The Interconnection of the Gracie Family, Jiu Jitsu, and Judo

In 2017, I had the privilege of hearing stories from Crolin Gracie, son of Carlos Gracie, in Brazil. He spoke about a Japanese Judoka from Kodokan, known as Conde Koma within the Jiu Jitsu community. This encounter sparked my deep interest in the intertwined histories of the Gracie family, Jiu Jitsu, and Judo.

Origins and Evolution of Jiu Jitsu

Jiu Jitsu originated as a combat system for samurai on the battlefield, initially designed to be used with samurai armor before evolving into an unarmored form. During the samurai era, it was known by various names such as Koshinomawari, Kogusoku, Judo, Tai Jitsu, Yawara, and Kenpo, among others.

The Birth of Kodokan Judo

Kodokan Judo was founded in 1882 by Jigoro Kano, who integrated two styles of Jiu Jitsu. One of these styles, Kitou-Ryu (起倒流), was recognized as Judo, the Way of Yawara (柔). Kano aimed to introduce the concept of Do (道, pronounced as Dou), meaning “the way of life.” His system encompassed a comprehensive self-defense methodology, including Tachiwaza (standing techniques), Newaza (ground techniques), and Atemi Waza (striking), along with weapon disarms practiced through Kata. To adapt to the modern era, they transitioned to sports to test their skills.

Transition to Sports and Its Impact

Jigoro Kano observed that the emphasis on sports led to an increase in the number of practitioners, but it also constrained the art, an issue still noted today. During his time, some Jiu Jitsu instructors were tough but lacked moral character. Therefore, Kano chose to name his style Judo instead of Jiu Jitsu.

The Concept of Shiai and Respect

In Judo, a match is called Shiai, originally meaning “meeting of death (死合),” but Kano repurposed it to mean “testing each other (試合).” He emphasized bowing before a match as a gesture of respect and gratitude for the refinement of our minds. His objective was to blend the practice of his Jiu Jitsu style with self-cultivation.

The Influence of Conde Koma

Kano’s student, Conde Koma (Mitsuyo Maeda), significantly influenced Carlos Gracie, who was known for his wild and adventurous spirit. Carlos respected and listened to Conde Koma, who was considered the Amazon’s top warrior at that time. Conde Koma shared the art of Jiu Jitsu with Carlos, not only as a combat system but also as a means of self-cultivation.

The Legacy of Jigoro Kano and Carlos Gracie

Jigoro Kano’s famous quote, “It is not important to be better than someone else, but to be better than yesterday,” reflects his philosophy. This spirit is echoed in Carlos Gracie’s quote, “There is no losing in Jiu Jitsu; you either win or you learn.” These principles underline the continuous growth and self-improvement ethos inherent in both Judo and Jiu Jitsu.

Nobuo Yagai started practicing Kendo under the prefectural riot police at the age of 6. He holds a BJJ Black belt under the Rigan Machado, as well as black belts in Kodokan Judo and Karate. Currently, he operates Way of Jiu Jitsu in Denver, Colorado.