Category Archives: Wrestling

Glima vs. Three Footpads

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 21st July 2014 Icelandic wrestler and showman Johannes Josephsson, who exhibited the art of glima wrestling in North American and European music halls during the early 20th century, demonstrates self-defence against not one, … Continue reading

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“Wrestler vs. Boxer”

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 22nd November 2014 A series of promotional photographs, subjects unknown, dating to the first decade of the 20th century.

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The Life’s Work of Percy Longhurst

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 5th March 2016 Percy William Longhurst (1874-1959) was a lifelong wrestling and antagonistics enthusiast, a prolific writer and a significant figure in the history of Bartitsu. Unfortunately, comparatively little is known of … Continue reading

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The Art of Self Defence (Illustrated London News, Nov. 30, 1901)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Friday, 12th August 2016 The various methods of self-defence adopted by followers of the Bartitsu system were demonstrated at their School of Arms on Nov. 23, when they were opposed by English and … Continue reading

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Martial Arts Displays at the Japan-British Exhibition of 1910

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 28th January 2017 Although jiujitsu had been introduced to England circa 1900 via the efforts of E.W. Barton-Wright, Yukio Tani and Sadakazu Uyenishi, the Japan-British Exhibition was the first opportunity for many British citizens … Continue reading

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“The New Art of Self Defence: A Clever Display” (1898)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 20th February 2017 From The Sporting Life – 29 October, 1898 Anything absolutely new with regard what no one will deny is an ancient and honourable pastime (we refer to the noble art) must … Continue reading

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“Why Not Invent an English Art of Ju-jitsu?” (1905)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Thursday, 2nd March 2017 The following anonymous letter to the editor was originally published in the St. James’s Gazette of March 9th, 1905. Sir, —Jujitsu seems to be the fashionable graven image of … Continue reading

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Bartitsu Exhibitions in Oxford (February-March 1902)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Thursday, 30th March 2017 During the early months of 1902, E.W. Barton-Wright and the Bartitsu Club instructors undertook a series of touring exhibitions to venues including Cambridge University and the Mechanics Institute Hall in … Continue reading

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George Dinnie vs. Yukio Tani (1908)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Thursday, 27th April 2017 The following dramatic and highly detailed account is taken from the Sheffield Independent of Monday 3rd February, 1908.  It’s particularly interesting as it represents a hard-fought jujitsu-style contest taking place … Continue reading

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“Fatal Wrestling Bout” (1909)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Thursday, 25th May 2017 A sad and sobering reminder of the risks inherent in even friendly wrestling, from the Nottingham Evening Post of 22 February, 1909: AMATEUR CHAMPION EXONERATED PROM BLAME. The Westminster’s … Continue reading

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