Mitsuyo Maeda; The untold story

[Qkhanh]

This is the true origin of BJJ. Yes, I understand many of you know this already, but it needs be said and emphasized in order for the martial artists of today and the future know the true history of the martial art and not some jumbled propaganda that is currently spewed out by thousands of BJJ practitioners.

The Gracie family, for some reason, are so adamant about letting the world know that they essentially reinvented the Japanese martial art of jiu jitsu.

For example:

But in reality, it was a Judoka who traveled to Brazil and taught the fundamentals and martial arts philosophy(ways in which a smaller opponent can defeat a larger one).

Here is an example of how the Gracie family likes to ignore the Judo origins of BJJ.


Notice something? Not a single mention of Judo.

So:

1. The Gracie family takes full credit for their martial art, and does not credit the true origins

2. The guard and several early/core BJJ techniques and, in addition, the 'rolling'(randori) philosophy and class structure originates from Judo

3. Mitsuyo Maeda's legacy, if the Gracie family is allowed to continue their propaganda, will be lost in time.


Not to take away everything that the Gracie family has done for martial arts and MMA in general, and I also understand that this may be offensive for some of you, but it needs to be said. :icon_neut

 

[kpoz12]

but, but, but, Helio invented leverage and the guard.

 

[The Karate Man]

Judo had a guard before BJJ was a thing. dō-osae, dō-jime, etc...

 

[Knock Out Ned]

but, but, but, Helio invented leverage and the guard.

Don't forget, he couldn't do one pull up, either.

 

[JLBN]

I bought a maeda brand gi. I like it.

 

[Sebg]

Well of course the narrator in that first vid has a very deep gravelly voice. Therefore, everything he says must be a true fact.

Sounds like ts has his own biases.

 

[SuperSuperRambo]

1. The Gracie family takes full credit for their martial art, and does not credit the true origins

2. The guard and several early/core BJJ techniques and, in addition, the 'rolling'(randori) philosophy and class structure originates from Judo

3. Mitsuyo Maeda's legacy, if the Gracie family is allowed to continue their propaganda, will be lost in time.


Not to take away everything that the Gracie family has done for martial arts and MMA in general, and I also understand that this may be offensive for some of you, but it needs to be said. :icon_neut

Read Renzo Gracie's book Mastering JiuJitsu and you will find that all three of those points are incorrect. You seem to be referring just to Rorion and his ilk.

 

[Osstopher McGi]

Read Renzo Gracie's book Mastering JiuJitsu and you will find that all three of those points are incorrect. You seem to be referring just to Rorion and his ilk.

That's a very good book, and yeah it goes way into the histories of Japanese lineages and things.

Purely based on media statements and so forth it sort of appears to me that Carlos Gracie's side of the family are more open and acknowledging of the wider scope, including Mitsuyo Maeda, whereas Helio Gracie's side of the family have more videos/publications/statements that are along the lines of what TS is talking about.
Does that sound about right?

 

[SuperSuperRambo]

That's a very good book, and yeah it goes way into the histories of Japanese lineages and things.

Purely based on media statements and so forth it sort of appears to me that Carlos Gracie's side of the family are more open and acknowledging of the wider scope, including Mitsuyo Maeda, whereas Helio Gracie's side of the family have more videos/publications/statements that are along the lines of what TS is talking about.
Does that sound about right?

Sure. But Helio's side is smaller and less well-represented in the modern BJJ/MMA community.

 

[Osstopher McGi]

Sure. But Helio's side is smaller and less well-represented in the modern BJJ/MMA community.

Oh, I see. So it's probably a whole lot more complex than what I said, really. Thanks.

 

[nhbfan8080]

Read Renzo Gracie's book Mastering JiuJitsu and you will find that all three of those points are incorrect. You seem to be referring just to Rorion and his ilk.

According to that book, the Gracies only learnt from Maeda and they fleshed out GJJ entirely on their own despite Maeda only teaching the bare rudiments to Carlos in a short period of time. That really quite incredible. Whats more likely is the Gracies of every stripe are hiding their alot of their past, by not acknowledging that they learnt and trained with other judo schools.

 

[chunglii]

Fascinating stuff. I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle. According to my instructor, what the Gracies invented for BJJ were the self defense techniques. Most of the other techniques are the Judo that was taught to Carlos and the original Gracies. It also seems that the Gracies adopted and continued to carry on Maeda's philosophy of live training and challenge matches. I admit I thought that the challenge match/vale tudo idea was a uniquely Gracie idea. I did not know Maeda traveled the world proving Judo's effectivenes through challenge matches.

 

[KJGould]

I zoned out when the narrator said Kosen meant butt scooting or guard jumping. I thought Kosen referred to a particular college or university in Japan that had Judo? If I am remembering that rightly, the first video posted should be dismissed entirely for perpetuating such bullshit.

 

[Judo Thai Boxer]

I zoned out when the narrator said Kosen meant butt scooting or guard jumping. I thought Kosen referred to a particular college or university in Japan that had Judo? If I am remembering that rightly, the first video posted should be dismissed entirely for perpetuating such bullshit.

Kosen (高専 kōsen?) is an abbreviation of Kōtō senmon gakkō (高等専門学校?), literally 'Higher Speciality School', and refers to the Colleges of Technology in Japan that cater for students from age 15 to 20.

From Wikipedia.

The video's still more accurate than Rener and Ralek's BS though.

 

[Torrid]

Why is this the untold story? Isn't this the story that you read like... everywhere, including wikipedia?

 

[Judo Thai Boxer]

Why is this the untold story? Isn't this the story that you read like... everywhere, including wikipedia?

You'd be surprised how many people I talk to that ask about judo and say, 'Oh yeah, then the Gracies invented ground fighting from Judo.'

 

[_Glorfindel_]

I zoned out when the narrator said Kosen meant butt scooting or guard jumping. I thought Kosen referred to a particular college or university in Japan that had Judo? If I am remembering that rightly, the first video posted should be dismissed entirely for perpetuating such bullshit.

Kosen judo dont exist at all.

The so named Kosen judo = College kodokan judo league, with more emphasis on newaza.

 

[cheesesteak]

This guy couldn't do one pull-up?

 

[Nnedd]

I've made a vow to never listen to Rener Gracie speak. Ever again.


So will someone please transcribe the third video in it's entirety?

kthxbye

 

[chunglii]

I've made a vow to never listen to Rener Gracie speak. Ever again.


So will someone please transcribe the third video in it's entirety?

kthxbye

Rener says after several challenge matches, Helio challenged the best Judo player, Kimura, in Brazil, to a match. Kimura tells Helio he's not good enough, and he must fight the #2 Judo guy, Kato. Helio chokes out Kato in 6 minutes. So, Kimura had to accept the challenge. It took place in front of 200,000 people, and it was the first time a jiu-jitsu championship would be fought outside of Japan. Kimura was 80 pounds heavier than Helio. Rener also mentions that Kimura says if Helio lasted more than 3 minutes, it would essentially be a victory for Gracie. Helio gets throw around many times, because Kimura was so strong. Carlos throws in the towel because Helio wouldn't tap to the shoulder lock. Rener then says Helio told him that he knew he was going to lose to Kimura, but had to test himself against the best anyway. Rener says Helio is the definition of a modern day samurai.