Author Archives: BartitsuSociety

Taro Miyake Exhibits Jujutsu vs. Boxing (1909)

Posted on March 26, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

Although it was fairly common for Japanese jujutsuka to engage with Western boxers on the stages of Edwardian London’s music halls, the boxers normally simply wrestled according to jujutsu rules. Occasionally, however, a true mixed-styles bout did take place, as … Continue reading →

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“London Athletic Academy Where Ladies Learn Jujitsu” (1908)

Posted on March 24, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

When Edward Barton-Wright ceased promoting the Japanese martial arts in England, the cause was taken up by the music hall strongman William Bankier, known professionally as “Apollo, the Scottish Hercules”. This series of photographs shows female students at his Great … Continue reading →

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“In the Ju Jitsu Hall” (1911)

Posted on March 24, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

These cartoons from the June 17, 1911 issue of the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News illustrate Japanese martial arts displays in the “Ju Jitsu Hall” of London’s Coronation Exhibition. The same venue had also hosted martial arts displays about a … Continue reading →

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Le Coup du Père François Flipbook Animation (circa 1897-98)

Posted on March 5, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

“Uncle Frank’s trick” was anecdotally attributed to a “philosophical Apache”, who reasoned that it was better tactics to temporarily disable a mugging victim without endangering their life. During the early years of the 20th century, the trick attained a degree … Continue reading →

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Jujitsu Overcoats (Ashbourne News Telegraph, 8 November 1907)

Posted on February 22, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

The subject of the following short article was probably inspired by Sgt. George Wheeldon’s self defence and restraint classes for the London police. New loose-fitting Army overcoats are about to be handed out to the officers of the London police … Continue reading →

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E.W. Barton-Wright’s Workplace in Kobe, Japan

Posted on February 21, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

Edward Barton-Wright’s jujutsu training took place at the Shinden Fudo Ryu dojo of sensei Terajima Kuniichiro between roughly 1895-1898. That dojo was located in the town of Kobe in Hyōgo Prefecture, on Honshu Island. Barton-Wright later noted that he’d taken … Continue reading →

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Tomoenage at the Bath Club (1899)

Posted on February 17, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

E.W. Barton-Wright demonstrates the tomoenage (stomach throw) during one of his first major Bartitsu exhibitions, held at the famous Bath Club in London. This illustration has been adapted from the original, which appeared in the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News … Continue reading →

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Jiu-Jitsu Against the French Method (L’Auto-Velo, October 20, 1905)

Posted on February 12, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

The following short article is representative of the nationalistic arguments favoured by the French media prior to the much-anticipated jiujitsu vs. savate contest between Re-Nie (Ernest Regnier) and Georges Dubois. The correspondent’s comments on Bartitsu are interesting in that while … Continue reading →

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Georges Carpentier, Savateur

Posted on February 12, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

Future heavyweight boxing champion Georges Carpentier is shown practicing savate at the approximate age of 11 in this 1905 photograph.

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“Everyday Methods of Self Defence” (Haslingden Gazette – July 23, 1910)

Posted on February 10, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

There is a good deal to be said for ju-jitsu, but there are occasions when something in one’s hand is bettor than any amount of tricks in one’s head. Not that it is necessary for a man to go about … Continue reading →

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