Jiu-jitsu is a form of martial art that dates back thousands of years. Formalized schools for jiu-jitsu have existed nearly as long. Today, jiu-jitsu retains many of the ancient principles, although the sport has changed over time and different styles have emerged. Many martial arts schools offer classes on jiu-jitsu for most ages. Jiu-jitsu competitions on the local to international level are also arranged each year.
Origins
Jiu-jitsu dates back to at least 2000 B.C. in ancient Egypt, but the most notable history began in 23 B.C. in Japan, with the advent of sumo wrestling, according to the AFS Academy. Jiu-jitsu was a warrior art that had various methods, or "schools," in ancient Japan. Most or these schools used weapons and hand-to-hand techniques. Developed by Japan's warrior class, or "bushi," jiu-jitsu was dubbed "the art of flexibility" or "the gentle art." Practiced by Buddhist monks, jiu-jitsu made its way to Japan from Southeast Asia and China as Buddhism spread to these regions, explains the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, or IBJJF. Jiu-jitsu further spread throughout the world in the late 1800s as masters immigrated to North and South America, as well as Europe.
Development
Some of the biggest historical developments of jiu-jitsu were attributed to the Japanese master Jigaro Kano, notes the AFS Academy. Kano invented new throws, including a strategy to set an opponent off-balance instead of leveraging, a technique called "kazushi." This was the birth of judo, which progressively eclipsed jiu-jitsu in Japan through the rest of the nineteenth century. Kano went on to become the first Asian member inducted into the International Olympic Committee in 1908. In 1915, the jiu-jitsu master Esai Maeda Koma moved to Brazil and taught the martial art to Carlos Gracie, a Brazilian teenager, says the IBJJF. Gracie went on to become a jiu-jitsu master himself, teaching students in Rio de Janeiro and later opening Brazil's first jiu-jitsu school, Academia Gracie de Jiu-Jitsu. Gracie and his brothers became famous and successful international fighters, making jiu-jitsu an extremely popular sport in Brazil. Gracie's style led to the development of "Brazilian jiu-jitsu," a style practiced throughout the world.
Significance
Jiu-jitsu was the basis for the development of many other martial arts, such as aikido, judo, hapkido, Nippon shoinji kempo and some forms of karate, making jiu-jitsu the most significant martial art from Japan, according to the Ontario Jiu-Jitsu Association. Jiu-jitsu has become an organized international sport that's featured in world competitions in the United States, Europe, Brazil and Asia, notes the IBJJF. Jiu-jitsu championships are held on the local, regional, national and international levels around the world.
Modern Day
Brazilian jiu-jitsu in particular continues to gain popularity, according to the AFS Academy. Jiu-jitsu has official governing bodies, rules and grading systems. Along with the IBJJF, the Confederation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu holds official jiu-jitsu competitions in various countries, and other national and regional organizations also hold jiu-jitsu championships.
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