To viewers for whom martial arts prowess meant breaking bricks and throwing high, flying kicks, this grappling-focused system represented a massive paradigm shift. Rorion's mission had been a success.
These days Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more popular than ever. Hollywood films such as the John Wick trilogy make extensive use of Jiu-Jitsu moves in their fight choreography, and the UFC is one of the biggest sporting ventures on the planet.
We here at The Chagrin Valley Jiu-Jitsu Academy are extremely proud to represent this incredible art and carry on the tradition of these amazing pioneers. We hope you'll join us on the journey!
Still, the exposure wasn't enough. There were only so many people that Rorion could reach by advertising in and around Los Angeles. But Rorion had an idea that would revolutionize the martial arts world. No-rules challenge matches had been going on for decades in Brazil, but nothing like that had been shown to modern U.S. audiences. With the help of promoter Art Davie and movie director John Milius, Rorion staged what would become the flagship event of a sport revolution: the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In November of 1993, eight representatives of different martial arts styles gathered in an arena in Denver, Colorado to determine who was the "Ultimate Fighter." The tournament-style event meant that the winner would have to fight three times in one night to be crowned the champion. At 176 lbs. Rorion's younger brother Royce was the smallest entrant by a long shot, but he methodically applied his family's art, submitting his opponents with apparent ease. To viewers for whom martial arts prowess meant breaking bricks and throwing high, flying kicks, this grappling-focused system represented a massive paradigm shift. Rorion's mission had been a success.
These days Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more popular than ever. Hollywood films such as the John Wick trilogy make extensive use of Jiu-Jitsu moves in their fight choreography, and the UFC is one of the biggest sporting ventures on the planet.
We here at The Chagrin Valley Jiu-Jitsu Academy are extremely proud to represent this incredible art and carry on the tradition of these amazing pioneers. We hope you'll join us on the journey!
Grandmaster Hélio Gracie (center, seated) with sons (top row, left to right) Royce, Rorion, Relson, Rickson, Rolker (kneeling, left), and Royler (kneeling, right).
Copyright © 2020-2022, The Chagrin Valley Jiu-Jitsu Academy