Category Archives: Boxing

“The New Art of Self Defence: How Bartitsu Reimagined ‘Antagonistics’ in Edwardian England”

Posted on February 16, 2026 by BartitsuSociety

Now available from Amazon, this new book is a revised, updated and significantly expanded version of the “Bartitsu Story” section of The Bartitsu Compendium, Vol. III (2022). As the third volume of the Compendium was a bookshelf-busting 629 large-format pages, … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Antagonistics, Biography, Boxing, Canonical Bartitsu, E. W. Barton-Wright, Edwardiana, Exhibitions, Fencing, Hooliganism, Jiujitsu, Physical Culture, Pop-culture, Savate, Vigny stick fighting, Wrestling | Comments Off on “The New Art of Self Defence: How Bartitsu Reimagined ‘Antagonistics’ in Edwardian England”

Parisian Street-Fighting in “J’accuse” (2019)

Posted on January 9, 2026 by BartitsuSociety

A brief but effective fight scene, showcasing la canne and la boxe, from the 2019 movie J’accuse (also released as An Officer and a Spy).

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Pugilism with Sensei Seth and Tom Billinge

Posted on December 13, 2025 by BartitsuSociety

An entertaining and informative intro. to bare-knuckle fisticuffs courtesy of popular martial arts YouTuber Sensei Seth and pugilism expert Tom Billinge.

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“Fight Like Sherlock Holmes” in Germany

Posted on June 9, 2024 by BartitsuSociety

Images from a recent seminar by Alex Kiermayer and Christoph “Bear-Knuckle” Reinberger.

Posted in Boxing, Canonical Bartitsu, Savate, Seminars, Sherlock Holmes, Vigny stick fighting | Comments Off on “Fight Like Sherlock Holmes” in Germany

“The Brutal World Of Bare-Knuckle Boxing In Victorian Britain”

Posted on November 25, 2023 by BartitsuSociety
Posted in Antagonistics, Boxing, Documentary, Video | Comments Off on “The Brutal World Of Bare-Knuckle Boxing In Victorian Britain”

“What is the mysterious Western martial art Bartitsu, used by Sherlock Holmes?”

Posted on October 6, 2023 by BartitsuSociety

Martial artist Niimi Satoshi offers some creative interpretations of neo-Bartitsu techniques.

Posted in Boxing, Video, Vigny stick fighting | Comments Off on “What is the mysterious Western martial art Bartitsu, used by Sherlock Holmes?”

Light Unarmed Sparring

Posted on August 8, 2023 by BartitsuSociety

Some more light, speculative Bartitsu-style unarmed sparring from the Highland Broadsword Society. Note the savate inflections and the moment of standing grappling. Milling the fists and destructive elbow blocks are characteristic of the “secret style of boxing” believed to have … Continue reading →

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Historical Pugilism

Posted on May 30, 2023 by BartitsuSociety

These bouts of light, technical pugilism sparring are also a good approximation of Bartitsu boxing as alluded to and partially described, but unfortunately never detailed, by E.W. Barton-Wright. Note especially the use of “chopper” (hammerfist) punches and destructive elbow guards. … Continue reading →

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Announcing The Bartitsu Compendium, Volume III

Posted on December 7, 2022 by BartitsuSociety

Published 120 years after the Bartitsu School of Arms in London closed its doors for the last time and marking the 20th anniversary of the modern Bartitsu revival movement, the Bartitsu Compendium, Volume III is now available from Amazon. Over … Continue reading →

Posted in Antagonistics, Baritsu, Bartitsu School of Arms, Biography, Boxing, Canonical Bartitsu, E. W. Barton-Wright, Editorial, Edwardiana, Fencing, Fiction, Hooliganism, Humour, In Memoriam, Instruction, Interviews, Jiujitsu, Mysteries, Physical Culture, Pop-culture, Reviews, Savate, Seminars, Sherlock Holmes, Sparring, Suffrajitsu, Vigny stick fighting, Wrestling | Comments Off on Announcing The Bartitsu Compendium, Volume III

“Speculations on the Slungshot”

Posted on August 31, 2022 by BartitsuSociety

A recent search through the archives revealed this long-forgotten, 2007-vintage article speculating on the martial use of the Monkey’s Fist or slungshot, a weapon associated with ruffians (especially sailors on shore-leave) rather than with ladies and gentlemen. The article was … Continue reading →

Posted in Antagonistics, Boxing, Humour, Instruction | Comments Off on “Speculations on the Slungshot”