The History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:

Jiu-Jitsu, translated as 'the gentle art,' is the oldest form of martial art. It has also been defined with terms like yielding, softness, subtleness, and pliability. Its origins date back to India more than 2,000 years before Christ. From there it spread throughout Asia and eventually settled in Japan.

In 1914, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champion Mitsuo Maeda arrived in Brazil to help establish a Japanese immigration colony. Once in Brazil Gastao Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottish decent, aided him. To show his gratitude, the oriental master taught the ancient secrets of that ancient fighting style to Gastao's son, Carlos Gracie.

Carlos taught Maeda's techniques to his brothers: Oswaldo, Gastao, Jorge and Helio (pictured) and in 1925 they opened the first Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Botafogo, a district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is where the brothers, prompted by Carlos, essentially designed and laid the foundation for 'Brazilian' Jiu-Jitsu.