In the annals of martial arts history few figures are as overlooked yet significant as John O’Brien the first jiu-jitsu instructor to set foot on American soil. As Jeff Shaw of Bellingham BJJ detailed on the FightingMatters podcast O’Brien’s arrival in 1900 and his journey from a police constable in Japan to a martial arts pioneer in America represents the beginning of what would become a transformative period for combat sports in the United States.
According to Shaw’s research O’Brien’s path to martial arts expertise was unconventional. As a police constable stationed in Nagasaki Japan for four to five years he immersed himself in the study of traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu under the tutelage of an instructor named Inaway. This extended period of training in Japan provided O’Brien with authentic knowledge of the art making him uniquely qualified to introduce these techniques to American audiences.
Shaw explained that upon O’Brien’s return to the United States in 1900 he faced the challenge of introducing an entirely foreign martial art to a skeptical American public. Accompanied by his instructor Inaway he began conducting demonstrations and challenge matches though initial media coverage was sparse—Shaw noted that fewer than ten stories per year documented their activities during 1900 and 1901.
Despite the slow start Shaw emphasized that O’Brien’s determination to establish jiu-jitsu as a legitimate martial art in America never wavered. In 1901 he secured a significant opportunity when the Evening World newspaper allowed him to write a jiu-jitsu instruction column.
As Shaw discussed on the podcast O’Brien’s approach to jiu-jitsu instruction was notably practical and accessible. Rather than presenting the art as an esoteric Eastern philosophy he emphasized its utility for everyday self-defense situations. His newspaper column demonstrated techniques for escaping common attacks including the “two-hand choke” and “bully choke” making jiu-jitsu relevant to ordinary Americans concerned about personal safety.
The turning point in O’Brien’s career—and indeed in the history of martial arts in America—came in 1902 when President Theodore Roosevelt began taking lessons from him as Shaw highlighted during his podcast appearance. This presidential endorsement transformed jiu-jitsu from an obscure foreign method into a national phenomenon. Roosevelt famous for advocating “the strenuous life” and passionate about all forms of athletic competition brought unprecedented attention to O’Brien’s teaching.
Shaw noted that Roosevelt’s involvement elevated O’Brien’s profile dramatically. The media coverage that had eluded him for years suddenly materialized with hundreds of newspaper stories appearing annually about jiu-jitsu in America.
“By 1905,” Shaw’s research revealed, “an estimated 1,500 mainstream newspaper articles covered jiu-jitsu, a level of media attention that would be remarkable even by today’s standards.”
O’Brien’s legacy extends beyond his role as America’s first jiu-jitsu instructor as Shaw pointed out on Fighting Matters. His practical self-defense-oriented approach to teaching the art established a foundation that would influence martial arts instruction for generations. His emphasis on real-world applications rather than sporting competition reflected his background as a police constable and his understanding of what American students needed.
Shaw’s research suggests that the historical record indicates O’Brien’s technical knowledge while not at the level of later Kodakan judo representatives was substantial and legitimate. His years of training in Japan under authentic instruction provided him with skills that impressed even skeptical observers. When the legendary Kodakan judoka Yoshiaki Yamashita arrived in America in 1904 the contrast in skill levels became apparent with Roosevelt noting that he finally saw
“what jiu-jitsu really is.”
Without O’Brien’s pioneering efforts and Roosevelt’s support the trajectory of martial arts in America—and the development of what we now know as Brazilian jiu-jitsu—might have been entirely different.
