06-16-2000, 10:57 PM
Some of you might have seen the movies I have made from this old book, so I thought I would post the first chapter as well. The author makes some interesting observations, and also comments on what appears to be Hancock's earlier work on Jujutsu.
The Text Book of Ju-jutsu
as Practiced in Japan
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
It is said that Ju-jutsu was first practiced some 2,000 years ago. If this is correct then it must be far and away the oldest exercise in the world, and one which has been continuously practiced. But without going into the
question of its origin, I may mention that it was practiced by the Samurai, or fighting men of Old Japan, for many centuries, and that until the last fifty years no one outside the warrior caste was ever initiated into its mysteries. But with the passing away of the old order of things together with the Shogun, and the dawning of the new era of Meiji (or enlightened government), the Samurai ceased to be a caste apart and gave to their country not only their own priceless services, but also all their store of knowledge in the science of physical well-being and self-defense. The value of Ju-jutsu was immediately recognized by the Government and people, who adopted it with such enthusiasm that it has now become almost an integral ^part of the life of the majority of the nation. It forms
an extensive department of the naval, military, and police training, proficiency in the science being almost an essential preliminary to promotion.
Ju-jutsu, therefore, had the imprimatur of the Japanese Government, and I do not think that I can be accused of ultra-patriotism, when I claim that this evidence of its worth should be adequate testimonial to. all who may desire one. The Mikado's Government was not in the habit of wasting either their own or their people's time! The word Ju-jutsu itself has been variously translated into English, and perhaps I should add American, as meaning "muscle-breaking," "the excellent secret art," "the art of softness," or "the gentle art," but it is quite impossible to convey in one or two descriptive words of this sort what Ju-jutsu really is.
Perhaps it may not be without interest if I make here a slight digression and refer to a few somewhat analogous styles of self-defense, which are either now, or were formerly in vogue in Japan, most of which styles are more
or less related to Ju-jutsu, being either branching off from that science, or originally distinct systems from which the modern Judo, or Ju-jutsu, has been compounded. Judo may be roughly translated as "the soft way," as Ju-jutsu is anglicized into "the soft art," in opposition to Kendo or Ken-jutsu, "the hard way" and "the hard art" respectively. This last mentioned style of self-defense is the elaboration of the old two-sword play of the samurai or
"two-sworded men." And here the reader will probably grasp the inner truth of Ju-jutsu, the victor establishing the superiority of leverage and balance, two soft, delicate qualities, over the harder, rougher ones of strength and force.
One of the styles alluded to, known as the Kempo, which may be roughly described as a method of killing people, possessed many points of resemblance to Jujutsu but was totally different in practice, being a system
of self-defense against sudden attack with intent to kill and replying thereto in kind. It was certainly more closely related to Ju-jutsu than are Boxing (even under the old Prize Ring rules) or savate to Wrestling. It might perhaps be best compared to that very strenuous old Greek
Physical Contest, which was known as the Pancration. By-the-way, I may here remark on the possible derivation of the old English phrase "Kempery man" and the Anglo-Saxon cempa, signifying "a warrior," from the Japanese Kempo. This is a point which should not be without interest to etymologists, and particularly to those who follow the late Professor Max Muller in his theory of the Indo-Germanic origin of the Anglo-Saxon
Race. Kempo, of course, was a system of attack and defense which branched off from Ju-jutsu into the paths of strenuous endeavor, but, apart from the fact that it was less scientific than Ju-jutsu, it was declared an illegal practice when the sanctity of human life was recognized under
the new regime.
Another analogous system, known as tori in some parts of Japan and as shime in others, was an extension of Ju-jutsu in the department of ground work, and it is more than possible that many of the locks and holds of
Ju-jutsu were originated by exponents of tori. The last named system cannot, however, be compared with the "soft art" as a method of self-defense, as but slight importance was devoted to "throws," the modus operandi being mainly confined to falling to the ground yourself
and then pulling your opponent down, there to struggle for the victorious lock. I do not wish to imply that the power to dislocate a joint, break a limb, or even to kill an opponent, which were the cause of the prohibition of Kempo, do not exist in Ju-jutsu (since all experts are well acquainted with
them), but it will be as well to point out that these powers are rarely, if ever, exercised. The locks are so complete in themselves that the mere threat of damage which their application implies, is sufficient to induce even the most obstinate opponent to cry for quarter. It may perhaps be urged against Ju-jutsu that, among exponents who were lacking in the spirit of true sportsmanship, limbs might frequently be broken or dislocated, but I always remind such critics that even in rough mining and other districts, where everyone carries "a gun," people are generally particularly careful to play "the game" (what-ever it may be) strictly according to the rules. I will venture to claim for Ju-jutsu that it is not only the finest system of self-defense extant, but that it is also second to none as a system of Physical Culture, being unrivalled as a means of developing rapidity of movement, and perfect balance, and furthermore is certainly not to be despised as a means of developing strength and muscle of
the right quality.
