Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu history : From Kodokan Roots to the Amazon Boom

The Genesis of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Kodokan Roots to the Amazon Boom

The story of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not merely a chronicle of exciting techniques but a testament to resilience, fusion of cultures, and the relentless pursuit of mastery. At Afik Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, founded by the passion of seasoned fighter and founder of Afik group  “Yaacov Afik”, this living tradition continues to flourish on dojo mats. With deep respect for the art’s origins, Yaacov Afik has paved the way to preserving the lineage that began over a century ago, when Japanese martial arts first intertwined with Brazil’s vibrant fighting spirit. As we trace the roots of this rising culture, we invite you to take in the exciting backstory and encourage you to start yours…

·      The First Meeting: Rio de Janeiro, 1909

On May 1, 1909, in downtown Rio de Janeiro, which is a city that would later become a pillar for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies worldwide, at the Concerto Avenida Theatre, a capoeira fighter named Francisco Cyríaco—nicknamed “Old Monkey” (pronounced approximately: Frahn-SEE-sko See-REE-ah-koo, “Old Muhn-kee”)—fought against Sada Miako, a jujutsu teacher who was sponsored by the Japanese navy (pronounced approximately: Sah-dah Mee-ah-koh). Cyríaco used capoeira’s flowing movements, called ginga (pronounced: ZHEEN-gah), to stay unpredictable. He then used a kick called rabo-de-arraia (pronounced approximately: RAH-boh dee ah-RAH-yah—meaning “stingray tail”) and made Sada give up.

This early fight is important in BJJ history because it showed both the Brazilian pride and how capoeira and jiu-jitsu could be seen as strong competitors in the martial arts landscape. Today, understanding these origins enriches students’ training at BJJ schools across Europe, the Mediterranean, and beyond—especially those seeking both self-defense mastery and cultural depth.

·      The Showdown in the Amazon: Belém, 1915

Six years later, in Belém at the Bar Paraense theatre, Satake Soishiro (pronounced approximately: Sah-tah-keh Soh-ee-SHEE-roh), a judo expert trained at the famous Kodokan school (one of the top martial arts schools of the era), held public challenge matches with prize money. A local fighter known as Pé de Bola (pronounced approximately: Peh dee BOH-lah, meaning “ball foot”) fought him but was quickly beaten. This demonstrated the superiority of Kodokan judo grappling techniques, inspiring what modern BJJ practitioners now call a shift toward submission grappling dominance.

These public fights caught the attention of Gastão Gracie (pronounced approximately: Gahs-TOWN GRAH-see), a circus owner and the father of Carlos Gracie. Gastão later introduced his son to jiu-jitsu. This pivotal meeting influenced not only the Gracie family’s martial arts legacy but also the global spread of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, now taught in countless BJJ academies in Europe and the Mediterranean.

·      Mitsuyo Maeda (“Count Koma”) Arrives

Near the end of 1915, Mitsuyo Maeda (pronounced approximately: Meet-soo-yoh Mah-eh-dah), also known as “Count Koma” (approximate pronunciation: Kownt Koh-mah), came to Belém and opened a training hall, or dojo (pronounced: DOH-joh), at the Teatro Moderno. Here, a young and not very strong teenager named Carlos Gracie (pronounced approximately: KAR-lohs GRAH-see) became one of his first students. Maeda’s varied teaching style, which combined Kodokan judo, catch-wrestling, and strategies from combat sports and professional fighting, became the basis for what Carlos Gracie and his family would later refine into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Modern BJJ classes, whether in Lisbon, Barcelona, or Athens, still carry the image of Maeda’s approach: blending grappling techniques, takedowns, and ground fighting that empower both beginners and advanced BJJ athletes.

·      The Gracie Style Begins

Carlos Gracie learned Maeda’s practical methods, which were distinct from Kodokan judo because they didn’t use the belt ranking system as strictly or emphasize philosophical theory as heavily. Instead, the focus shifted toward effective submission techniques, guard passing, and positional control—cornerstones of modern BJJ training programs worldwide.

This unique teaching philosophy paved the way for Gracie Jiu-Jitsu schools, many of which emphasize self-defense classes, No-Gi BJJ (popular across Mediterranean martial arts academies today), and competitive grappling that appeals to MMA fighters and recreational enthusiasts alike.

·      The Impact and Legacy

These early encounters show how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became a hybrid martial art, merging the precision of Japanese grappling with the vibrant social landscape of Brazil. This cultural fusion empowered the Gracie family to later launch their legendary Gracie Challenges, where they tested their fighting skills against other martial arts styles such as judo, karate, wrestling, and boxing.

Today, practitioners at European BJJ academies, especially in regions like Spain, Italy, and Greece, carry this legacy forward, mastering not just BJJ techniques but also embracing mental resilience, discipline, and community, core values that defined the art’s birth.

·      Continue the Legacy at Afik BJJ Academy

Just as Mitsuyo Maeda shared his transformative techniques with Carlos Gracie over a century ago, Afik Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy carries forward that spirit of authentic BJJ learning and innovation today. Our BJJ courses, established by Yaacov Afik, the BJJ enthusiast and fighter him self, aim to honor the roots of Brazilian jiu-jitsu by blending time-tested fundamentals with modern BJJ trends like No-Gi classes, submission grappling, and personalized coaching, empowering students of all sizes and backgrounds to master leverage, positional control, and self-defense techniques.

Whether you’re beginning your journey as a BJJ beginner in Europe or deepening your craft in advanced BJJ programs, you’ll be part of a lineage that traces directly to the art’s historic origins. Join us to explore BJJ for fitness, BJJ for self-defense, or even competitive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, and become part of one of the fastest-growing BJJ communities in the Mediterranean.

References:

The Genesis of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Kodokan Roots to the Amazon Boom

1. Cairus, J. (2017). Genesis of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Transnational exchange and cultural hybridization.

2. Gracie Academy. (n.d.). History of Jiu-Jitsu. Retrieved from https://www.gracieacademy.com/history

3. Rios, R. (2012). Capoeira and the myth of national identity in Brazil. Routledge.

4. Green, T. A., & Svinth, J. R. (Eds.). (2010). Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation. ABC-CLIO.

5. Gracie, R., & Danaher, J. (1993). Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Invisible Cities Press.