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

Posted on February 10, 2020 by BartitsuSociety
  • 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 Bartitsu Club in London. Returning to active duty, Laing later produced an interesting account of his Bartitsu experiences which was published in the Journal of the United Service Institution of India and which is reproduced in volume II of the Bartitsu Compendium.

Appended to that article was this proposal and design for a curious weapon that Laing called the “sword-lance”. Although it is unclear as to whether the sword-lance was ever actually manufactured or employed in battle, Laing’s proposal indicates that he shared the adventurous, experimental temperament common to a number of Bartitsu Club members …

THE SWORD-LANCE : A SUGGESTION.

By Captain F. C. Laing, 12th Bengal Infantry.

In the October number of this Journal, “Tulwar” briefly discussed the question of the most suitable hand-to-hand weapons for use in the Native Cavalry. May I venture to offer a suggestion which might possibly, when perfected, produce a weapon combining the advantages of both lance and sword, making the former a sort of elongated sheath for the latter.

The accompanying rough hand sketch may assist the reader to follow my idea more clearly.

The lance I propose is made, as at present, of bamboo, carrying the usual steel head; at the butt end it is hollowed so as to form a scabbard for a straight sword, the handle of the sword forming the lance-butt, the button being made long enough to fit into the stirrup when the lance is being carried.

The sword blade, about 3 ft. 3 in. long, is prevented from falling out by means of a steel spring similar to that of the sword bayonet.

In order to decrease the weight the lance head and sword guard might be made lighter; in any case the weight would probably not exceed that of the lance now in use by more than a few ounces.

The advantages claimed for this form of weapon are :—

1. One combined weapon instead of two.

2. Decrease of weight on the horse.

3. Each man carries a weapon which he can use in the manner most suitable to the requirements of the moment.

4. The construction in no way affects the strength or utility of either weapon.

5. Convenience of carrying.

In conclusion I should add, that if the jointed lance is adopted, it would be most suitable to the combined sword-lance as it can be carried as shown in the sketch.

The disadvantage of the weapon may consist in the sword being straight and not curved; there are adherents of both forms and some may consider a straight thrusting sword more serviceable than the curved.

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Bartitsu Class/Demo. at the 1900 Chautauqua (Rockford, Illinois)

Posted on February 10, 2020 by BartitsuSociety
  • Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Sunday, 12th June 2011

Instructor Allen Reed (left), in character as a circa 1900 “Professor of Antagonistics”, teaching Bartitsu stick fighting at the 1900 America Chautauqua event at the Midway Village Museum, Rockford, Illinois.

Spectators were invited to take part in Allen’s demonstrations, which took the form of classes in basic pugilism, self defence with a walking stick and jiujitsu escort holds. The classes ideally suited the theme of the Chautauqua, which also featured re-enactments of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, ragtime music and demonstrations of turn-of-the-century sports and crafts. This was possibly the first Bartitsu demonstration in living memory in which penny farthing bicycles were to be seen cruising past in the background.

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Battersea Bartitsu (London, UK)

Posted on February 10, 2020 by BartitsuSociety
  • Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 11th June 2011

Announcing a new Bartitsu study group based in Battersea, S.W. London. Training is free and interested parties should contact the organisers for details.

Week A (alternate weeks from 19.06.11): “Canonical Bartitsu”Stretching and work with Indian Clubs – Canonical Bartitsu – the jiujitsu-based sequences published in Pearson’s Magazine – Supplementary jiujitsu techniques from Wm. Garrud’s Complete Jiujitsuan – Defense dans la Rue – Pugilism (fisticuffs) – Sparring

Week B (alternate weeks from 26.06.11): Vigny Canne plus GrapplingStretching and work with Indian Clubs – Vigny Canne “Closing manoeuvres”, originally published as sequences e.g. “How to Overcome the Advantage of an Assailant who Attacks You with a Stout Stick when You are carrying only a Light cane.” Basically, how to get in close without being hit and apply locks, throws, etc. – Grappling, working from Banned From Boxing! by Kirk Lawson.

All participants will need to start with is some form of hand protection for padwork like hand wraps and/or light boxer’s bagwork gloves or MMA gloves. Spare canes are available for participants to use.

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“… the value of the ordinary walking-stick ..” (1901)

Posted on February 9, 2020 by BartitsuSociety
  • Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 30th May 2011

An interesting snippet from a review of one of E.W. Barton-Wright’s Bartitsu exhibitions at London’s Tivoli Theatre during August 1901.

After a jiujitsu demonstration …

… Mr Barton-Wright, to whose initiative the present interesting exhibition in town is due, shows by his pupils the value of the ordinary walking-stick as a means of self defence against the man who attacks with any weapon other than a firearm. The ordinary Malacca cane, quite unused to responsibilities of any sort, becomes suddenly endowed with a most valuable gift, and in the grip of a well-trained man, saves his head and hands from a weapon of tenfold weight. It is not too much to say that no man can afford to neglect such a simple precaution against sudden attack …

– The Music Hall and Theatre Review, 23 August, 1901

This is an extremely rare, if not unique, account of Edward Barton-Wright – rather than Pierre Vigny – demonstrating walking stick self-defence during the Bartitsu Club era.

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Bartitsu Lecture in Zagreb, Croatia

Posted on February 9, 2020 by BartitsuSociety
  • Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Sunday, 29th May 2011

Bartitsu enthusiast Goran Dimic recently delivered an illustrated lecture/demonstration on Bartitsu for the Parni Zakon steampunk conference in Zagreb, Croatia.

The lecture included information on the origins and nature of Bartitsu and the life and times of founder E.W. Barton-Wright. Goran then demonstrated some basic fisticuffs, low kicks, a jiujitsu escort hold and some cane techniques.

The audience was enthusiastic and their response bodes well for the establishment of a Bartitsu study group in Croatia.

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Bartitsu Classes at the 1900 America Chautauqua (Rockford, IL)

Posted on February 9, 2020 by BartitsuSociety
  • Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Thursday, 12th May 2011

Instructor Allen Reed will be teaching Bartitsu classes at the 1900 America Chautauqua. The Chautauqua (June 11-12, Midway Village Museum, Rockford, IL) is set during the year 1900 and will offer numerous educational and entertainment events from that period.

Alongside 1900-era celebrities such as Mark Twain, Buffalo Bill Cody and Annie Oakley, Allen (as a “Professor of Antagonistics” recently returned from studies at the Bartitsu Club in London) will teach the skills of pugilism and self defence with a walking stick:

Prof. Reed is honored to be the first American to bring this new art back to his students in the United States. Prof. Reed will be offering two classes, one in pugilism and one on cane fighting for those attending this year’s Chautauqua. The class on pugilism will help introduce this manly art to all comers. The class on M. Vigny’s cane fighting system will teach how a common walking stick, cane or umbrella can be used for self defense. A few canes and sticks will be available from the instructor, but interested guests are encouraged to provide their own cane or umbrella. Ladies are also encouraged to attend. Classes offered both days of the Chautauqua.

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Bartitsu Training at WMAW 2011

Posted on February 9, 2020 by BartitsuSociety
  • Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Tuesday, 10th May 2011

Instructor Tony Wolf will be teaching two intermediate/advanced level Bartitsu sessions at the Western Martial Arts Weekend conference in Racine, Wisconsin, USA. The conference runs between September 15-18.

The WMAW is the premiere event of its type in the USA, attracting hundreds of participants for an intensive four day series of Western martial arts classes, lectures and seminars. It is held at the beautiful DeKoven Center, a 19th century university campus that has been converted into a conference and retreat center.

The Bartitsu sessions include:

Bartitsu: The Lost Martial Art of Sherlock Holmes

Instructor: Tony Wolf
Class Category: Close Quarters Combat
Class Length: 3 hrs
Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Intensity Level: Moderate
Pre-Requisites: None
Required Equipment: A sturdy crook-handled walking stick or 36 inch dowel with any edges smoothed away; fencing mask or similar face/head protection.

In the year 1899, Edward William Barton-Wright founded Bartitsu as a process of cross-training between walking stick fighting, boxing, savate and jiujitsu. It was the first example of an eclectic self-defence system blending Asian and European combat styles, intended to beat hooligans and street gangsters at their own game.

