Kosen Judo vs. Jiujitsu?
Ever found yourself debating whether Judo or Bjj is the better martial art? I’ve been on a decades-long journey with both, and it’s been quite the ride. Looking back, I remember my younger self being totally hooked on Judo—it was my top pick when I had more energy and strength.
Discover the key differences between Kosen Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), two powerful grappling arts focused on ground fighting, submissions, and control. Learn which is right for you.
Introduction: Kosen Judo vs BJJ – Which Ground Game Reigns Supreme?
If you’re interested in grappling martial arts, chances are you’ve heard of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) — but what about Kosen Judo? While BJJ dominates the world of ground fighting today, Kosen Judo is a traditional Japanese Judo style with a similar emphasis on ne-waza (ground techniques).
Let’s compare Kosen Judo vs BJJ, breaking down their history, techniques, rules, and training philosophy. Whether you're a Judoka, a BJJ practitioner, or just curious about martial arts, this article is for you.
What Is Kosen Judo?
Kosen Judo is a lesser-known form of Judo that originated in Japanese technical colleges (Kōtō Senmon Gakkō) in the early 20th century. Unlike Olympic Judo, which emphasizes throws and stand-up techniques, Kosen Judo allows for extended ground grappling, including guard pulling, sweeps, and submissions.
What Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) was developed in Brazil after Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese judoka, taught Judo to the Gracie family. Over time, they modified the techniques to focus almost exclusively on the ground game — emphasizing position, control, and submission.
Today, BJJ is practiced worldwide and is a key component in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) training.
Kosen Judoka often aim to bring the fight to the mat quickly, using guard pulls or transitions from throws to enter groundwork. Once on the ground, they rely on pins (osaekomi), chokes, and arm locks, maintaining a tight, control-based style.
BJJ Techniques and Rolling Strategy
In BJJ, athletes develop a highly strategic game based on guard retention, sweeps, positional progression, and submissions. BJJ practitioners typically “roll” in sparring, training intensively in live ground grappling scenarios.
Which Is Better: Kosen Judo or BJJ?
That depends on your goals:
✅ Want traditional martial arts with a strong foundation in throws and pins? Kosen Judo is a great fit.
✅ Prefer a modern grappling system with a focus on submissions, flow, and competition? BJJ might suit you best.
✅ Interested in self-defense or MMA? BJJ has proven highly effective, though Kosen Judo can complement it well.
Cross-Training: Why Learn Both?
Many martial artists train in both Kosen Judo and BJJ to get the best of both worlds. Judo gives you takedowns, grips, and pins. BJJ teaches you guard retention, submission chains, and live rolling strategies.
Combining the two can make you a more complete grappler, whether for sport, self-defense, or MMA.
Final Thoughts: Tradition Meets Innovation
Kosen Judo and BJJ may share a common root in early Judo, but each evolved into a distinct martial art with unique strengths. Kosen Judo preserves a traditional, control-oriented style, while BJJ offers a modern, flexible approach to ground fighting.
No matter which path you take, both arts teach discipline, technique, and mental toughness — and both are incredibly rewarding.
