Did Jujutsu Have Ground Fighting Before Brazil?

#bjj #jujutsu #martialartshistory #brazilianjujitsu #BJJhistory #judo #jujutsu #grappling #martialarts #combatsports #valetudo #newaza Did Japan invent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? This video explores the true origins of BJJ, tracing its roots to 19th century Japanese Jujutsu, the rise of Kodokan Judo, and the overlooked influence of Mataemon Tanabe’s ground fighting (newaza). Long before the Gracies, Japanese grapplers were already using positional control, submissions, and pressure-based groundwork that closely resemble modern BJJ. From the Meiji Restoration and Jigoro Kano’s modernization of Jujutsu, to Mataemon Tanabe exposing the limits of early Judo, and Mitsuyo Maeda carrying these methods across the US, Europe, and Brazil—this is the untold story of how grappling evolved across cultures. Rather than being invented from scratch, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu may represent the refinement of existing systems under the pressure of real fighting environments like Vale Tudo. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Did BJJ really start in Brazil? 0:37 – What happened to Jujutsu after the Samurai era? 1:17 – How Jigoro Kano created modern Judo 1:49 – Who was Mataemon Tanabe? 3:02 – How Tanabe dominated with groundwork 3:21 – Did Tanabe force Judo to evolve? 5:10 – How Mitsuyo Maeda spread grappling globally 7:41 – Why Brazil became the perfect environment 8:37 – Did Brazil invent BJJ—or refine it? Did Brazil create BJJ—or perfect something that already existed? And which grappling art is strongest today? 👇 Let me know below If you enjoyed this, check out my video on Bartitsu and how Japanese Jujutsu influenced Europe:    • Bartitsu: The Forgotten Victorian Krav Maga!   📚 Check Out These Recommended Books to go Deeper! (Affiliate Links) The Text-Book of Ju-Jutsu as Practised in Japan (1905) – S.K. Uyenishi eBook: https://amzn.to/45EvmDS Paperback: https://amzn.to/49rMfD4 Jiu Jitsu: History, Traditions, Methods, Knowledge, Philosophy – Jonathan Cussins eBook: https://amzn.to/3Pf5CZD Paperback: https://amzn.to/4sS7QfS Hardcover: https://amzn.to/4lzhFNk