Author Archives: BartitsuSociety

Cane Vs. Sword (Sherlock Holmes, 2009)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 5th May 2018 The climactic fight between Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr. and Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), in which Holmes appropriately wields a cane against Blackwood’s devilish blade: For details on this … Continue reading

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The Martial Shenanigans of Leopold McLaglen

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Sunday, 13th May 2018 Captain Sydney Temple Leopold McLaglen (1884-1951) was one of the most colourful “characters” of the early 20th century jiujitsu scene.  Charismatic, moustachioed, broad-shouldered and towering at 6’7″ in height,  McLaglen … Continue reading

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To “Obviate the Risk of Being Disarmed by Being Hit Upon the Fingers”

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Tuesday, 12th June 2018 Under “Bar-titsu ” I comprise boxing, or the use of the fist as a hitting medium, the use of the feet both in an offensive and defensive sense, the … Continue reading

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Suffrajitsu Documentary “No Man Shall Protect Us” Now Freely Available Online

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Wednesday, 20th June 2018 Written, co-directed and co-produced by Bartitsu instructor Tony Wolf, the 50-minute documentary No Man Shall Protect Us: The Hidden History of the Suffragette Bodyguards explores the origins and exploits of … Continue reading

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Bartitsu at Sherlockon Poland 2018

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 23rd June 2018 Bartitsu demonstrations will be part of the festivities at the second Sherlockon Poland convention, taking place between June 30-July 1 2018 at the Ursynów Culture Center in Warsaw, Poland.

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“Tricks of the Parisian Apaches” (1910)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Sunday, 24th June 2018 This article from The Globe newspaper of February 3rd, 1910 reveals some more mugging tricks developed by the so-called Apache street gangsters of Paris.   Most of these marauders were professional thieves … Continue reading

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“The Most Dangerous Kick of an Expert Kicker”

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Wednesday, 27th June 2018 Participants in one of instructor Alex Kiermayer’s recent Unarmed Bartitsu seminars practice the chasse median (mid-level side kick). The chasse median is also one of the few kicks represented in the … Continue reading

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Bartitsu with Alex Kiermayer in Igensdorf, Germany

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Friday, 29th June 2018 Bartitsu with Alex Kiermayer Alexander Kiermayer is probably one of the most prominent instructors of the historical fencing scene. He has a broad background in various martial arts and … Continue reading

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“A Secret Style of Boxing” (The Sportsman, 12 December 1904)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 16th July 2018 There’s a good deal to unpack in this advertisement for an assault-at-arms display organised by former Bartitsu Club instructor Pierre Vigny, including one particularly intriguing item: ST. JAMES’S HALL, … Continue reading

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In Memoriam: William Hobbs (1939-2018)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Tuesday, 17th July 2018 By Tony Wolf I’m sad to report the passing of William Hobbs, who was among the most influential and respected fight directors of the 20th century. He died on … Continue reading

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