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Bartitsu

What is Bartitsu?

Bartitsu is a martial art and self-defense system that was developed in England during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was created by Edward William Barton-Wright, an English engineer and railway manager who had spent time in Japan and studied jujitsu. Bartitsu is notable for being one of the first martial arts that integrated techniques from multiple disciplines, including:

  1. Jujitsu: Japanese grappling and submission techniques.
  2. Boxing: Western pugilism, focusing on punches and footwork.
  3. Savate: A French form of kickboxing that includes both hand and foot strikes.
  4. Cane Fighting: The use of a walking stick or cane as a weapon, drawing from traditional European stick-fighting techniques.

Bartitsu gained some popularity in the early 1900s and was famously referenced by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in his Sherlock Holmes stories, where Holmes is described as being proficient in "baritsu," a misspelling of Bartitsu.

Despite its initial popularity, Bartitsu fell into obscurity after Barton-Wright's school closed in 1902. However, it has experienced a revival in recent years, with martial arts enthusiasts and historians rediscovering and reconstructing the techniques and principles of this eclectic and historically significant martial art.

Related Article: Bartitsu: An Elegant Fusion of Martial Arts for Self-Defense

Judo is the way to the most effective use of both physical and spiritual strength. By training you in attacks and defenses it refines your body and your soul and helps you make the spiritual essence of Judo a part of your very being. In this way you are able to perfect yourself and contribute something of value to the world. This is the final goal of Judo discipline.
Kano Jigoro

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Other Glossary terms

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Enshin
Enshin Karate is a modern style of karate founded by Joko Ninomiya in 1988.
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Wushu
Wushu is a modern exhibition and full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts.
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Ssireum
Ssireum is a traditional form of Korean wrestling that has been practiced for centuries.
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Kubotan
A kubotan is a self-defense keychain weapon developed by Sōke Takayuki Kubota in the late 1960s.
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Submission
In the context of martial arts and combat sports, a submission is a technique used to force an opponent to concede defeat, typically due to pain, the threat of injury, or an inability to escape.
S
Shuangdao
Shuangdao (双刀), also known as Double Broadsword, is a traditional Chinese martial art that involves the use of two dao (刀), which are single-edged broadswords.
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Mai Sok San
In the context of traditional Thai martial arts, particularly Krabi Krabong, "Mai Sok San" refers to a type of weapon that is essentially a pair of wooden clubs or batons, often designed with a handle.
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Tekko
Tekko are traditional Okinawan weapons that resemble brass knuckles or knuckle dusters.
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Satba
A "satba" is a crucial piece of equipment used in Ssireum, the traditional Korean wrestling sport.
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Folding Fan (Phi tiêu)
The Folding Fan, known as "Phi Tiêu" in Vietnamese, is a traditional weapon used in various martial arts, including Vovinam.
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Bamboo Sword (Dao)
In martial arts, the term "Bamboo Sword (Dao)" typically refers to a practice weapon made from bamboo that is designed to emulate the characteristics of a traditional Chinese dao.
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Qiangshu
Qiangshu (枪术), also known as Spear Technique, is a traditional Chinese martial art that focuses on the use of the qiang (枪), a spear.
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Jun Fan Gung Fu
Jun Fan Gung Fu is a martial arts system developed by Bruce Lee before he created Jeet Kune Do.
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Kyū
In the context of Kyudo, the Japanese martial art of archery, Kyū (級) refers to the ranking system used to measure the proficiency and skill level of practitioners.
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