Maeda’s Travels

Before settling in Brazil, Mitsuyo Maeda embarked on a remarkable journey that took him across the globe. Leaving Japan in 1904, Maeda traveled to the United States, Cuba, Mexico, and much of Europe, demonstrating judo and engaging in challenge matches. His travels served both as cultural exchange and as a testing ground for judo techniques against wrestlers, boxers, and practitioners of other combat sports.

Maeda’s reputation as a skilled fighter earned him the nickname “Count Koma.” By the time he arrived in Brazil in 1914, he had accumulated a wealth of experience adapting his art to different contexts and opponents. This adaptability would heavily influence the way his Brazilian students, particularly the Gracie family, developed their approach—placing emphasis on practical techniques that worked in real fights, not just controlled dojo settings.