Testing the water re. Bartitsu book

[DdlR]

There has been some discussion in the Bartitsu Society about producing a new book, and it would be good to get some "outsider" perspective.

Over the past four years the Society has already produced two comprehensive books on the art, vide the Bartitsu Compendium, volumes 1 and 2.

For the completely uninitiated, here's some Bartitsu history in a small nutshell:

YouTube - Bartitsu: the Gentlemanly Art of Self Defence

The idea behind the proposed book project would not be to create another instructional manual, but to put together a pop-cultural history of Bartitsu; what happened when E.W. Barton-Wright introduced Japanese martial arts to the West, the creation of Bartitsu as the first mixed Asian/European fighting style, and the social aftermath. The focus would be on personalities, politics and history more than on techniques and training.

Any feedback on the book idea will be appreciated.

[johnevans]

I think that having another well-researched martial arts history book out there is always a great idea. As someone who is not planning on practicing the art, I would be MORE interested in a book like you are describing than in a technical manual.

It would be great to see the book discuss things like the impact of Bartitsu on martial arts today, and things like that.

[A.M.]

Yeah it would be nice to see a book that is half history/ half instructional.

[johnevans]

Are there currently any Bartitsu competitions? How do organizations rank/decide when someone has become competent in Bartitsu?

[DdlR]

Are there currently any Bartitsu competitions? How do organizations rank/decide when someone has become competent in Bartitsu?

No, and they don't.

There has been some discussion about Bartitsu competitions based on the c1900 style vs. style format, i.e. "scientific boxing" vs. pre-WW1 jujutsu, etc. Basically, there are nowhere near enough practitioners to make competitions viable.

In terms of informal sparring, it somewhat resembles Dog Brothers stickfighting/grappling when canes are involved and a more "formal" version of MMA-type fighting when unarmed.

The Bartitsu Society recognizes a small number of practitioners as being qualified to teach the art, or aspects of it, based on their prior experience and commitment. There are no ranks in modern Bartitsu (there weren't any in the original, either) and the Society is apolitical; it just exists to network interested parties.

[DdlR]

I should add that at least one Bartitsu group, in the Netherlands, does offer jujutsu belt ranks for that aspect of the art. It's really up to individual groups to decide, but there are no universal or standard ranks and most groups don't bother with them.

[Styygens]

I'd be interested in this book. Can you point me in the direction of the other two books already published? I'd be interested in getting them too.

[Diesel_tke]

I would be interested in all of the books you describe. I have a couple of martial arts history books and I love them. I hope this goes through. Also, links to the other books?

[DdlR]

The Bartitsu Compendium volume 1 is about 2/3 historical material and 1/3 "canonical syllabus", which are the stick fighting and classical jujutsu techniques specifically identified as part of the Bartitsu curriculum by Barton-Wright.

Volume 2 is 2/3 resource material for neo-Bartitsu (i.e., modern interpretations based on pre-WW1 boxing, jujutsu, savate and Vigny/Lang stick fighting) and 1/3 historical essays, etc.

Incidentally, all proceeds from the sales of those books go towards buying a gravestone for E.W. Barton-Wright and advancing the study of Bartitsu.

[Goju - Joe]

Ask guy Ritchie to contribute a passage about it since it plays an important part in his up coming Sherlock holmes movie

Seriously, find out his production company info and send them a note

[DdlR]

The Bartitsu Society actually gave copies of both volumes of the Compendium to the Sherlock Holmes movie production team. That's not to say that the fight choreography in the movie is expected to be "real" Bartitsu, but it's good to know the stunt team had access to the real stuff as inspiration.

[Styygens]

That's not to say that the fight choreography in the movie is expected to be "real" Bartitsu, but it's good to know the stunt team had access to the real stuff as inspiration.

I have my fingers crossed. I'm really looking forward to this movie, and I'm hoping it showcases the arts well.

If it turns out to be generic Hollywood Kung Fu... Personally, I'll be disappointed.

[Sley]

I have my fingers crossed. I'm really looking forward to this movie, and I'm hoping it showcases the arts well.

If it turns out to be generic Hollywood Kung Fu... Personally, I'll be disappointed.

I will be pissed if I do not see any fisticuffs, and if their is to much Chun...

[DdlR]

I have my fingers crossed. I'm really looking forward to this movie, and I'm hoping it showcases the arts well.

If it turns out to be generic Hollywood Kung Fu... Personally, I'll be disappointed.

FWIW Richard Ryan, the fight choreographer, has a good rep. and did all the fight scenes for Troy, among other movies.

That said, Sherlock Holmes studied "baritsu", rather than Bartitsu; and the story in which he used "baritsu" was set before Bartitsu had even been invented. That does offer the filmmakers considerable (legitimate) artistic license in coming up with a fighting style for the movie.

The main thing from the Bartitsu Society's point of view is that the movie will establish a link between martial arts and the Victorian period in the popular imagination. If at least some audience members then get curious about the actual history, all the better.

[DdlR]

I will be pissed if I do not see any fisticuffs, and if their is to much Chun...

It'll be interesting to see how that handle that. Robert Downey Jr. is a keen Chunner, but there are strong similarities between old-school pugilism and WC anyway - vertical fist punches, relatively upright fighting stance, etc.