Jiu-Jitsu is known as the most ancient, perfect and efficient form of martial art/self-defence. Its origin although contradictory is directly linked to India, China, Japan and then Brazil, where it was further developed into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
History facts highlight that the practice of Jiu-Jitsu had started many years ago in India, where Buddhism was strongly practiced. At that time the way of travelling was either by sea or land, in both cases violent robbery attack against the travellers including close by monasteries were monges lived at.
To defend them against the attackers, the monges came up with a “new” form of martial art – Jiu-Jitsu. Meaning: “soft or gentle art” which is made of three main basic principles: technique, leverage and base.
After many years due to its effectiveness and existence, it arrived in China and subsequent in Japan. It was in Japan that Jiu Jitsu received more recognition for its effectiveness and became better known around the world. It was also in Japan where the gi (kimono; clothing used to train in) was invented.
From Japan it was introduced in Brazil in 1914 by the Judo and prize fighter; Mitsuyo Maeda. In 1917 Carlos Gracie - 14 year old son of Gastão Gracie a local politician who helped Mitsuyo Maeda settle in Brazil, watched a demonstration by Maeda at the Teatro da Paz and decided to learn judo (also known at the time as "Jiu-Jitsu" or "Kano Jiu-Jitsu"). Maeda accepted Carlos as a student and Carlos went on to become a great exponent of the art and ultimately, with his younger brother Hélio Gracie became the founder of the modern and ultimate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In 1921, Gastão Gracie and his family moved to Rio de Janeiro where a few years later in 1925 the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy was opened at the following address: Rua Marquês de Abrantes, Bairro do Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro.