The next is alleged to be a video of Mitsuyo Maeda (1878-1941), the person who famously introduced Jiujitsu to Brazil from Japan and (allegedly, since there may be some debate about whether or not he was taught instantly, or by a pupil) taught Carlos Gracie of the Gracie household, who went on to popularise Jiujitsu within the nation, creating the Brazilian variation of the artwork, which hit the large time after UFC 1 within the USA within the Nineties, and is now practiced the world over.
I’d suggest watching it at half pace -( go to Settings/ playback pace/ 0.5 ) – since like many movies of the period (circa 1908), it’s sped up.
What do you assume? My first response is that that is clearly the Professional Wrestling of the time. You may see that the efficiency is finished purely as a form of leisure, not as an actual battle in any respect. These are actual jiujitsu strikes being demonstrated (sacrifice throw, hip throw, and many others) nevertheless it’s additionally scripted like a really Chaplinesque slapstick comedy involving members of the group getting up on stage to affix in.
As I discussed lately, I’ve began taking my son to look at native Professional Wrestling occasions as a result of he actually enjoys them, and it’s given me a higher respect for Professional Wrestling and the abilities of the performers.
Mitsuyo Maeda was identified to have carried out problem matches as a approach of incomes a dwelling, however I’ve all the time thought that his stage identify, “Rely Koma”, sounded extra like a sideshow wrestling identify than the rest. And right here’s proof that he was incomes his dwelling as an entertainer. That’s to not say that he couldn’t have additionally engaged in critical problem matches, however I can’t see how these had been placing meals on his desk.
First although, now we have to be assured that that is Mitsuyo Maeda. It definitely seems to be a bit like him. However can we make certain?
The discover is credited to an Instagram account referred to as origensdojiujitsu the textual content subsequent to the video is in Portuguese, and the Google translation reads:
“Within the twentieth century it was widespread for Jiu-jitsu performances in Theaters and Circuses all through the West, many Japanese emigrants, as a approach of surviving, entered the World of Present and remodeled their Martial information into pure leisure.
Because of the quite a few shows in theaters and circuses, the Mushy Artwork gained notoriety within the West, it was widespread for the fighter to carry out and even throw challenges to the spectators of the Viewers, a typical apply utilized by Conde Koma and his compatriots.
In silent cinema, some shows in brief movies served as a trailer between one movie session and one other, in Brazil and on the earth, each the armed forces and the reveals contributed to the popularization of artwork.
In Brazil, the primary exponents traveled each within the navy surroundings and in circus reveals equivalent to Geo Omori, Conde Koma, and Satake, amongst others.”
So, this recording might have been a trailer proven between silent movies. it definitely sounds credible, and if official, it’s a captivating look again on the origins of Brazilian Jiujitsu, and maybe a refreshing break from the powerful man picture that it later grew to become related to.