Author Archives: BartitsuSociety

The Original Bartitsu Club

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Thursday, 10th September 2015 “… a huge subterranean hall, all glittering, white-tiled walls, and electric light, with ‘champions’ prowling around it like tigers …” – Mary Nugent (January 1901) There are now approximately … Continue reading

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“If a Bold Bad Man Attacks You, Jiu-Jitsu Him!”

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Thursday, 6th August 2015 A selection of classic jiujitsu “tricks” as women’s self-defence in this photo-feature from the Chicago Tribune of June 20, 1915.

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“Carry a large stick” (1901)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Sunday, 29th September 2013 To the Editor of the Evening TelegraphDublin, February 10, 1901 Dear Mr. Editor – I see by your issue of Saturday an extract from the February number of “Pearson’s” … Continue reading

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James Marwood on the Gentlemanly Arts of Self Defence and Sartorialism

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Sunday, 29th September 2013 Bartitsu instructor James Marwood is interviewed for The Perfect Gentleman, a UK-based initiative to “make the world a more respectful, stylish and gentlemanly place, one man at a time.” Topics of conversation include James’s … Continue reading

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Bartitsu Club Instructor Yukio Tani in Action?

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 31st December 2012 This newsreel clip was shot at a gala day at London’s Kensington Palace Field in the year 1928. The first half features a boxing exhibition by Alf Mancini, who was … Continue reading

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“Japanese Wrestling” (27 October, 1898)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Friday, 14th December 2012 A report from the Morning Post newspaper on one of E.W. Barton-Wright’s early jiujitsu demonstrations in London. Mr. Barton-Wright’s demonstration of Japanese wrestling at the St. James’s Hall last … Continue reading

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For Your Listening Pleasure: “Eugen Sandow, Victorian Strongman” and “The Bare Fists of Boxing”

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Friday, 3rd February 2012 The Art of Manliness website presents a podcast interview with David Waller, author of the new biography The Perfect Man: the Muscular Life and Times of Eugen Sandow, Victorian Stongman.  Sandow … Continue reading

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“It was jiu-jitsu!” (1906)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 2nd January 2012 I drew a deep breath as I mastered the contents of this momentous document. Then, just as I was about to replace it in the ingenious receptacle contrived for … Continue reading

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“The Best Self Defence” (1910)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Thursday, 3rd November 2011 Some sound advice in this article from the Australian Northern Star of November 25, 1910. The anonymous writer may well not have been aware of Bartitsu, which actually included … Continue reading

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“Foiling the Ubiquitous Thug” (1912)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Thursday, 27th October 2011 A selection of illustrations from the New York Tribune article Unarmed Citizens May Here Learn How To Foil The Ubiquitous Thug (March 10, 1912).

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