Choque: The Untold Story of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil 1856-1949 (Volume 1)
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If he wasn’t fabricating, Capoeira Man had an impressive family background: Captain Gomes Pereira was Antonio Coutinho Gomes Pereira, the naval officer who, on the ship he commanded, personally transported the first jiu-jitsu teachers to Brazil. That seemed to give “Capoeira Man” a veneer of authority, or perhaps impartiality. It isn’t clear which, or why he mentioned it (his letter may have been edited prior to publication).
Dr. Carolino de Leoni Ramos (Chief of Police of Rio State) did not share Capoeira Man’s opinion. He ordered jiu-jitsu rather than capoeiragem to be taught to the civil guards [guardas civis].52
He was criticized for being unpatriotic. The Brazilian military and law enforcement organizations should use the Brazilian game, some objected. Others disagreed. Gazeta de Noticias observed that if capoeiragem is really just the Brazilian version of savate, or originated in Africa, it isn’t particularly patriotic to officially endorse it over some other “fight”.
On more practical grounds, the writer reasonably continued, “capoeiragem demands exceptional agility. Not everyone can learn it. Jiu-jitsu on the contrary, is a ‘defense’ especially for weak people. Its techniques don’t require exceptional strength or agility”.
A jiu-jitsu man would not stand a chance against a good capoeira, he went on, alluding to the encounter between Sada Miyako and Cyriaco in 1909, in which the limitations of jiu-jitsu, or Sada Miyako, were harshly exposed. But the civil guards don’t usually meet people like Cyriaco on the streets, he conceded. Jiu-jitsu is exactly what is needed by law enforcement personnel to deal with the types of situations they are likely to encounter, but without the excessive brutality of capoeiragem.53
The disagreement would not be quickly resolved. Capoeira and “jiu-jitsu-men” would continue to clash in their competition for ring victories, publicity, and government contracts.
On December 31, 1908, in Marigny, France the question whether jiu-jitsu was superior to boxing was answered in less than 10 seconds. Boxer Sam MacVea rushed across the ring in the opening seconds of the first round of his “mixed styles” match with jiu-jitsu expert Matsuda, and knocked him unconscious with a cross to the jaw.54
A reasonable person would have concluded that the sample size of the mixed fights that had at that point been conducted was too small to draw valid conclusions. But maybe that was precisely the point. The sample size would need to be increased with more fights.
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Chapter 2 Notes
Chapter 3
1909
In 1921, one of the most eminent “sportsmen” and martial artists, a master of both jiu-jitsu and capoeiragem, Mario Aleixo, recalled fighting a Japanese jiu-jitsu master named “Saga-Mako” three times in 1904.1 There is no record of a Saga-Mako during that decade. Aleixo may have been alluding to Sada Miyako, but if so his memory failed him. Miyako didn’t arrive in Brazil until 1908.
There may have been a qualified jiu-jitsu instructor in Pernambuco in 1906. That is where and when 2nd tenente Jose Barbosa began his two year course of studies of the Japanese game. At least that is what he said in 1932.2
In any event, with few Japanese immigrants or visitors to teach them, Brazilians who wanted to learn jiu-jitsu had narrow options, at least until 1909. But they were not uninformed.
Literate Brazilians, particularly in the port cities, knew about jiu-jitsu, through reports from the “exterior,” specifically Portugal. O Seculo reported that “luta romana has taken on a new look at the Coliseum of Recreios because the champions there have been challenged by the well-known Japanese jiu-jitsu champion “Raku”.3
For the benefit of those who might not have heard of “jiu-jitsu”, O Seculo described jiu-jitsu as the “extremely complicated science, invented and cultivated by the Japanese, to effortlessly throw the devil to the ground”.4
Raku was the stage-name of Sadakazu Uenishi, author of Text Book of Ju-Jutsu as Practiced in Japan.5 Raku’s book was published in 1905 and so was accessible to any Brazilian who could read English. They could also read the copiously illustrated French book on jiu-jitsu that came to Brazil sometime in the recent past.6 In fact, they could hardly avoid reading about or seeing jiu-jitsu, as long as they read mass circulation periodicals and watched movies.7
Bernardinho Machado reported from Lisbon that “there continues to be great enthusiasm for the matches between Raku and the other champions at Coliseum of Recreios. The fury of the fights has reached exaggerated proportions. The coliseum is packed every night”.8
After having achieved colossal success by beating everyone in Portugal [teve um successo colossal, venceu todos], including the German wrestler “Schkmann,” Raku proceded to Madrid in August where he performed at Circo de Parish, with the lady jiu-jitsu stylist Chelito.9
Raku was scheduled to fight in Rio in 1909. He was contracted by Paschoal Segreto, the king of luta romana promoters. If it had happened, Raku would have preceded Conde Koma by five years. But it didn’t. The honor of being the first Japanese jiu-jitsu fighter and teacher belonged to someone else. In fact, to a duo. And it was a total accident.