Barton-Wright defined the principles of Bartitsu as:

(1) to disturb the equilibrium of your assailant; (2) to surprise him before he has time to regain his balance and use his strength; (3) if necessary to subject the joints of any part of his body … to strains which they are anatomically and mechanically unable to resist.

He also noted that:

“It is quite unnecessary to try and get your opponent in any particular position, as the system embraces every possible eventuality, and your defence and counter attack must be entirely based upon the tactics of your opponent.”

Drawing from a selection of classical Bartitsu unarmed and walking-stick fighting set-plays, we will take up the challenge implied by Barton-Wright’s precepts of adaptability and improvisation, thereby continuing the “mixed martial arts” experiment that he began in late Victorian London.

“Belabour him as you see fit”: Bartitsu combat improvisation

Instructor: Tony Wolf
Class Category: Close Quarters Combat
Class Length: 1 hr 30 min
Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Intensity Level: Moderate to High
Pre-Requisites: Familiarity with the cane and unarmed sub-systems of Bartitsu.
Required Equipment: A sturdy crook-handled walking stick or 36 inch dowel with any edges smoothed away; fencing mask or similar face/head protection.

This class is a development of the material introduced in the “Bartitsu: The Lost Martial Art of Sherlock Holmes” intensive, dealing more specifically with the process of combining the various sub-systems of Bartitsu. We will practice spontaneity drills designed to “twist” the canonical self defense sequences as a bridge between pre-arranged set-plays and free bouting.

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Bartitsu at the Gaslight Gathering

Posted on February 9, 2020 by BartitsuSociety
  • Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 9th May 2011

Thanks to The Convention Fans Blog for this picture and accompanying report on San Francisco-based Bartitsu instructor Tom Badillo’s demo./class at the recent Gaslight Gathering event in San Diego.

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May 14th is Worldwide Undershaw Preservation Day

Posted on February 9, 2020 by BartitsuSociety
  • Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Friday, 6th May 2011

“I have some knowledge, however, of baritsu …”

– Sherlock Holmes on his defeat of Professor Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls

While the real martial art of Bartitsu was almost completely forgotten throughout the 20th century, this immortal line penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle provided the vital clue that led to its modern revival.

The Undershaw Preservation Trust has designated May 14th as Worldwide Undershaw Preservation Day. Supporters of the plan to save and restore Doyle’s former residence, where he wrote The Return of Sherlock Holmes and the lines about Holmes’ use of “baritsu” against Moriarty, are encouraged to wear something Sherlockian on that day and to help promote the preservation project.

All details, including video, historical images, essays and messages of support are available at the Preservation Trust’s website.

Posted in Editorial, Fiction, Pop-culture, Sherlock Holmes | Comments Off on May 14th is Worldwide Undershaw Preservation Day

The “Soft Art” of Japan (1902)

Posted on February 9, 2020 by BartitsuSociety
  • Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 30th April 2011

An excerpt from an article published in the Vancouver Sun of January 21st, 1902:

At the exhibition given at the “Bartitsu” School of Arms in London recently some remarkable feats were performed by the Japanese experts. In wrestling with an English wrestler the Japanese caught his opponent’s wrist and, by turning around so that his opponent’s arm rested on his shoulder, he threw the Englishman over his head, using his opponent’s arm as a lever.

Although in jujutsu proper no weapons are used, the methods of the art may be applied to the use of different weapons, including cudgels, swords, daggers and other instruments. At the exhibition in London the Japanese experts not only showed their wonderful skill in wrestling but also in defense against attacks with walking sticks and clubs.

A surprising feature of the exhibition was that (performed by) one of the Japanese experts, who in some mysterious manner taught by his art resisted strong pressure on his throat. A rod was placed across the throat of one of the men, who was lying upon the floor; and each end of the rod was pressed down by the combined weight of two men. How the Japanese managed to escape being strangled is a puzzle, but he actually resisted or evaded the pressure in some way and was not injured.

The exhibition in London was one of the first of its kind ever given outside of Japan.

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