Skip to content
Train My Hands for War taped-hand markTrain My Hands

Learn

A brief history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grew from Japanese jujutsu and Kodokan judo. It is a young art with a long lineage.

Timeline

  • 1882 — Jigoro Kano founds the Kodokan in Tokyo.
  • Early twentieth century — Japanese judoka, including Mitsuyo Maeda, bring grappling instruction and challenge matches to Brazil.
  • Carlos and Hélio Gracie, alongside other Brazilian teachers and lineages, adapt the art with a strong emphasis on ground control and submissions.
  • 1993 — Royce Gracie's victory at the first UFC accelerates BJJ's global reach.

Why lineage still matters

Every academy carries a lineage of coaches who passed down more than technique. We honor every member's home academy and every coach who taught them. This Connect Group is not an affiliation and does not compete with anyone's school.

Instructional videos are educational and are not a substitute for supervised training. Do not practice submissions or takedowns without qualified coaching and a consenting partner.

References and further reading

Primary sources are linked so you can verify anything on this page. Rules, ages, and promotion standards change — always read the current source.

Download references (PDF)
  1. Kodokan Judo Institute — history of Jigoro Kano and the KodokanKodokan Judo Institute

    Primary source for the 1882 founding of the Kodokan and the judo lineage Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grew from.

  2. Jujutsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — encyclopedia overviewEncyclopaedia Britannica

    Neutral background on Japanese jujutsu, its spread, and the Brazilian branch of the art.

External links are provided for education only and do not imply endorsement of, or affiliation with, this Connect Group.

Suggest a resource or report a citation

Rules, ages, and promotion standards change. If a source here is out of date, a link is broken, or a better primary source exists, tell us and we will correct it.

Learn hub feedback

Take it to the mat

Reserve My Mat — FreeBack to Learn