Jiu Jitsu VS BJJ (Complete Guide)
Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) are sometimes thought to be the same, but they actually have different histories, techniques, and goals. In this article, we’ll look at what makes them different, why it’s good to know about these differences, and much more.
By the end of this article, you will have enough information about Jiu Jitsu vs BJJ, and you won’t need to check another article because we will provide you with a complete guide and accurate information.
So, let’s get started!
1. Origin of Jiu-Jitsu and BJJ:
Jiu-Jitsu: If you read the history of Jiu-Jitsu, you will learn that its origins date back thousands of years. In Japan, it was developed by samurai warriors in the feudal system (where land owners controlled society) as a way to fight in situations where they were unarmed or had lost their weapons. Over time, it became the foundation for other martial arts, like Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).
Later, Jigoro Kano, a Judo expert, taught jiu-jitsu to people in the 19th and 20th centuries (1800-2000), making it popular throughout Japan. One of his students, Mitsuyo Maeda, travelled to Brazil in 1914 to teach and popularise the Japanese Jiu-Jitsu.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ): In 1914, after arriving in Brazil, Mitsuyo Maeda began teaching Carlos Gracie, who then taught this art to his brothers, especially Helio Gracie, in 1925. The Gracie family members improved Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, testing it in the fighting ring, and gradually popularising it worldwide.
Today, it is extremely popular. Whether you hear about it from someone or search online, the term ‘Jiu-Jitsu’ often refers to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). BJJ is also known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) because the Gracie family developed and popularized it.
Let’s explore Japanese Jiu-Jitsu from Jigoro Kano and Maeda to today, and BJJ which was developed by the Gracie family.
2. What are Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (JJJ) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)?
Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (JJJ): Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (also spelled Jujutsu or Jujitsu) is a combat sport and traditional martial art (Traditional means doing things in the same way for a long time). It focuses on Stand-up techniques that allow a person to defend themselves by using an opponent’s strength and movements against them. This martial arts style includes various techniques such as strikes, grappling, joint locks, throws, and even some weapon-based techniques.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ): Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a combat sport and martial art that mainly focuses on submission hold (joint locks and choke holds) and ground fighting techniques. It was developed in Brazil in the early 20th century, based on techniques adapted from Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. The main idea of BJJ is to use leverage and technique to control an opponent, even if they are bigger or stronger than you. It is a popular part of mixed martial arts (MMA) training.
| Aspects | Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (JJJ) | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Japan (from 12th century in samurai time) | Brazil (From 1914 by Gracie Family) |
| Focus & Techniques | Stand-up techniques such as strikes, grappling, joint locks, throws, and even some weapon-based techniques | Ground fighting and submission hold techniques such as joint locks and choke holds |
| Purpose | self-defence to protect yourself and, if necessary, cause harm to them. | self-defence to protect yourself without hurting the opponent and sports competition |
| Training Style | Older and more serious | Newer, focusing on practice fighting |
| Belt Ranking System | Kids (Ages 6-15): White, Yellow, Orange, Green. Adult (Age 16+): White, Blue, Purple, Brown, and Black. | Kids (Ages 6-15): White, Grey, Yellow, Orange, Green Read more. Adult (Age 16+): White, Blue, Purple, Brown, Black, Red-and-black, Red-and-White, and Red. Read more. |
| Uniform | Kimono | Traditional Gis |
| Popularity | Less Popular 6K/m Serches on internet | High Popular 1500K/m Serches on internet |
| Competitions | Played in local gyms and on a small scale | Played on a small scale as well as international scale i-e UFC |
| Training Goals | Target weak parts of the body and hit them. | Target larger parts of the body and hold the opponent for a long time on the mat |
| Training Methods | Kata, Randori, Uke and Tori, and much more. | Drilling Techniques, Sparring, Positional Sparring and much more. |
3. Purpose of JJJ and BJJ:
The main goal of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (JJJ) is to use different techniques against your opponent to protect yourself and, if necessary, cause harm to them.
While in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the main focus is on using techniques and body movements to control a bigger or stronger opponent on the ground and win by points without hurting them while also defending yourself. It is also used in sports competitions such as UFC.
