BJJ and Jujutsu naturally have a lot in common but also many differences, and it’s worth knowing how to separate the two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jiu-Jitsu or Jujutsu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
First, I would like to begin with the names jiu-jitsu and Jujutsu and clear up any misunderstandings. Today the word jiu-jitsu refers to the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Still, jiu-jitsu and Jujutsu are just different translations of the same Japanese characters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also come across the wording ju-jitsu. The translation of the Japanese characters is “the gentle art,” and all spellings are just different ways of writing it in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So while jiu-jitsu and Jujutsu are just two spellings of the same thing, for clarity, we will use jiu-jitsu only for BJJ and Jujutsu for the Japanese martial art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is Japanese Jujutsu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Like all old martial arts, Japanese Jujutsu is a system first designed for use on battlefields and for self-defense. The earlier versions of the martial art were used mainly to deal with weapon attacks and armored opponents, in which cases bare-limb striking was ineffective, so joint locks, throws, and immobilizations were favored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Edo period, when peace ensued in Japan, Jujutsu began to transform into a hand-to-hand fighting system used for self-defense. This was when some striking techniques were implemented, again effective in an era where fighters did not wear armor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The term jujutsu itself was not coined before the 17th century. When used, it was an umbrella term for multiple fighting styles, each slightly different but all grappling-centered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is an incredibly dense version of the history of Japanese Jujutsu, which spans centuries and hundreds of styles and iterations. Still, the important part is that the techniques, traditions, and principles have given birth to judo and, through judo, to many other styles like BJJ, sambo, and aikido.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is BJJ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a grappling martial art and a combat sport<\/a>. The Gracie family in Brazil created it as a self-defense and fighting system, who Mitsuyo Maeda taught judo. Focusing more on the ground fighting<\/a> aspect than the transition from standing to the ground, BJJ is the most complex and rich submission system out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the 20th century, it was used and popularized by the Gracie family, among other lineages in Brazil, for no-rules fights and challenges. BJJ uses technique<\/a>, leverage, and body mechanics to allow a person to dominate and incapacitate another on the ground, regardless of their size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BJJ gained worldwide prominence with the creation of the UFC and the rise of modern MMA, again through the efforts of the Gracie family. Today, BJJ has multiple divisions, like grappling-only sports BJJ, the original self-defense BJJ, and jiu-jitsu modified to work in MMA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n BJJ is descended from Japanese Jujutsu, but it takes much more elements from Jigoro Kano’s judo, which was the first system to remove striking altogether and focus much more on live training than on technique and kata. Then BJJ was molded in no holds barred fights into what we know today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sports version of BJJ is a strict grappling-only competition. Unlike most other grappling combat sports, the emphasis here is not on takedowns or pins but entirely on ground fighting. The best way to win a match is by submission. Still, different positions are scored with points<\/a> determining the winner if no submission is finished.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knee-on-belly – 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n Takedown – 2 points<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sweep – 2 points<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guard pass – 3 points<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back control – 4 points<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back mount – 4 points<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mount – 4 points<\/p>\n\n\n\n Striking is strictly forbidden, as are big throws, suplexes, and slams. The IBJJF also restricts allowed submissions for different levels, with the more dangerous techniques like neck cranks<\/a> and help hooks only available at high ranks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jujutsu is practiced in most places like a traditional martial art, meaning it has very few, if any, competitions. With that said, some organizations see the fundamental flaw of not doing live sparring and competition and have forms of sports jujutsu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The JJIF has a few different rule sets. Aside from competitions in a BJJ ruleset, they also have a Fighting ruleset allowing semi-contact striking while at a distance, but once in the clinch, strikes are no longer allowed, and throws and takedowns take over. On the ground, the grappling is typical jiu-jitsu with a gi. <\/p>\n\n\n\nKey Differences Between BJJ and Japanese Jujutsu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Brazilian](\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Brazilian-Jiu-Jitsu-vs-Japanese-Jiu-Jitsu.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Rules<\/h3>\n\n\n\n