As a public service to those who read my blog, but don't visit every other Bartitsu source, I like to offer a digest of recent Bartitsu-related content from time to time.
Bartitsu.Org
The first article, The Original BJJ: New Discoveries and Speculations re. the Submission Grappling of British Jiu-Jitsu, is a longer piece for those with an interest in the jujitsu practiced in Bartitsu and the japanese gentlemen mentioned in so many Bartitsu sources. This article summarises, and presents some recent research into the origins of the “mixed styles” submission grappling matches that took place in London circa 1900. The term “British jiujitsu” is sometimes used to describe the eclectic blend of jiujitsu styles that were introduced to England (and thus to the Western world) at that time, by pioneers including Bartitsu Club pricipals Edward William Barton-Wright, Yukio Tani and Sadakazu Uyenishi.
Experimental Bartitsu stick sparring in Öbrero, Sweden contains a video of some stick sparring using Bartitsu guards.
“Oriental Wrestling For The Soldier At Aldershot: The Japanese Method Of Self-Defence, Jiu-Jitsu, Taught By Professor Uyenishi” (Illustrated London News, 25 March, 1905) contains four photographs of Uyenishi performing various locks and throws.
The New Art of Self Defence (St James’s Gazette – Tuesday, 18 April, 1899), is a direct quote from a newspaper that is more of an announcement or advertisement about the Bartitsu Club.
In Bartitsu the Art of Real Self Defence (St. James’s Gazette, June 2, 1902), Tony quotes an approving newspaper opinion piece about the Bartitsu Club's curriculum.
In The Art of Self Defence (Illustrated London News, Nov. 30, 1901), Tony again quotes without commentary a short newspaper piece reporting on a Bartitsu demonstration.
Finally, "Geek duchess Felicia Day recommends Bartitsu for fending off llamas" links to an interview in which the talented Ms. Day mentions Bartitsu because she was fascinated by it when I was training her in dagger fighting. Why did nobody tell me about this interview?
Here's the link to the interview itself: Felicia Day on Being Weird, Hard Work and Women in Hollywood (Skip to 4:00)
By the way, I have never called myself a "professional umbrella fighter", nor have I ever met a llama.
Other Links of Interest
Some decent advice, but not historical Bartitsu: Umbrella or Cane versus Knife or Baseball bat. There are more articles of a similar style at Self Defense Tips
You can now find Historical Savate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/la.savate.en.heritage/
Head of Stage Combat at Academie Duello and certified Instructor with Fight Directors Canada. Head of Bartitsu at Academie Duello, the longest continuously running Bartitsu program in the world. Read more from David McCormick.