4. Improvement and Popularity of JJJ vs BJJ
Japanese Jiu-Jitsu includes many traditional techniques that have been practised since the time of the samurai (from the 12th century) and during Jigoro Kano’s Judo era (18th century). Many of these same techniques are still used today, but they have not been updated over time. Today, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu is popular in specific countries like Japan, but it is not as popular worldwide.
On the other side, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has improved with time. In 1925, the first academy was created in Brazil by the Gracie family members. At that time, the Gracie family tested the techniques, practiced them, and applied them in the fighting ring. The techniques that worked were improved, while those that did not work were removed and replaced with new ones. Gradually, this led to the improvement of BJJ.
When the first BJJ fighter Royce Gracie, competed in the UFC from 1993 and won matches, BJJ gained popularity all around the world. Many members of the Gracie family who hold black belts or higher in BJJ established academies and taught it to others, not only in Brazil but also in the USA, Canada, and many European countries.
Today, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more popular than Japanese Jiu-Jitsu. The monthly internet searches for “Japanese Jiu-Jitsu” in 2024 are around 6,000, while “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu” has approximately 1.5 million searches. This means that BJJ is 250 times more popular than Japanese Jiu-Jitsu.
Below is another picture of Google Trends (a tool that shows the popularity of search terms over time). The blue line represents Japanese jiu-jitsu, which has lower popularity, while the red line represents Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which is higher than Japanese jiu-jitsu.
5. Uniform of JJJ VS BJJ:
The uniforms of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) are similar but not the same. Both use a gi, but there are some difference
Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (JJJ) uniforms focus on protection and resemble traditional martial arts gis, made of thick fabric that fits loosely.
This design helps protect against strikes and falls.
Japanese Jiu-Jitsu gis are usually plain and heavier.
They usually come in white or blue, and the belt colors can vary by school.
On the other hand, BJJ uniforms are designed for grappling and durability, they are more form-fitting and lighter to prevent opponents from easily grabbing them.
This is made from strong, heavy fabric to withstand grappling moves.
They also have reinforced stitching to ensure they last longer.
BJJ uniforms typically come in white, blue, and black, with belts that indicate a person’s progress.
6. Competitions of JJJ VS BJJ:
Japanese Jiu-Jitsu competitions are held only in local gyms and on a small scale. Up to now, there have been no international matches.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions are also held in local gyms and on a small scale, but they are also featured in large international events such as IBJJF, UAEJJF, ADCC, and UFC.
7. Belts Ranking Systems of JJJ VS BJJ
In Japanese jiu-jitsu, the belt colors typically go from white to black. Here’s a breakdown of the main colours:
- White (Ages 6-15)
- Yellow (Ages 6-15)
- Orange (Ages 6-15)
- Green (Ages 6-15)
- Blue (Age 16+)
- Purple (Age 16+)
- Brown (Age 16+)
- Black (Age 16+)
While in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Belt colours start from the white belt and the final belt is the Red belt. Here are the details:
- White (give you the starter person)
- Grey (For kids aged 4-15)
- Yellow (For kids aged 7-15)
- Orange (For kids aged 10-15)
- Green (For kids aged 13-15) Read more about BJJ Kids Belts.
- Blue (Age 16+)
- Purple (Age 16+)
- Brown (Age 16+)
- Black. (Age 19+)
- Red-and-black (Coral Belt): Age 19+
- Red-and-White (Coral Belt): Age 19+
- Red (Age 48+) Read more about adult BJJ ranking system.
8. Training Goals & Methods of JJJ VS BJJ:
In Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (JJJ), the main goal of the training is for students to fight in the field of battle and, as a result, win the fight. Therefore, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu teaches students to target weak parts of the body and strike those areas to weaken the opponent. This was beneficial for samurai warriors in the past.
There are many training methods in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, and some of the techniques included are:
A. Kata (Forms):
Kata is a series of set movements or forms. It’s like a dance where students perform specific techniques in a certain order.
B. Randori (Free Practice):
This is a sparring method where one person defends against multiple attackers or partners. It helps improve reaction time and adaptability.
C. Uke (Receiver) and Tori (Attacker):
Students take turns being the attacker and defender. This helps them learn both sides of techniques.