Sada Miyako and Mme. Kakiara
The first confirmed professional jiu-jitsu fighters in Brazil were Sada Miyako and Mme. Kakiara, who arrived in Rio at 1 a.m, Wednesday December 16, 1908, on board the Brazilan Navy cruiser Benjamin Constant.
While on route from Honolulu to Japan, May 22, 1908, the Benjamin Constant, commanded by Captain Antonio Coutinho Gomes Pereira, detoured toward Wake Island to avoid bad weather. While reconoiterring the island they encountered more than 20 survivors from the Japanese fishing boat Kokin-maru. The Benjamin Constant transported them to Yokohama, where all but three disembarked. One of the three was Frome Ise who remained on the ship as a taifeiro [steward’s assistant].
The other two signed on as “jiu-jitsu instructors. They were Sada Miyako and Mme. Kakiara.10
Sada Miyako and mme. Kakiara left the ship and soon found work at Pavilhão Internacional (telephone 180) at avenida Central, 154, located at the corner of rua de Santo Antonio 90, next to Companhia Jardim Botanico. By April 18 they were appearing daily, sometimes twice a day. Like other jiu-jitsu men and professional wrestlers, Sada offered prizes to anyone who could beat him.
Pavilhão Internacional was one of many venues operated by Paschoal Segreto, in São Paulo, Rio, and Nictheroy (across the bay). Paschoal Segreto was the “creador dos divertimentos populares no Rio”, [creator of popular entertainment in Rio] the man who made entertainment available to ordinary, middle-class people, formerly something that only a gente de dinheiro [people with money] could enjoy. He was the man who introduced movies to Rio.11 His theaters included Salão Paris o Rio, (1900) Moulin Rouge (1901-1907), Eden Theatro (1906), Maison Moderne, Theatro Carlos Gomes, Theatro S. Pedro, Theatro S. Jose, Cinema Rio (in Nichteroy), Theatro Variedade, and Theatro Apollo, (the latter two in São Paulo).
Not all presented lutas. Pavilhão Interncaional was one of the several that did. It was a barração [large shed] where bearded ladies were exhibited along with luta romana e de box and other phenomena. It was said that you could travel the world in 40 minutes [Volta ao mundo em quarenta minutos] at Pavilhão Internacional.12
They appeared daily between April 18 and May 10, 1909 at least, and possibly before and after as well. Sada also worked under contract with the Ministro da Marinha, presumably teaching jiu-jitsu.13
The Debut of Sada Miyako
On Sunday April 18, 1909 Advertisments in in the daily papers Gazeta de Noticias and O Paiz, announced that two Japanese professors of the Japanese sport of “Jiu-Jitzu” [o sport japonez do JIUT-JITZU], by the names of Sada Miyako and Mme. Kakiara, would be appearing twice that day. The afternoon “matinee” started at 2:15. The evening “soiree” show started at 8:45. They offered five “libras” of gold to anyone who could avoid being thrown to the ground in a 3-minute match.14
Rules of Jiu-Jtsu Clarified
The public was highly familiar with luta romana and possibly to a lesser extent savat
e. Luta romana in particular must have been virtually self-evident. Two large men tried to throw each other tothe ground. It was obvious when one lost.. He was on the ground and the other man wasn’t.
Jiu-jitsu therefore was somewhat perplexing. Although the shows had been underway for 10 days and had stimulated much interest, the management of Pavilhão Internacional felt that the public could enjoy the matches more if the the rules were explained.15
Jiu-jitsu was specifically contrasted with the more intuitively understandable luta romana. Unlike luta romana, it was explained, being on the ground, even on both shoulders, did not constitute defeat. In fact, the article elaborated, “jiu-jitsuanos” had techniques that they deliberately went to the ground in order to apply. A jiu-jitsu match was decided when one combatant was subjected to pain that he could not not endure, and signaled surrender by tapping the ground or opponent’s body two times with the palm of his hand.
