Author Archives: BartitsuSociety

“Learn ‘Glima’ And Protect Yourself Against Hold-Ups” (1923)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Thursday, 10th December 2015 Click on the image above to expand it. Icelandic glima wrestler and showman Johannes Josefsson enjoyed great success touring throughout Europe and the United States during the early 20th century, including … Continue reading

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Alex Kiermeyer Seminar Photos

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Tuesday, 15th December 2015 Pictures from the recent Bartitsu seminar with instructor Alex Kiermeyer (top) in Igensdorf, Germany.

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A Melange of Mayhem from Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Wednesday, 16th December 2015 Ten solid minutes of Victorian violence are on display in this compilation of finishing moves from the Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate video game, which is set in the world of 19th century … Continue reading

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“Houdini & Doyle” TV Series to Showcase “Supernatural” Edwardian Mysteries

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Wednesday, 9th December 2015 Back in 2011 we reported the pre-production of no less than three media projects based on the premise that Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle teamed up to fight crime. … Continue reading

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Solved – the Mystery of “Miss Sanderson’s” First Name

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Wednesday, 4th November 2015 Although “Miss Sanderson’s” system of umbrella and parasol self-defence was quite famous in its day, the lady herself has remained elusive. For many years we have known little of … Continue reading

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“Are You In Danger?” – a Curious Article on Umbrella Self-Defence (1900)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Thursday, 12th November 2015 The following short article on umbrella self defence was originally published in the Dundee Evening Post on April 3, 1900. It’s diverting to speculate on the identity of the anonymous inventor … Continue reading

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“To Invite an Attack”: Tactical Guards in Canonical Bartitsu Stick Fighting

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 24th October 2015 It is always most desirable to try to entice your adversary to deliver a certain blow, and so place yourself at a great advantage by being prepared to guard … Continue reading

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Gandhi on Jiu-jitsu (1905)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Friday, 30th May 2014 Some wry commentary on jiujitsu from Mohandas K. Gandhi (Indian Opinion, April 2, 1905): The eyes of Europeans are slowly being opened. Narmada-shankar, the Gujarati poet, has sung: The Englishman rules, … Continue reading

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“How to Use a Walking Stick in Self Defense” (1914)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 31st May 2014 This tongue-in-cheek cartoon, originally published in Life Magazine of August, 1914, may have been inspired by Andrew Chase Cunningham’s book, The Cane as a Weapon.

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The Jiu-Jitsu Waltz (“The Scrap Book”, Vol. 4, 1907)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 31st May 2014 A FRENCH WOMAN AND A JAPANESE MANAMAZE LONDON WITH A NEW STUNT. The novelty of the summer in London is the jiu-jitsu dance in which Mlle. Deslys and S. … Continue reading

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