Then again, it is a magnificent sport, game, or exercise, call it what you will, second to none in the mental, moral and physical qualities which it calls into play, and certainly superior to every other with which I am acquainted in that it is never monotonous or uninteresting
either to the performer or spectator. "Of the making of books there is no end, and much study may be a weariness to the flesh," perhaps, but I do
not believe that this treatise will altogether deserve the latter stricture, if it serves to correct some of the misconceptions in the public mind that have been instilled therein by several books which have recently appeared,
professing to give instruction in the whole art of Ju-jutsu. Consider, for instance, the various exercises which have been alleged to be essential preliminaries to Ju-jutsu training. Well, I have never seen any Ju-jutsuan who ever practiced them. In the old style of Ju-jutsu before my time, there was I believe an exercise called the tai atari or "toughing" exercise, in which the practitioners rushed at each other, chest to chest, somewhat in the style
of the exercise called chy-chy-Ki, practiced by the Sumo wrestlers, who develop their strength and hardiness by butting each other. In fact, all these "resistance" movements, concerning which certain pseudo authorities on
Ju-jutsu have been so fluent, would, if of any practical value at all, be more suitable as training for the Sumo style of wrestling than for Ju-jutsu. For Sumo is contested by big heavy men, often standing about six feet in
height and weighing from eighteen to twenty stone, who rely almost entirely on their strength and avoirdupois to give them the victory, not that they are without various tricks, holds and moves of their own. Such training as the Ju-jutsu novice does indulge in is taught in the schools in Japan, and is styled the taiso-no-kata, or physical culture exercise for boys and girls,
comprising
The Text Book of Ju-jutsu
as Practiced in Japan
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
It is said that Ju-jutsu was first practiced some 2,000 years ago. If this is correct then it must be far and away the oldest exercise in the world, and one which has been continuously practiced. But without going into the
question of its origin, I may mention that it was practiced by the Samurai, or fighting men of Old Japan, for many centuries, and that until the last fifty years no one outside the warrior caste was ever initiated into its mysteries. But with the passing away of the old order of things together with the Shogun, and the dawning of the new era of Meiji (or enlightened government), the Samurai ceased to be a caste apart and gave to their country not only their own priceless services, but also all their store of knowledge in the science of physical well-being and self-defense. The value of Ju-jutsu was immediately recognized by the Government and people, who adopted it with such enthusiasm that it has now become almost an integral ^part of the life of the majority of the nation. It forms
an extensive department of the naval, military, and police training, proficiency in the science being almost an essential preliminary to promotion.
Ju-jutsu, therefore, had the imprimatur of the Japanese Government, and I do not think that I can be accused of ultra-patriotism, when I claim that this evidence of its worth should be adequate testimonial to. all who may desire one. The Mikado's Government was not in the habit of wasting either their own or their people's time! The word Ju-jutsu itself has been variously translated into English, and perhaps I should add American, as meaning "muscle-breaking," "the excellent secret art," "the art of softness," or "the gentle art," but it is quite impossible to convey in one or two descriptive words of this sort what Ju-jutsu really is.
Perhaps it may not be without interest if I make here a slight digression and refer to a few somewhat analogous styles of self-defense, which are either now, or were formerly in vogue in Japan, most of which styles are more
or less related to Ju-jutsu, being either branching off from that science, or originally distinct systems from which the modern Judo, or Ju-jutsu, has been compounded. Judo may be roughly translated as "the soft way," as Ju-jutsu is anglicized into "the soft art," in opposition to Kendo or Ken-jutsu, "the hard way" and "the hard art" respectively. This last mentioned style of self-defense is the elaboration of the old two-sword play of the samurai or
"two-sworded men." And here the reader will probably grasp the inner truth of Ju-jutsu, the victor establishing the superiority of leverage and balance, two soft, delicate qualities, over the harder, rougher ones of strength and force.
