Kodokan Judo and BJJ

The roots of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be traced back to Kodokan Judo, the school founded by Jigoro Kano in 1882. Kano’s philosophy emphasized efficiency, maximum use of leverage, and the concept of seiryoku zenyo—“maximum efficiency with minimum effort.” These principles were foundational to what would later become BJJ, especially the focus on using technique to overcome strength.

Kodokan Judo also introduced structured training methods such as live sparring (randori) and organized competition, which distinguished it from many older Japanese jiu-jitsu styles. When Mitsuyo Maeda and other judoka traveled abroad, they carried with them this evolving art. In Brazil, these Kodokan teachings became the technical and philosophical framework that the Gracies and other pioneers adapted into a new, ground-focused system that would eventually diverge from its judo roots.