Author Archives: BartitsuSociety

Amalia True’s Parasol of Fury: Did Late Victorian-Era Women Really Use Weaponized Umbrellas?

Posted on April 12, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

In the alternate history of Joss Whedon’s new TV series The Nevers, a mysterious event in the skies over London during 1896 leaves a minority of the population endowed with bizarre, apparently supernatural powers. Three years later, the sociopolitical establishment … Continue reading →

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Jiujitsu versus Boxing in Paris: When Yukio Tani Took On Marc Gaucher

Posted on April 8, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

As detailed in the second volume of the Bartitsu Compendium, the year 1906 saw a vehement “boxing versus jiujitsu” debate played out in the pages of some British sporting journals. Many participants were essentially armchair quarterbacks, including a number who … Continue reading →

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“Suffragettes to Learn the Art of Jiu-Jitsu” (1909)

Posted on March 31, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

These photographs of Edith Garrud in action were originally published in the Daily Mirror of April 13, 1909. At that time, Garrud was inaugurating her “Suffragettes Self-Defence Club” as a separate concern from the Golden Square School of Jujitsu, where … Continue reading →

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“Charley Smiler Takes Up Ju-Jitsu” (1911): a Unique Filmic Glimpse Back Into British Jujitsu and Suffrajitsu History!

Posted on March 29, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

A number of short silent films featuring jujutsu were produced and/or screened in London during the very early 20th century. The intriguing list of titles includes: Unfortunately, aside from their titles and scattered items of production information, these films have … Continue reading →

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Walking Stick Sparring in Chile

Posted on March 26, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

Members of the Santiago Stickfighters club exhibit their Integrated Method of stick-fighting, inspired largely by a combination of the Vigny/Bartitsu and Bonafont methods. The sparring canes are made of a hard polymer composite material, tipped with rubber ball handles. This … Continue reading →

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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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