Author Archives: BartitsuSociety

“New Methods of Self-Defence” (1906)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 17th June 2017 For almost all practical purposes, Bartitsu – as a defined combination of martial arts and combat sport styles – ceased to exist after the closure of the Bartitsu School … Continue reading

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A “Suffragette Bartitsu Brawl” Video from Fight Rep

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Friday, 23rd June 2017 Fighting for the vote, the Suffragettes have planted an explosive device. As they attempt to make their escape, a husband sells out his wife’s cause to the special constables … Continue reading

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Rare Mid-20th Century Film of Vigny/Lang stickfighting

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Friday, 23rd June 2017 It’s well-known that the method of walking stick defence taught at the Bartitsu Club circa 1900 was devised by Pierre Vigny. Vigny himself instructed Bartitsu students in his system, … Continue reading

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“Weird and somewhat horrible”: the Novelty of Submission Wrestling in 1901 London

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Friday, 23rd June 2017 Although E.W. Barton-Wright had been lecturing upon and demonstrating jiujitsu since his return to England from Japan in late 1898, it was not until September of 1901 that London music … Continue reading

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5th Annual Victorian Martial Arts Symposium in Portland, Oregon

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 24th June 2017 Click here to learn more about this event, to be held at the PDX Gearcon steampunk extravaganza between June 30 and July 2, 2017.

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The Japanese School of Ju-jitsu in Oxford Street (1904-08)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Tuesday, 11th July 2017 After the closure of the Bartitsu School of Arms in mid-1902, the various specialist instructors went their separate ways.  Wrestling and physical culture tutor Armand Cherpillod returned to Switzerland, … Continue reading

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The Story of the Jujitsuffragettes, Courtesy of “Drunk History UK”

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 17th July 2017 In these excerpts from a recent episode of “Drunk History UK”, inebriated comedienne Luisa Omielan attempts to relate the history of the jujitsu-trained suffragette Bodyguard team: Bonus points for … Continue reading

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“Urban Heroes vs. Folk Devils”

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 24th July 2017 Emelyne Godfrey‘s 2010 essay on civilian self-defence circa 1880-1914 is available via this link. Here are some excerpts: Pearson’s Magazine boasted articles on adventure, features on sport and remarkable fiction; it … Continue reading

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Suffrajitsu Experience Day in London

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 24th July 2017 London’s Radical Tea Towel Company will be hosting a day-long Suffrajitsu Experience on Sept. 16, with a guided tour by historian Elizabeth Crawford, a lecture by Dr. Emelyne Godfrey and a … Continue reading

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How “Re-Nie’s” Jiujitsu Won Against Dubois’ Savate (1905)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 24th July 2017 In the wake of his stunning six-second victory against savateur Georges Dubois in their 1905 style-vs-style challenge fight, jiujitsuka Ernest Regnier (a.k.a. “Re-Nie”) posed for the following series of technical photographs. … Continue reading

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