The only other sport that can be compared to jiu-jitsu, and even then only vaguely, it was clarified, was luta livre, or as the Swiss call it, “lutte au caleçou”, or, as the English call it “catch as catch can”. Four techniques were prohibited in a jiu-jitsu match (or at least the matches at Pavilhão Internacional). They were (1) dedos nos olhos [fingers in the eyes], (2) fractura dos dedos [breaking the fingers], (3) camagamento da columna vertebral ou clavicular [bending the spine or collar bone], and (4) torçegão nas partes sexuaes [twisting the sexual parts]. A man should signal his submission or concession by tapping with his hand twice [algum dos adversaries se de por vencido, batendo com a mão as duas pancadas de estylo].
It was also pointed out that jiu-jitsu was a sport, but one with great self-defense potential even against weapons, with the exception of guns [menos arma de fogo]. The costumes that “jiu-jitsuanos” wore perplexed many people. The article explained that because jiu-jitsu was intended in Japan for street self-defense, clothes were worn when practicing and competing.
Sada Miyako’s performance schedule from April 19 to May 10 is summarized below. Results were generally not reported. That was not unusual. Jiu-jitsu and luta romana matches were held every night [ha espectaculo todas as noites] as part of a full slate of variety entertainments that included comedians, musical acts, dramatic performances, with short movies shown in between.16 Management evidently and rationally felt that it was more pressing to let people know what was going to happen rather than what had already happened.
Sada Miyako’s first challenge match took place on Monday, April 19, 1909, the day after his debut. It was in fact arranged in advance (as it was announced on his debut day). Challengers did not simply walk up to the stage, but rather had to sign up and wait for a scheduled day.
The challenger was Arnoldo Jose Ferreira. Arnoldo was described as an 18 year old Portuguese with a 1 meter chest. He had previously defeated the celebrated jiu-jitsu professor Raku in Lisbon at the Colyseu dos Recreios [vencedor de um match com o celebre japonez Raku]. Arnoldo challenged Raku to a 10-minute “match” of jiu-jitsu. The result was not reported.17
Miyako’s next challenge was the following day Tuesday, April 20, 1909. The challenger was identified simply as a French amateur [amador Francez]. The specific rules were not mentioned but presumably the French amateur would try to stay on his feet for three minutes. The result was not reported.18
What people thought about Sada Miyako at the time was not extensively revealed (although his name became legendary later). One article however is suggestive, if not of Sada’s abilities, then about the hype surrounding him. According to the article, “there is now at Concerto Avenida a Japanese who is said to have a career as the greatest jiu-jitsu athlete. It is said that he has even defeated the well-known champion Raku. This is false. Everyone who knows jiu-jitsu knows that Raku has only been beaten by two men, Tarro Miyako and Dialutzu”.19 This indicates that Raku set a high standard, but not the highest. Sada Miyako was not regarded as being at the level of Raku.
On Monday April 26, 1909 it was announced that on that day, Sada Miyako would face four men who would push a cane with all of their strength against his throat [empurrar com toda a força uma bengala encostada na garganta]. Sada Miyako would resist effortlessly, while smoking a cigar [o japonez do <
Ads appeared in several of the Rio papers almost every day stating that Sada Miyako and Mme. Kakiara would be fighting every night [disputada todas an noites] at Concerta Avenida or something very similar. For example “Sada Miyako will continue his ever more exciting matches of jiu-jitsu, with lively movies between sessions”.21
On Wednesday April 28, 1909 it was announced in the Theatros columns that Sada would take on the Syrian fighter Rich Jorge that same day, in what promised to be a very interesting jiu-jitsu match [haveára um match de jiu-jitsu, entre o lutador syrio Rich Jorge e o japonez Sada Miyako, que promette ser interessantissimo]. The rules of jiu-jitsu were once again explained, in the Sport column.22
Jiu-Jitsu versus Capoeiragem
Cyriaco was a likeable, light-skinned, mixed-race man [mulato alto, mestiço]. He was thin [magro], from Campinas, quick and agile and worked as a stevedore. His full name was Cyriaco Francisco da Silva. He was known by the nickname “Moleque Cyriaco”. Cyriaco represented capoeiragem. His specialty was the “sting ray tail” kick [rabo de arraia].23
It was a mixed styles fight, capoeiragem versus jiu-jitsu, the national school [escola nacional] versus the Japanese school [escola japoneza]. At least that’s the way it turned out. It is not clear that Sada Miyako’s challenges were open to strikers. At least the rules of jiu-jitsu that were announced made no mention of striking. Either way, it affected how jiu-jitsu challenge matches were conducted in the future.
