The martial art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a system of one-on-one ground fighting, where the objective is to achieve a superior position for joint locks, chokes and strikes. Some Historians say that Jiu-Jitsu is the oldest form of martial art having originated in India more than 2,000 years before Christ. It was originally thought to have been developed by Buddhist Monks. Concerned with self-defense, these monks created techniques based upon principles of balance and leverage, and a system of manipulating the body in a manner where one could avoid relying upon strength or weapons.
With the expansion of Buddhism, Jiu-Jitsu spread from Southeast Asia to China, finally arriving in Japan where it developed and gained further popularity. However, with the passing of the Tokugawa era (ca. 1800), Japan became somewhat united and there were many changes in Japanese society. One of the results of these changes was the reduction of the Samurai warrior to the status of the common citizen. In his new position, the Samurai could no longer carry a sword. He was forced to rely solely on empty-handed techniques as a means of defending himself. Over the years, since the reforms imposed by the Meiji restoration in Japan in the 1900s, Jiu-Jitsu became practically extinct in that country surviving only as a very restricted sportive form of Judo.
Evidence also shows us that Jiu-Jitsu techniques, although not necessarily under that name at the time, were included with warrior training in several countries circa 1100AD. In the last days of 19th century, some Jiu-Jitsu masters emigrated from Japan to other continents, teaching the martial arts, as well as competing in fights and competitions.
Esai Maeda Koma, also known as “Conde Koma,” was one such master. After traveling with a troupe who fought in various countries in Europe and the Americas, Koma arrived in Brazil in 1915, settling in Belem do Pará the next year, to help establish a Japanese immigration colony in that developing country, where he met a man named Gastão Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottish decent. Esai Maeda was aided in that endeavor by Gastão Gracie. The father of eight children, among then five boys and three girls, Gastão became a Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast and to show his gratitude to Gastão, the Japanese Jiu-Jitsu Master Esai Koma taught the basic secrets of that ancient fighting style to Gastão’s oldest son, Carlos Gracie.
For a naturally frail fifteen-year old Carlos Gracie, Jiu-Jitsu became a method not simply for fighting, but for personal improvement. At nineteen, he moved to Rio de Janeiro with his family and began teaching Esai Maeda’s techniques to his brothers: Oswaldo, Gastão, Jorge and Hélio Gracie. Carlos and his brothers expanded on their grappling knowledge, developing new and innovative techniques. In 1925, he opened the first school, known as the “Academia Gracie de Jiu-Jitsu (Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy)”, in Botafogo, a district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Carlos and his brother Helio Gracie actually changed the original art, adding new techniques and discarding older, less efficient ones. At that point, Jiu-Jitsu began its evolution from the old and limited Japanese art of Ju Jutsu into a far more efficient and complete fighting system.
In the course of his development Carlos Gracie began competing in the martial arts. He started to share his knowledge with his brothers, adapting and refining the techniques to the naturally weaker characteristics of his family. Also, Carlos taught them his philosophies of life as well as his concepts of natural nutrition. Eventually, Carlos became a pioneer in creating a special diet for athletes, “the Gracie Diet,” which transformed Jiu-Jitsu, his family’s art, into a term synonymous with health.At this time the Helio Gracie era started.
One day, when Helio was 16 years old, a student showed up for class when Carlos was not around. Helio, who had memorized all the techniques from watching his brothers teach, offered to start the class. When the class was over, Carlos showed up and apologized for his delay. The student answered, “No problem. I enjoyed the class with Helio very much and, if you don’t mind, I’d like to continue learning from him.” Carlos agreed, and Helio became an instructor.
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 Jiu-Jitsu 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.
At 43 years old, Helio and former student, Waldemar Santana, set the world record for the longest uninterrupted no-holds-barred fight in history when they fought for an incredible 3 hours and 40 minutes!
Widely regarded as the first sports hero in Brazilian history, Helio also challenged boxing icons Primo Carnera, Joe Louis, and Ezzard Charles. They all declined.
Carlos developed an interest in no-rules type competitions. He learned through these competitions and street situations that almost all fights end up on the ground. In his travels, Carlos would teach classes, but he also proved the efficiency of the art by beating adversaries who were much bigger and more physically gifted. He took what he learned and developed it further through these no-rules competitions and street fights until it became the martial art we know today as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).
Attracted to the new market which was opened around Jiu-Jitsu, many Japanese practitioners came to Rio de Janeiro, but none were able to establish schools as successful as the Gracies. This was due to the fact that the Japanese stylists were more focused on takedowns and throws, and the Jiu-Jitsu the Gracie’s practiced had more sophisticated ground fighting and submission techniques. At around this time, the “Vale-Tudo” MMA Style of fighting was born. Carlos and his brothers changed the techniques in such a way that it completely altered the complexion of professional fighting itself. No longer was fighting thought to consist only of striking and kicking; now ground fighting had become its equal. These ground fighting techniques were so distinctive to Carlos and his brothers that the sport became attached to a national identity, and is now commonly known as “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,” practiced by artists all over the world, including Japan.
The martial art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu became increasingly popular and now has a large following in the South America, North America, Europe, East and West Asia, realizing Carlos and Helios original dream to spread Jiu-Jitsu around the world. With the creation of an official body overseeing the administration of the sport, the rules and the ranking system started the era of sport Jiu-Jitsu competitions. Today, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is being spread worldwide thanks to Carlos and Helio Gracie’s teachings.
I look forward to sharing my life knowledge of this amazing art with you.
Jiu-Jitsu for Strength, Confidence, and Safety!
Caique Jiu Jitsu Academy
24831 Narbonne Avenue
Lomita, CA 90717
Phone: (424) 250-0111