Brazilian Jiu Jitsu vs Japanese Jiu Jitsu: Same Same or Different?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu vs Japanese Jiu Jitsu. Are they similar? Or worlds apart?

Japan may not necessarily the home of martial arts. [1] However, we can’t deny that a great variety of martial arts styles come from this island country in the Pacific. Aikido, Karate, and Judo are only a few examples. Let’s talk about one of those styles in particular, though. It’s one of the most popular martial arts today: Jiu Jitsu.

Is Jiu Jitsu Japanese or Brazilian? Well, the term itself is Japanese, translating to gentle art. Japanese samurai developed it as a way to engage in unarmed combat. You would think that striking is a viable option, but they wore heavy armour that made it ineffective. [2] Some strikes did come later, though they are supplementary in the art form. The origins of Jiu Jitsu still hold today. It is still a martial art primarily acting on joint manipulation, chokes and holds. [3] 

Jiu Jitsu has Japanese and Brazilian forms. But is there a difference between Jiu Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? Well, there are some key similarities and differences between the two. We’ll explore them in this article.