It was Miyako who issued the challenge, as usual offering a prize to anyone who could defeat him [desafiava a qualquer pessoa para luctar, promettendo premios aquelle que o conseguisse subjuga].
Cyriaco, bare-footed, and his supporters showed up at the Pavilhão Internacional at the usual time on Saturday May 1. But Sada Miyako declined to fight Cyriaco. The public loudly protested until Sada acquiesced. According to O Paiz, Cyriaco put his game plan into action, jumping like a cat and then crouching so much that he seemed to be sitting. Miyako looked for an opening to close the distance. Suddenly, Cyriaco unleashed a powerful kick, a “rabo de arraia” as capoeiras call it, that struck Miyako on his right temple, knocking him down instantly.
After 20 seconds, Miyako stood up, ready to resume the contest. Cyriaco knocked him down again with another rabo de arraia. That almost killed Miyako [quasi mata de novo o japonez]. Miyako then conceded defeat and left the arena. Cyriaco’s supporters were delirious with joy and carried him to the editorial office of O Paiz, where he was congratulated for defending the national school, capoeiragem, against the Japanese school, jiu-jitsu. Cyriaco was proclaimed to be a champion [Cyriaco, é, pois, um campeão].24
Despite this very convincing demonstration of the limitations of jiu-jitsu, Miyako continued giving his shows. He may have taken a week off to recuperate. Newspaper ads are lacking for the first week of May. On Monday May 10, 1909, O Paiz announced that “Sada Miyako will continue the lutas of ‘jiu-jitsu’ that have aroused such interest”[Sada Miyako continuará as luctas do ‘jiu-jitsu’ que tanto interresse tem despertado]. That was the last ad. He may have continued, as the ad stated. However, there is no record available at this time.
Miyako’s defeat probably had a negative impact on public perceptions. If a simple stevedore could crush a jiu-jitsu champion, capoeiragem must be the better art, some people clearly concluded. But jiu-jitsu partisans saw it differently. It isn’t the art alone, but the art applied by a man. Jiu-jitsu was scientific and everyone knew how powerful science was. Maybe the man, Sada Miyako, was lacking some of the elements needed to successfully represent
the game. Perhaps a more decorated jiu-jitsu man could represent the art more satisfactorily. Certainly, that is what commentators later concluded.
Visit
Sada Miyako may have gone to São Paulo. In June of 1910, the Japanese Imperial Navy warship Ykoma paid a visit to Rio. Good will and public relations events included demonstrations of espada, esgrima, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, boxing (described as “jogo Inglez”), and Japanese sword dancing [kenbu]. In addition to local dignitaries, members of the “colonia japoneza” of São Paulo attended. Among them were S. Sekiguchi and Sada Miako [Miyako’s name was also written Miako and Miaco] both described as members of the Japanese colony in São Paulo [membros da colonia japoneza da capita de S. Paulo].25
Departure
Sada Miyako and Mme. Kakiara departed but Paschoal Segreto planned to bring jiu-jitsu back, but this time a more famous expert, namely Raku (Sadakazu Uyenishi). In the mean time, luta romana and luta livre continued. The following is a brief sketch of what happened.
The results of the fourth night of the 5th Luta Romana Grande Campeonato Internacional, with a prize of 30,000 francos, at Concerto Avenida, Friday August 6, 1909, were reported. Competitors were required to weigh at least 98 kilos to be qualified to enter. World champion Peterson (112 kilos) defeated Austrian champion Schneider (110 kilos); by cientur a rebout tourbillon; Italian champion Grenna Raffaele (113 kilos) bested Russian Champion Constatinowich (110 kilos) by prise d’epaules a terre; Constant le Marin (115 kilos) from Belgium beat Girsa (98 kilos) from Turkey by duble prise d’epaule; and D’Anvers (111 kilos) champion of Belgium subdued German champion Schakmann (108 kilos) by cientur an avant after a 23 minute war [tourada durou demaisadamente]. The results were reported with great seriousness.26