who created jiu jitsu

Jiu-Jitsu originated centuries ago and has evolved through various cultures. The earliest forms trace back to Buddhist monks in India practicing self- defense techniques. It spread to Japan where it developed into Japanese Jiu- Jitsu. Modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), as it is known today, was created by the Gracie family in Brazil. Carlos Gracie learned traditional Japanese Jiu- Jitsu from Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese Judo master, and modified it with his brother Helio Gracie to emphasize leverage and ground-fighting techniques, creating modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.