Leo did a good job of pointing out the differences between the two.

But there are very wrong statements that need to be corrected for the benefit of those who simply don't know:

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Judo is japanese, jujitsu is brazillian

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Judo and JuJitsu are Japanese.

As for the name "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu" It's a generic term for Jiu-Jitsu practiced in Brazil. It came about as a way of competing with the term "Gracie Jiu-Jitsu". At least thats the story I heard.

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ive heard this is because helio gracie was is such a little guy that he had trouble making the standup holds work

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Helio focused on groundwork because the Gracie family was taught Kosen Judo (which is focused on groundwork) from Maeda. Supposedly Helio improved the Jiu-Jitsu he learned because of his smaller stature.

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judo is more like karate and other standing fighting!

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Judo and Karate are nothing alike. Judo, as typically taught in the US, is focused on throws, with very little in the way punching and kicking. Karate is just the opposite.

Having dabbled a bit in judo, jujitsu, and backhold wrestling, as well as doing a fair bit of TKD, I'd suggest that whether to take up Judo or JJ could be influenced by whether you've done any other styles before. If you've tried striking arts then jujitsu would allow you to keep and use some of these whilst also learning serious grappling. JJ also has the bonus that some styles include weapon training (if that appeals to you). That being said, judo is great too.

I'd take jiu-jitsu. Dooesn't matter if it's Brazillian or japanese. Personally I've done Brazillian j for 2 years amd I've never had more fun.

Leo, I should have explained this better. Jujitsu is what it is, I didn't mean to imply that Jujitsu changed, sorry. What I should have said is Dr. Jigoro Kano after taking out many of the dangerous techniques formed "Judo" and I believe he is its founder.

Everyone here is right...your choice. Ju jitsu students do compete with judo students at judo tournaments. But not usually the other way around. Jujitsu students initially have a broader knowledge of chokes and locks. Judo students don't have a knowledge of locks beyond arm locks and they tend to get creamed by leg and wrist locks. Jujitsu students study judo to learn better control in their matwork and throws...Jujitsu really doesn't study pinning and throws the way judo does. To be a well rounded judo player you need to be equally effective in standing and matwork, not so for jujitsu students.

Judo came from JJ. BJJ came from judo. So, really, what came first? One of Kano's students went to Brazil, married and stayed; but, didn't have the rank to formally teach judo. So, he called what he taught jujitsu. Kano studied and mastered multiple schools of jujitsu, but didn't like the fact that students got injured all the time. So he simplified and streamlined techniques and eliminated the dangerous and ineffective ones and called it judo. (check out the most recent biography on Kano).

wasn't it also called 'Kano Jujitsu' in the early days?

I've been studing Japanese Jiu jitsu for about four and a half years now, My question to you is how confused do you want to get? The more I learn, The more I realise how little I know.
Judo was developed as a safer way to practise traditional jiu jitsu and therefore judo's techniques are generally modifications of jiu jitsu techniques. They both follow the same principals, eg breaking opponents balance, yeilding to force etc.
A good traditional jiu jitsu dojo may be harder to find than a judo dojo, but you may be lucky and find them both rolled into one.
I'd say look for whats available and go try them, see what you like, The best martial art is the one you enjoy because you'll stick with it.

Other thing I noticed, jiu-jitsu is NOT Japanese, that's something American and Brazillian. Jujutsu is Japanese. The spelling matters as they are 2 entirely different words and actually define styles of jujutsu from eachother these days.





From what I've been able to find out The "i" in Jiu-jitsu represents a chinese influence in the art. Not entirely sure if thats correct but I thought I'd chuck it out there and see what happens.

I'm also new to this forum thing and don't know how to get this writing out of the quote box