ブラジリアン柔術は、日本の柔道をベースに、ブラジルで独自に発展した格闘技です。その最大の特徴は、パンチやキックなどの打撃技がなく、寝技での攻防が中心であることです。

ブラジリアン柔術の主な特徴

• 寝技が主体: 投げ技よりも、相手を寝かせた状態での関節技や絞め技で勝敗を決めます。

• 「格闘技のチェス」: 筋力や体格差を技術と頭脳で補うことができるため、「格闘技のチェス」とも呼ばれています。論理的な思考と身体の使い方が重要になります。

• 護身術としての側面: 小柄な人が体格の大きい相手を制圧するための護身術としても有効です。

• 幅広い年齢層・性別に対応: 打撃がないため怪我のリスクが比較的低く、子供から高齢者、男性から女性まで、体力に自信がない人でも始めやすいとされています。

• 帯のシステム: 白帯から始まり、日々の練習で課題をクリアしていくと、ストライプと呼ばれるテーピングが帯に巻かれ、最終的に帯が昇格します。

歴史

ブラジリアン柔術のルーツは、20世紀初頭に日本の講道館柔道の創始者である嘉納治五郎の弟子、前田光世がブラジルに渡り、カルロス・グレイシー一族に柔道の技術を伝えたことに始まります。その後、グレイシー一族が独自の改良を加え、現在のブラジリアン柔術へと発展しました。(*)

競技としてのブラジリアン柔術

試合では、投げ技、押さえ込み、関節技、絞め技などでポイントを獲得し、合計ポイントや一本勝ち（サブミッション）で勝敗が決まります。柔道とは異なり、投げ技や固め技で一本になることはありません。

現代のブラジリアン柔術

近年では、健康増進やダイエット、護身術として人気が高まっており、海外のセレブや芸能人が趣味として取り入れていることでも知られています。フィットネス効果が高く、心身ともに鍛えられるスポーツとして注目されています。

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that originated in Brazil, evolving from the Japanese martial art of Judo. Its main characteristic is that it focuses on grappling and ground fighting, with no strikes like punches or kicks.

Key Features of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

• Focus on Ground Fighting: Instead of throws, the goal is to take your opponent to the ground and use joint locks and chokeholds to achieve victory.

• "Human Chess": BJJ is often called "human chess" because it allows a smaller person to overcome a larger, stronger opponent through technique and strategy. It emphasizes logical thinking and a deep understanding of body mechanics.

• Self-Defense: It is a highly effective form of self-defense, enabling smaller individuals to control and neutralize larger attackers.

• Accessible to Everyone: Since there are no strikes, the risk of injury is relatively low. This makes it a great sport for people of all ages, genders, and fitness levels, from children to seniors.

• Belt System: Practitioners start with a white belt. As they progress and learn new skills, stripes are added to the belt, eventually leading to a belt promotion.

History

BJJ's roots trace back to the early 20th century when Mitsuyo Maeda, a student of Judo's founder Jigoro Kano, immigrated to Brazil and taught the martial art to the Carlos Gracie family. The Gracies then refined and adapted the techniques, leading to the development of modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. (*)

BJJ as a Sport

In competition, points are awarded for throws, pins, and dominant positions, with victory often secured by a submission (forcing the opponent to "tap out" by applying a joint lock or choke). Unlike Judo, a single throw or pin doesn't immediately end the match.

Modern BJJ

In recent years, BJJ has gained popularity for its benefits in fitness, weight loss, and self-defense. It's embraced by celebrities and public figures worldwide as a great way to stay in shape and develop both physical and mental discipline.

Mitsuyo Maeda, also known by his nickname "Count Coma," was a Japanese judoka widely regarded as the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Life and Contributions

• Judo Career: Born in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, Maeda trained in Kodokan Judo and was tasked by its founder, Jigoro Kano, to spread the martial art internationally. He was a highly skilled practitioner, rising from a third to a fourth-degree black belt.

• Worldwide Challenges: To promote Judo, Maeda traveled extensively across the Americas and Europe, engaging in "vale tudo" (anything goes) matches against various fighters, including boxers and professional wrestlers.

• Arrival in Brazil and the Transmission of Jiu-Jitsu: In 1914, he arrived in Brazil and met Gastão Gracie, an influential businessman. In gratitude for his assistance, Maeda taught the principles of Judo to Gastão's son, Carlos Gracie.

• The Origins of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Carlos Gracie, in turn, taught the techniques to his brothers. With his younger brother Hélio Gracie, he refined and adapted the moves to create a system that emphasized leverage and ground fighting, which became the foundation of modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Mitsuyo Maeda's journey as a judoka and his decision to pass on his knowledge in Brazil were the pivotal events that led to the birth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a martial art that has since become famous around the world.