The Roots of Jiu Jitsu

Jiu-Jitsu, the oldest form of martial art, originated in India in 2,000 B.C. It spread through China and eventually settled into Japan. It was originally an art designed for warfare, but after the abolition of the Feudal system in Japan, certain modifications needed to be made to the art in order to make it suitable for practice. During Feudal times, Jiu-Jitsu was also known as Yawara, Hakuda, Kogusoko, and an assortment of other names. The samurai used these techniques.

The earliest recorded use of the word “Jiu-Jitsu” happened in 1532. Hisamori Tenenuchi when he officially established the first school of Jiu-Jitsu in Japan. The history of the art during this time is uncertain because teachers kept everything secret to give their art a feeling of importance and then would change the stories of their art to suit their own needs. After the Feudal period in Japan ended, Jiu-Jitsu was no longer needed on the battlefield.

Jiu Jitsu in Brazil

In 1914, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu Champion Mitsuyo Maeda, better known as Count Koma,  arrived in Brazil to help establish a Japanese immigration colony in that developing country. Gastao Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottish decent, aided him. To show his gratitude, the Jiu-Jitsu master taught the ancient fighting style to Gastao’s oldest son, Carlos Gracie. Carlos taught Maeda’s techniques to his brothers: Oswaldo, Gastao, Jorge and most notably Helio and in 1925 they opened the first Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Botafogo, a district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Grand Master Helio Gracie

Helio, the youngest brother, who due to his frail health was forbidden from doing any kind of physical activity, got involved in this martial art at the age of 16 when he began substitute teaching for his brother Carlos. In spite of his small frame and weight of only 140 pounds, he became the mastermind behind the development of the style. Helio went a step further than his teachers by refining the techniques to utilize leverage and technique in place of strength as taught with the Japanese style.

Led by him, the brothers were driven by a constant determination to find effective ways to deal with the aspects for a real fight. Daring to break away from the traditional Japanese style, they began experimenting, modifying and perfecting simple techniques, keeping only the ones that would be effective regardless of stature. That is how the Gracie family developed their style of Jiu-Jitsu. Many of the Japanese facets for the art, which depended on physical prowess and stiff motion, were tossed aside, leaving only pure technique. Helio took on many opponents that out-weighed him and had a lot more strength to test out the new advanced Jiu Jitsu and to protect the family name. Many of these opponents include other martial artists and well-known fighters.

Relson Gracie

Relson Gracie, the 2nd oldest son of Helio Gracie, began competing at the age of 10 and began learning Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 2 years old. He was the Brazilian National Champion for 22 years straight, undefeated. During this time in Brazil, he became so popular with the crowds that he was given the nickname “Campeao” or “Champion”, among his friends and fans.

Relson moved to Hawaii in 1988. Upon his arrival in Honolulu, it was with great pleasure that Relson got to introduce the art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the “Aloha” state by holding the first ever Jiu Jitsu tournament on American soil in 1992. Now retired from competition, Relson continues to enjoy teaching classes in Hawaii and around the globe. Although

Relson’s techniques are deeply rooted in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Relson also emphasizes “street effective” techniques. Relson’s Jiu-Jitsu has evolved to help one defend themselves in survival situations where there are no rules and also being involved in teaching self defense to the U.S military, secret service, D.E.A, F.B.I and local law enforcement agencies across the United States

He’s living his life with the same motive as his Father, making Jiu Jitsu well known and giving the weak and less athletic person the edge.

Steve Hordinski

Today we celebrate the life that was lived by the grand master Helio Gracie. We pay our respects with the tradition of his teachings. This era is made of a new breed of fighters and competitors from different organizations. Many of these organizations, being major companies, have changed the art and have forgotten the roots of the beginning and the legends that have paved the way. We, on the other hand, are keeping our same methods that have worked for years.

You

The Next Great Instructors to pass on the knowledge of Jiu Jitsu are the faces that we see on the mat every day. For some it is a calling to pass on the knowledge that we posses, for others it is displayed in the training that they bring to the academy every day, but for all students it is a responsibility to uphold the teachings and preserve the tradition that we are taught. Jiu Jitsu is not belt color, it is not a win in a competition, or a submission on the mat, Jiu Jitsu is a way of life.