The Japanese Martial Art known as Jiu-Jitsu which means the 'Gentle Art', has its origins which dates back to more than 2000 years BC.
Development in Martial Arts is said to have originated in India amongst the religious Monks, who practiced physical exercise as a means to improve health and also as a method of self defence. Through travelling Monks, these means of physical exercise and self defence were spread through China where Martial Arts began to take on a more sophisticated approach.
Such Martial Arts were eventually taken to Feudal Japan where the warrior class called the Samurai began to develop a form of combat called Jiu-Jitsu which included weaponry, strikes, throws and ground grappling. Governed by the code of 'Bushido' (Way of the Warrior), the Samurai was highly respected and sought after by many rulers of Kingdoms in feudal Japan. There were many schools that taught Jiu-Jitsu in Japan but as modernism took place with the introduction of firearms along with sociological changes, the art of Jiu-Jitsu
began to decline.
 Jigoro Kano (1860-1938), founder of the Martial Art known as Judo began his Martial Arts training studying Jiu-Jitsu. During his training, Kano concluded that there were many limitations with classical Jiu-Jitsu. One of these limitations included unrealistic training methods where students learned by memorizing choreographed movements called kata. This method of training does not allow for testing your techniques with a resisting opponent, and so Kano began the Martial Art of Judo.
Judo allowed students to train using full force in their technique. These techniques included throws and submission holds with more dangerous methods taken out which were inherent in Jiu-Jitsu. Judo became very popular in a short period of time and was often tested in controlled competition and challenges with other styles at the time.
Kano realising the potential of Judo began to send representatives to the United States in hopes of the art becoming an Olympic Sport. A realisation which was achieved in 1964.
 Mitsuyo Maeda (1878-1941), a Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champion and representative of Kano
migrated to Brazil in 1914. .jpg) Maeda was instrumental in establishing a Japanese immigrant community in Brazil which was aided by Gastao Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottish descent. As an expression of his gratitude for Gracie's assistance, Maeda taught the Brazilian's oldest son Carlos the essential secrets of his style of Jiu-Jitsu which had been modified due to challenge matches he had taken part with wrestlers and boxers during his travels in the United States. Carlos taught Maeda's techniques to his four brothers, and in 1925 they opened the first Jiu-Jitsu academy in Brazil.
Carlos Gracie (1902-1994), the oldest Gracie brother learned from Maeda for approximately 2-4 years. This left the Gracie family to learn among themselves refining their technique through challenge matches and no rules fighting, a trend which particulary the younger brother; Helio Gracie, took up enthuiastically.
Helio Gracie (1913 - 2009)
 Helio along with his brother Carlos is widely recognised as the founders of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Helio is the father of world renowned Jiu-Jitsu fighters Rickson, Royce, Royler, Relson Gracie and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) founder Rorion Gracie.
Other notable family members who have fought representing Jiu-Jitsu and dedicated themselves to spreading the art includes the son of Carlos, Carlson Gracie (1935-2006), who produced one of the most successful Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) teams with students including Murilo Bustamante, Mario Sperry, Walid Ismail, Ricardo Liborio, Vitor Belfort etc, the brothers Renzo, Ryan and Ralph Gracie. Also the Gracie's cousins - the Machado brothers.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became prominent in the early 1990's due to the no rules fighting event called the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) which saw the son of Helio Gracie - Royce, defeating all opponents convincingly using the techniques of Jiu-Jitsu. This opened the door for the family's art to spread into the United States and also creating great interest Eastward where Rickson Gracie would take part in fighting events against the best Japanese fighters of its day. First in 'Vale tudo' Japan then PRIDE FC, rekindling the memories of his father's great matches against Japanese Judokas, particularly against the legendary Masahiko Kimura (1917-1993) in 1955.
 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu today is a popular Martial Sport with Gi (Sports Jiu-Jitsu) and also No Gi/ Submission Grappling with many national tournaments around the world including an annual World (Mundials), Pan American, European and Asian Championship. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is an effective self defence system in many situations and also essential training for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes.
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_Jiu-Jitsu
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