Oriental martial arts arouse interest of various kinds among many. Someone is interested from a practical point of view, someone with a commercial, someone with a sports one. Which is understandable, because this is a whole philosophy based on its principles. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a classic example of how the wealth of a nation has been turned into sport and commerce.
The emergence of jujitsu as a martial art
Japan was famous for its warriors and a code of honor for warriors. Since ancient times, various combat techniques have been developed and developed, masters appeared, schools were founded. Jiu-Jitsu appeared during the Sengoku Dynasty. In the 16th century, thanks to the military leader Hisamori Takenouchi, a combination of techniques and techniques of various martial arts took place. Jiu-Jitsu was designed specifically for the battle with the enemy without weapons, because the short distance did not make it possible to use it.
Factors such as the Imjin War and the Chinese Wushu Wrestling influenced martial art. Jiu-jitsu was especially developed during the Tokugawa rule - weapons and their use were prohibited, techniques began to be used to defend without swords or knives. As techniques - captures, strangulation, blocking, throws. Shocks were used only to hit the pain points.
The rise of martial art in Brazil
No matter how the Japanese government protects its culture from external influences, the invasion of knowledge and values still occurred. Likewise, the leak of knowledge and information from the state has become inevitable. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a classic example. Its founder was Mitsue Maeda, who came to Brazil in 1914. He conducted many fights, showing that his art was superior to other techniques, which attracted the interest of the son of a Brazilian aristocrat.
Carlos Gracie became a student of Mitsue (1916), and then, together with his brother Eliu, and the founder of such a martial art as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. After moving to Rio de Janeiro in 1921, he taught this technique to his brothers Oswald, Gastan and Georges. But it was Elihu who was considered his main assistant, although due to poor health he could not fully engage and learn techniques.
Features of the style of struggle
Since the technique practically does not use kicks or hands, the whole fight is on the ground (in the ground). Depending on what goals are pursued (sport or self-defense), with the help of captures, asphyxiation, you can force the enemy to either surrender or neutralize him. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu allows you to defeat an opponent who is superior in weight and size (the same can be said about the classic style of this fight).
The techniques that are used in this martial art are divided into two types. This is leverage and strangulation. The former are aimed at putting the enemy’s limb in a position that causes the joints to rotate in a plane that is not normal for standard functioning. The second is designed to block the access of oxygen to the brain and cause a temporary loss of combat capability. In rare cases, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu also practices abusive practices. This is about technology.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Belts and clothes
The discharge assignment system is different from the traditional Japanese. Brazilian jiu-jitsu implies shorter periods for obtaining student and master degrees. Moreover, the color of the belt also depends on the age of the follower. That is, if a certain number of years has not been reached, a new rank will not be assigned, despite all the achievements and skills.
The white color of the belt means that the person is a beginner. This belt is assigned regardless of age. Blue is received by students who already have certain achievements in martial art. It can be obtained by reaching 16 years. Purple can be earned two years after wearing blue. Its assignment is possible from the age of 16 years, subject to the wearing of a student’s green belt. To get a brown belt, you need at least five years of training. This belt means that the follower has conducted many training sessions, sparring, mastered most of the techniques and worked them out to automatism. It is a transition to black. The black belt is the highest achievement and has several levels. Red or white stripes on it mean different levels of the master. Above the red belt there is no. This is the culmination of learning the style of struggle. Only a few people own it in the world.
For training, special clothing is used. Kimono for Brazilian jiu-jitsu is called gi. It differs from the traditional form in tight cuffs, shorter sleeves. For sporting events, a tight fit gi is used so that none of the rivals have any advantages.
Martial art or sports show?
The history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu dates back a little over a hundred years. It simplified the rules, techniques, system of assigning belts. Despite the fact that its roots stretch from Japan, nothing is left of the eastern philosophy of martial art. But there was a publicity that resembles a well-organized show. Most schools teach the sports direction of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. And it is not known how the battle with an adherent of the traditional school of martial arts of the east can end.