BJJ...a Western Art?

[bushido_man96]

Would you consider BJJ to be a Western Martial Art?

Just a thought to put out and generate some discussion. The floor is yours!!

[tallgeese]

Good question.

I suppose, it's formation was largely a western thought process, even if aspects came from other eastern arts. That's a very western concept in and of itself. I guess the best thing to do would be ask the powers that be in the ruling circles and see what they think.

I'm leaning towards yes, western.

[ps1]

I never thought about it too much. It certainly has the western thought process of taking what you like and leaving the rest. But, in many ways, it pays homage to its Asian heritage.

[bushido_man96]

Thanks for contributing thus far, guys.

I agree about the Western thought process that has made this style what it is today. I also agree that it does have a base in an Eastern style. So, I'm sure that there is likely to be as many yes answers as there could be no, but I am interested in seeing what individual takes on the matter are.

[ps1]

If you're asking for a more direct answer...I kinda skirted the question didn't I... I would say yes. Here is my reasoning:

1. It was honed and redeveloped in Brazil...a western country.

2. It's main strength isn't in its current techniques...rather the addition and modification of techniques as they are found effective. This is a big nono in many eastern styles; you stick to what the founder did and do not vary it at all.

3. Most of the development and growth in the art is occurring in the Americas...both south and north.

[bushido_man96]

Thanks for the answers, ps1.

[Throwdown0850]

Thanks for contributing thus far, guys.

I agree about the Western thought process that has made this style what it is today. I also agree that it does have a base in an Eastern style. So, I'm sure that there is likely to be as many yes answers as there could be no, but I am interested in seeing what individual takes on the matter are.

your correct, it derives from Kodokan -.- here's the link-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_jiu-jitsu

[bushido_man96]

Thanks for link, Throwdown. I remembered the name Maeda from reading some of my BJJ books. Maeda actually referred to his style as Jujitsu because Kano didn't like the idea of his students fighting in challenge matches. So as not to offend Kano, he said that he did Jujitsu.

[sperki]

I've never studied BJJ, but the Brazilian in the name would lead me to believe that it is a western ma. I don't think I had really considered its eastern roots before. After looking at the wikipedia link you could make a strong argument that BJJ is an eastern art with a dash of new technique added. But really what ma doesn't change a little from generation to generation? Maybe somebody that is more familiar with BJJ and judo or jujutsu can say how different or similar they are.

[tallgeese]

Having come out of a system heavily influenced by standing JJJ, and having studied grappling arts for awhile, I can say that there ireally is a signifigant difference in application. Yes, there is certainly a root present there, however, it's grown very much into it's own entitiy.