The purpose of this paper is to take an in depth look at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This can be describes as: “a martial art of Japanese origin in which one essentially uses levers, torsions and pressure in order to take one’s opponent to the ground and dominate them” (Gracie Magazine).
The History of Brazilian Jui-Juitsu
Historically, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu started with Conde Coma ( Mitsuyo Maeda), who was the Gracie family’s first teacher. Coma trained in the birth place of Judo, the Kodokan (Shen Wu), and: “sowed Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil at the start of last century” (Gracie Magazine).
How it Began
Judo was initiated and developed by a man named Jigoro Kano, who was born in 1860. Kano was a very learned gentleman who wanted to preserve and merge Japan’s wonderful traditions in ancient martial arts. He was successful in refining the techniques which he has acquired from the Kito Ryu style and the Tenshin Shin’yo Ryu style; and in 1882, he successfully devised Kodokan Judo, his own unique martial arts system (Shen Wu).
The Rules of the Game
The game comprises 3 wide categories, all of which serve to support each other. These elements incorporate sport grappling without or with gi (contests which do not include striking, but involve a broad spectrum of submission holds); competitions with “vale tudo” (free fighting); and self-defense (involving fighting between an armed fighter and an unarmed opponent who uses unarmed and striking techniques) (Shen Wu).
Why it’s Interesting
It is interesting because Brazilian Jiu Jitsu’s general fighting method is engineered in such a way, that a man or woman who is physically weaker or smaller than average, can successfully defend themselves against a more robust and bigger attacker. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu’s technique are also very dependent on leverage, as it is the key to a much stronger and more effective use of force (Shen Wu).
- Gracie Magazine. “The History of Jiu-Jitsu.” N.d., http://www.graciemag.com/en/the-saga-of-jiu-jitsu/. Accessed 16 July 2017.
- Shen Wu. “History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.” N.d., http://www.shenwu.com/bjjhistory.html. Accessed 16 July 2017.
