Category Archives: Suffrajitsu

Suffrajitsu in “De Rare Jacob” (1910)

Posted on March 3, 2026 by BartitsuSociety

A satirical response to the suffrajitsu phenomenon in this cartoon from the Dutch journal De rare Jacob (1910). The caption translates as “The suffragettes haven’t been at all shy about using their feet for jiu-jitsu—rather like how the ‘weaker,’ more … Continue reading →

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“The Suffragette That Knew Jiu Jitsu”

Posted on November 22, 2024 by BartitsuSociety

A fairly well-researched presentation on Edith Garrud’s role in the jujutsu training of the WSPU Bodyguard unit, contextualised with some background on Barton-Wright’s Bartitsu.

Posted in Biography, Canonical Bartitsu, Documentary, E. W. Barton-Wright, Jiujitsu, Suffrajitsu, Video | Comments Off on “The Suffragette That Knew Jiu Jitsu”

“Mrs. Pankhurst’s Bodyguard: On the Trail of ‘Kitty’ Marshall and the Met Police ‘Cats'”

Posted on April 25, 2023 by BartitsuSociety

Self-defence historian Emelyne Godfrey’s long-awaited new book is now available from Barnes and Noble and other booksellers. Some of the most extraordinary narratives of the radical women’s suffrage movement are those of the Bodyguard – a secret society of martial … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Antagonistics, Biography, Edwardiana, Jiujitsu, Suffrajitsu | Comments Off on “Mrs. Pankhurst’s Bodyguard: On the Trail of ‘Kitty’ Marshall and the Met Police ‘Cats'”

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

Antagonistic Action in “Enola Holmes 2”

Posted on November 13, 2022 by BartitsuSociety

During the climactic scenes of Enola Holmes 2, Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill) and the Viscount Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge) exert their antagonistic prowess against a cadre of crooked coppers in a music hall, while the titular heroine (Millie Bobby Brown) does … Continue reading →

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The Bartitsu and Suffrajitsu Stories as Rendered by Teenagers

Posted on July 12, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

It’s satisfying to see the torches of interest in Bartitsu and Suffrajitsu being taken up by (much) younger enthusiasts. Here are three recent video documents on aspects of Edwardian-era antagonistics, by researcher/presenters who had yet to be born when the … Continue reading →

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“Charley Smiler” Suffrajitsu Footage Added to “No Man Shall Protect Us” Documentary

Posted on June 3, 2021 by BartitsuSociety

The “Suffrajitsu” scene from the recently rediscovered 1911 movie Charley Smiler Takes Up Ju-jitsu has been edited into the 2018 documentary No Man Shall Protect Us, which illuminates the role of the secret society of martial arts-trained female bodyguards who … Continue reading →

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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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“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 →

Posted in Editorial, Edwardiana, Fiction, Humour, Jiujitsu, Suffrajitsu, Video | Comments Off on “Charley Smiler Takes Up Ju-Jitsu” (1911): a Unique Filmic Glimpse Back Into British Jujitsu and Suffrajitsu History!