Category Archives: Edwardiana

Keeping a Safe Distance in Victorian London

The mid-19th century moral panic over garroting gangs (urban street muggers) reached its absurdist conclusion in this Punch Magazine cartoon, suggesting the invention of a reinforced hoop skirt frame to keep garroters at a safe distance. Sadly, while scholars agree … Continue reading

Posted in Antagonistics, Edwardiana, Hooliganism, Humour | Comments Off on Keeping a Safe Distance in Victorian London

The 1910 French Craze for “Secret Weapon” Walking Sticks

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Wednesday, 5th July 2017 By 1910, the mystique of the Parisian “apache” street gangsters had fully piqued the curiosity of the bourgeoisie via works of tabloid journalism and popular fiction. Middle- and upper-class … Continue reading

Posted in Edwardiana, Hooliganism | Comments Off on The 1910 French Craze for “Secret Weapon” Walking Sticks

Yukio Tani at the Royal Albert Hall (1904)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Thursday, 17th January 2019 This sketch series by Percy F.S. Spence records moments from former Bartitsu Club instructor Yukio Tani’s matches at the Royal Albert Hall on July 2, 1904.  The sketches were originally published … Continue reading

Posted in Edwardiana, Jiujitsu | Comments Off on Yukio Tani at the Royal Albert Hall (1904)

Fun and Games at the London Bath Club

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Friday, 7th December 2012 The famous Bath Club features significantly in the history of Bartitsu.  Founded at #34 Dover Street in 1894, the Club was named for its large indoor swimming pool, which was a … Continue reading

Posted in Edwardiana | Comments Off on Fun and Games at the London Bath Club

“A Jujitsuous Hint” (Punch Magazine, 1905)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 18th July 2011

Posted in Edwardiana, Humour, Jiujitsu | Comments Off on “A Jujitsuous Hint” (Punch Magazine, 1905)

More “Fighting Gentlemen” from the Pencil of Christoph Roos

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Sunday, 26th June 2011 Another series of Bartitsu-flavoured action sketches by the German artist Christoph Roos. You can see more at his website.

Posted in Antagonistics, Edwardiana | Comments Off on More “Fighting Gentlemen” from the Pencil of Christoph Roos

“The Sword-Lance: a Suggestion” (1903)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 13th June 2011 Captain F.C. Laing was a soldier serving in India with the 12th Bengal Infantry (Kelat-I-Ghilzai Regiment), who in 1902 had spent an intensive several months training at E.W. Barton-Wright’s … Continue reading

Posted in Antagonistics, Edwardiana | Comments Off on “The Sword-Lance: a Suggestion” (1903)

Hooligans, Beware!

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 14th March 2011 Perhaps the ultimate expression of self defence for bicyclists was the Simms Motor Scout, which rolled off the production line in 1898. While intended for wartime use, the Motor Scout would have … Continue reading

Posted in Antagonistics, Edwardiana | Comments Off on Hooligans, Beware!

“The Hooligan and the Lady”

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Wednesday, 26th January 2011 A fight scene/Edwardian-era self defence demonstration from the upcoming play The Hooligan and the Lady by Pauleen Hayes, premiering on February 24th at BATS Theatre in Wellington, New Zealand. The play is based … Continue reading

Posted in Edwardiana, Jiujitsu, Video | Comments Off on “The Hooligan and the Lady”

E.W. Barton-Wright on “How to Pose as a Strong Man”

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Sunday, 16th January 2011 Bartitsu founder E.W. Barton-Wright’s article How to Pose as a Strong Man was first published in the January, 1899 edition of Pearson’s Magazine. Presented as an instruction manual of eleven parlour … Continue reading

Posted in E. W. Barton-Wright, Edwardiana, Video | Comments Off on E.W. Barton-Wright on “How to Pose as a Strong Man”