A Beginning History of Old School Jujutsu - Part 1

Over the next couple of day's I will writing an article of the history of Pre-WWII Japanese Jujitsu/Judo. I wasn't sure where to start, but here I am so let's get started.

I'm going to start with H. Irving Hancock, who in the early 1900's wrote several books on the history of Japanese physical training & Jujitsu. I will start with his book Japanese Physical Training written in 1903.

"Subsequently he studied in Nagasaki, under Inouye San, instructor of Jiu-jitsu in the police department of that city".

This was the first time I heard of Inouye. Now if we look at Hancock's other book Jiu-jitsu Combat Tricks written a year later in 1904:

"Exponents of the Tenjin School of jiu-jitsu have developed in all its possible perfection a style of stopping the boxer's blow that cannot be surpassed for neatness of execution, effectiveness and swiftness. It is a feat that applies only to stopping a left-hand blow by the boxer."

Before leaving this book, the reason for the above two quotes are:

1.) The mentioning of Inouye, the jujitsu instructor of the Nagasaki police dept.

2.) The mention of the system "Tenjin/Tenshin"

Later you will see where I'm going with this.

Another quote that is very interesting.

"In Japan the full course in jiu-jitsu requires four years time".

That seems very reasonable, as I have read that it takes about 15 years to receive a Menkyo Kaiden in Tenjin Shinyo Ryu today. The question is, why so long? I don't have 15 years to devote to one art.

At this point I would like to bring up another old book on jiu-jitsu, "THE YABE SCHOOL OF JIU JITSU" written in 1904 by Yae Kichi Yabe. In Yabe's book he mentions that the system is based on that of "Tenshin". Also in this book is the phase "Vital Touches" used to describe Atemi or "Ate"!

Professor John J. O'Brien states that he received his diploma in Jiu Jitsu in 1905 from the Governor of Nagasaki. O'Brien spent ten years as Inspector of Police in Nagasaki. He was responsible for introducing Presiedent Teddy Roosevelt to Jiu Jitsu as well as instructing Colonel A.J. Drexel Biddle.

Next we move on to Col. Risher W. Thornberry. Thornberry wrote several books on jujitsu from 1905 to 1933. In his first jujitsu book written in 1905, the first page is very interesting. It shows a picture of Prof. Kishoku Inouye, "Instructor to the Nagasaki Police". At the top of the page it reads, "Jiu-jitsu - As taught by Prof. Inouye to over 2,000 Officers and Soldiers now at the front line." Reference to the Russo/Japanese war.

This book was written only a year or two after Hancock's book. They both mention Inouye & Tenshin. A definite connection is beginning to develop.

An interesting quote from Thornberry's book,

"Jiu-jitsu has a weapon in the form of "atemi, or vital touches", which may be administered with the thumb, the clenched hand, the elbows, the tows, the edge of the hand, or even with the head." Again, the reason for mentioning this quote is the use of the word "Vital touches".

Research shows that Thornberry actively taught jiu-jitsu. One of Thornberry's students was Samuel R. Linck. Linck went on to publish a book in 1943 called "COMBAT JIU JITSU". An excellent book. Linck studied under Thornberry in Los Angeles for a number of years. Linck received a "Master Diploma" from Thornberry in "Tenshin Ryu" dated May 6th, 1935.

In Linck's book he offers a brief history of jiu-jitsu.

"These forms of the art were closely guarded and only taught to the samurai or warrior class, the group now known as the Black Dragon Society".

Linck taught a man by the name George Tate. Linck and Tate taught a jiu-jitsu class in Los Angeles. Later on, Tate succeeded Linck as instructor and continued to teach and train in Jiu-jitsu. Tate went on to become the jiu-jitsu instructor for the Los Angeles police department and later conducted class at the L.A. Judo Club.

Copyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com ©

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. He is continually improving himself through his studies. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement, military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl's ranks and honors.

Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu

Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle

Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)

Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada

Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki

Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka

Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka

Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu

Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson

---

Martial Arts: Mind, Body and Spirit Presented Online

This Martial Arts website uses body, spirit and mind to construct an excellent example of the quality and amount of information you can put on your website.http://www.taichiacademy.com.au/default.htmI... Read More

Learning the Modern Dynamics of Judo

You may have the erroneous idea that force is not necessary in judo, especially when you see a sixty-year-old instructor throwing many young- and strong men seemingly... Read More

How to Become A Modern-Day Ninja Master

The ninja were a military order in Japan. Most people have seen them in movies and fictional books.They are the guys dressed in the black suits that... Read More

Its Not a Matter of Who is Right

"People here may belittle sports arts...."Who?Almost EVERY "combatives" man of any note CAME from a combative sports background. Boxing, wrestling, judo. WEF and O'Neill (SIXTH DAN-Kodokan Judo-personal... Read More

How to Relax During a Fight

I received a returned video from a well meaning, but severely misguided, former customer. This is a rarity since over the past 2 plus years and hundreds... Read More

The Dojo

Just as an aside. For those who would "box" us in to specific "category".........We don't just write articles. There is a place we actually train in these... Read More

Martial Arts

Traditionally, people trained in Martial Arts in order to utilized their skills as a form of attack and defense in both armed and unarmed combat. Today,... Read More

What Can We Learn From What Has Already Been Done?

Pre-WWII Judo was a far different thing than what we see now.The Japanese in particular, being on a global war footing, practiced a type of Judo that... Read More

The Rebels Guide to Cultivating Vitality

Many Taoists recluses and Buddhists monks dwelled in mountains and forests to observe, listen, and meditate in order to gather deeper understanding and greater knowledge of nature... Read More

A Beginning History of Old School Jujutsu - Part 1

Over the next couple of day's I will writing an article of the history of Pre-WWII Japanese Jujitsu/Judo. I wasn't sure where to start, but here I... Read More

Eight Simple Rules for Saving Your Life

Let's put the non-lethal fantasy to rest.1. Never trust your assailant. No matter what they say, no matter how believable they may sound. If they need a... Read More

A Great Question!

It's a question that we went back and forth with for awhile ourselves many moons ago. The "how" and "why" of our conclusions may be of some... Read More

Things to Know About Learning Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Chi Boxing)

For Easterners, particularly Chinese, this MAY not be an issue. Tai Chi Chuan is deeply rooted as part of the Chinese culture. It is known to almost... Read More

Samurai Armor Part 1

The first prototype for Japanese samurai armor came about in the form of the yoroi during the Gempei War of 1181-1185. The weight of the yoroi was... Read More

Historical References to W.E. Fairbairn, E.A. Sykes AND Dermot Pat ONeill

FROM THE BOOK: "PIERCING THE REICH" AUTHOR: JOSEPH E. PERSICOThey learned the art of silent killing, perfected by W.E. Fairbairn, the legendary British Major, sometimes known as... Read More

Do You Take Yours Trained or Untrained?

If you ain't pissing anyone off, you're not doing anything worth while. Like religion and politics, martial arts are not for a lack of its zealots. Decide... Read More

The Shocking Truth About Stun Guns

If you are outside the world of law enforcement, chances are you haven't had much "hands on" work with stun guns. Stun guns are as popular today... Read More

So You Think You Train Hard

"Tokio Hirano (1922-1993) 8th Dan The Man Who Revolutionized Judo" By Jim Chen, M.D . and Theodore ChenHirano 7th Dan At Age 42Tokio Hirano (5'5", 75 kg),... Read More

By-Rote Combinations

Do not believe that practicing "by rote" 1-2-3,etc. type "responses" to street attacks is a viable or particularly useful training exercise. Example: He does this, I do... Read More

I Know Karate and Kung Fu and Lots of Other Foreign Words!

Martial arts have become incredibly popular in the US. Drive through any little strip shopping center in nearly any city and you're likely to see a martial... Read More

The Acronym That Saved My Life

Frequently, I get asked about certifications, systems or methods. We made a decision a long time ago of purposely staying away from things like this.Obviously, it's a... Read More

Fronting

"Fronting": The dodge to get in close to you. The frontal assault, as opposed to the ambush.Fronting can be either a direct confrontation (intimidation) or it can... Read More

Aikido Philosophy: An Oriental Concept of Energy, Self, and Mind

PrefaceThere are many different ways to understand Aikido philosophy and perceive, utilize, and benefit from energy. What I offer here is one of many ways. Indeed when... Read More

Break the Bones

"HONE O ORERU" is a Japanese term that translates literally as "BREAK THE BONES". It is an essential concept of true SHUGYO and a central theme of... Read More

Real Life Self-Defense Starts From...

"Nicky Bats" was an "old school" kinda guy. He was "street" thru and thru. He was a hard bark tough as nails S.O.B. He was a survivor.... Read More

Dermot Michael (Pat) ONeill

Dermot O'Neill was born in 1905 in County Cork, Ireland. As a teenager he traveled to China, and settled in Shanghai. In 1925, at the age of... Read More