One of the styles alluded to, known as the Kempo, which may be roughly described as a method of killing people, possessed many points of resemblance to Jujutsu but was totally different in practice, being a system
of self-defense against sudden attack with intent to kill and replying thereto in kind. It was certainly more closely related to Ju-jutsu than are Boxing (even under the old Prize Ring rules) or savate to Wrestling. It might perhaps be best compared to that very strenuous old Greek
Physical Contest, which was known as the Pancration. By-the-way, I may here remark on the possible derivation of the old English phrase "Kempery man" and the Anglo-Saxon cempa, signifying "a warrior," from the Japanese Kempo. This is a point which should not be without interest to etymologists, and particularly to those who follow the late Professor Max Muller in his theory of the Indo-Germanic origin of the Anglo-Saxon
Race. Kempo, of course, was a system of attack and defense which branched off from Ju-jutsu into the paths of strenuous endeavor, but, apart from the fact that it was less scientific than Ju-jutsu, it was declared an illegal practice when the sanctity of human life was recognized under
the new regime.
Another analogous system, known as tori in some parts of Japan and as shime in others, was an extension of Ju-jutsu in the department of ground work, and it is more than possible that many of the locks and holds of
Ju-jutsu were originated by exponents of tori. The last named system cannot, however, be compared with the "soft art" as a method of self-defense, as but slight importance was devoted to "throws," the modus operandi being mainly confined to falling to the ground yourself
and then pulling your opponent down, there to struggle for the victorious lock. I do not wish to imply that the power to dislocate a joint, break a limb, or even to kill an opponent, which were the cause of the prohibition of Kempo, do not exist in Ju-jutsu (since all experts are well acquainted with
them), but it will be as well to point out that these powers are rarely, if ever, exercised. The locks are so complete in themselves that the mere threat of damage which their application implies, is sufficient to induce even the most obstinate opponent to cry for quarter. It may perhaps be urged against Ju-jutsu that, among exponents who were lacking in the spirit of true sportsmanship, limbs might frequently be broken or dislocated, but I always remind such critics that even in rough mining and other districts, where everyone carries "a gun," people are generally particularly careful to play "the game" (what-ever it may be) strictly according to the rules. I will venture to claim for Ju-jutsu that it is not only the finest system of self-defense extant, but that it is also second to none as a system of Physical Culture, being unrivalled as a means of developing rapidity of movement, and perfect balance, and furthermore is certainly not to be despised as a means of developing strength and muscle of
the right quality.
Then again, it is a magnificent sport, game, or exercise, call it what you will, second to none in the mental, moral and physical qualities which it calls into play, and certainly superior to every other with which I am acquainted in that it is never monotonous or uninteresting
either to the performer or spectator. "Of the making of books there is no end, and much study may be a weariness to the flesh," perhaps, but I do
not believe that this treatise will altogether deserve the latter stricture, if it serves to correct some of the misconceptions in the public mind that have been instilled therein by several books which have recently appeared,
professing to give instruction in the whole art of Ju-jutsu. Consider, for instance, the various exercises which have been alleged to be essential preliminaries to Ju-jutsu training. Well, I have never seen any Ju-jutsuan who ever practiced them. In the old style of Ju-jutsu before my time, there was I believe an exercise called the tai atari or "toughing" exercise, in which the practitioners rushed at each other, chest to chest, somewhat in the style
of the exercise called chy-chy-Ki, practiced by the Sumo wrestlers, who develop their strength and hardiness by butting each other. In fact, all these "resistance" movements, concerning which certain pseudo authorities on
Ju-jutsu have been so fluent, would, if of any practical value at all, be more suitable as training for the Sumo style of wrestling than for Ju-jutsu. For Sumo is contested by big heavy men, often standing about six feet in
height and weighing from eighteen to twenty stone, who rely almost entirely on their strength and avoirdupois to give them the victory, not that they are without various tricks, holds and moves of their own. Such training as the Ju-jutsu novice does indulge in is taught in the schools in Japan, and is styled the taiso-no-kata, or physical culture exercise for boys and girls,
comprising