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), the main goal of training is for students to win fights by earning more points in BJJ competitions. Thus, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teaches students to control larger parts of the body to stop the opponent and hold the opponent for a long time on the mat. This approach is effective today for self-defence and can also be applied in competitive sports. Some of the training methods of BJJ:
A. Drilling Techniques:
Students practice specific moves including repetitions of guard passes, submissions (like armbars and chokes), escapes, positional control, and sweeps repeatedly to improve speed, accuracy, and muscle memory.
B. Sparring (Rolling):
Sparring in BJJ is a live practice session where two practitioners engage in controlled grappling to apply techniques, test skills, and improve their overall performance in a realistic setting. It helps them learn to apply moves in a real situation.
C. Positional Sparring:
This involves starting in specific positions, like guard or mount, and practicing techniques from there. It helps students understand how to escape or control from those positions.
9. Rules of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu VS Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Striking techniques are different in both martial arts, In Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, some styles may allow striking, especially in self-defense scenarios or certain competitions, but the rules can vary depending on the school or style. While in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, striking is not allowed at all. This means that participants cannot hit or kick their opponents. The focus is on grappling techniques and submissions rather than striking.
When it comes to attacking joints, both BJJ and JJJ have rules to ensure safety. In JJJ, while certain joint locks might be allowed, they also need to be executed with respect for the partner’s safety, making sure not to injure them. While in BJJ, participants can use joint locks to submit their opponents, but they must be careful and not apply too much pressure. If someone taps out, the hold must be released immediately.
Throwing techniques are treated differently in the two styles. In JJJ, throws are often part of the curriculum, but they must be performed with control to prevent injuries. The goal is to safely take the opponent down without causing harm. BJJ, on the other hand, does not emphasize throwing techniques. Instead, it focuses more on ground fighting, so there are no rules about throwing opponents since that is not a primary part of the practice.
In short, the Japanese Jiu-Jitsu can be more dangerous because some styles like allow striking and throwing techniques, which can lead to injuries if not controlled properly. While BJJ is generally considered safer because it focuses on grappling and submissions without striking.
10. Which Is Better: Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ?
Choosing between Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu depends on your personal goals. If you want to learn self-defence and are okay with hurting your opponent if necessary, then Japanese Jiu-Jitsu might be the best choice for you. This style focuses on traditional techniques that have not changed much over time.
On the other hand, if you want to defend yourself without hurting your opponent, learn new martial arts techniques, or compete in events like MMA fights, then BJJ is the better option.
In my opinion, BJJ is better because it includes everything you can learn in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, plus many other techniques that are not taught in JJJ. BJJ is more modern and offers a wider variety of skills to practice.
Short Overview of the Article:
In the beginning, we discussed the origin of Jiu-Jitsu and BJJ, including the history of how Jiu-Jitsu was originally created by the Japanese, which is why it is called Japanese Jiu-Jitsu. Then, in 1914, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was developed from Japanese Jiu-Jitsu by the Gracie family. Later, in 1925, they improved Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and gave it the name Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Throughout the article, we used the term “JJJ” for Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and “BJJ” for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
After that, we discussed the differences between Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (JJJ) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), such as their purpose, improvements, popularity, and uniforms. We then talked about the different rules of both martial arts, followed by a discussion on competitions, belt rankings, training goals, and methods. Finally, we explored which martial art is better.
We hope you enjoy our article, and if you have any questions, feel free to comment below!
FAQs
1. How Matches End in Japanese and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:
In Japanese Jiu-Jitsu combines submission techniques with strikes. This means that after a submission move, a fighter may strike their opponent to ensure they can’t fight back. While in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a match ends when one athlete taps out, which means they accept defeat and can no longer continue. This tapping is a clear signal that they have been caught in a submission hold. If one fighter earns more points by using effective techniques, the referee will declare them the winner.
2. Which Fighting Techniques Mostly Focus on Ground Fighting JJJ or BJJ?
In Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, there are only a few ground fighting techniques; most of them focus on standing techniques. In contrast, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is completely focused on ground fighting techniques, with only a few standing techniques.
3. What is the safest martial art?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is the safest martial art for kids, adults, and even seniors because it focuses on grappling instead of striking, which reduces the risk of serious injuries. The “tap out” system also ensures a controlled and safe practice environment.
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