Bartitsu update

I have taken a bit of time over winter to consider the approach, and the European Defensive Arts School (EDAS) has provided feedback on the training program proposed, with additional reviews from specialists and critics.

To this end, the regime will change somewhat over the coming weeks. Further, as we progress into Spring and the winter exercise apathy sheds itself from our cold muscles, we shall have more updates and progress reports, with photos.

EDAS is planning on running 80 minute to 40 minute alternating sessions between a primary and secondary focus. The focus areas will be calisthenics, sword, longsword, rapier, cane, and unarmed/transition with a Bartitsu or neo-Bartitsu flavour.

The difference between the primary and secondary focus is that everyone trains in the primary focus, while the secondary focus later in the evening is more fluid, can be changed and does not need the entire group to participate; they may choose to break off into combat lab teams in any of these, or other, focus areas.

As the needs of EDAS evolve, I suspect this structure will remain with the primary focus being dictated by the needs of the group. For example, should there be an event in rapier, then we would likely focus on that for fortnightly sessions while interspersing the rest of the focus areas. There has been a call for more unarmed to bring people up to a basic competency, so this will be the fortnightly focus for the next month or so.

I'm looking forward to it.

Bartitsu White Sash Grading ... how to get there

The training template (for me) so far is as follows:

1. Basis

• Grab a cooking pot and add the following (Jujitsu, savate, cane fighting [heavy & light], European sword arts, body conditioning, wrestling, and boxing). I will also add my own martial and military background. There are additional elements, such as specific weapons (eg. parasol, hooked cane) and combat forms (eg. shin kicking/wrestling 'styles').

2. Bartitsu and neo-Bartitsu 'pillars' could be:

For all:

• Body/Physical conditioning (physical exercises including breakfalls)
• Sparring (unarmed, cane, sword, parasol, etc.)
• Competition/tournament/living history

Specialisations:

• Unarmed combat (Including savate, boxing, jujitsu, etc.)
• Wrestling (European/Greek wrestling, jujitsu, etc.)
• Sword (European sword combinations, as per Silver, Hutton, German Longsword, Barton, Lang, Cunningham, et al.)
• Cane (Heavy, light, hooked cane, parasol, etc.)

3. Aims and Plans

• The aim is to get everyone to a common level as quickly as possible. The plan to do this is via a 'basic level' training program that is assessed for competence. This 'basic level' program will include simple skills from all elements above.
• After a common ground-work has been established, students then specialise in one of the four (combat, wrestling, sword, cane) and all have requirements within the sparring, physical, and competition/Living History elements.

4. Basic training program

• Training hall opens
• 20 mins - Physical activities (warm ups, calisthenics, etc)
• 30 mins - First session (Focus on one of the pillars [cane, sword, etc])
• 10 mins - Break
• 30 mins - Second session (Focus on one of the pillars [basic, hand, throws, etc])
• 20 mins - Free play/sparring (kumite)/competition (taikai)

5. Bartitsu White Sash Grading (3 months and 10 'classes')

5A. Entry criteria:

• It should be assumed that the student generally has no prior knowledge of martial arts or swordwork (armed or unarmed combat and sparring in general) and therefore no knowledge of the protocols or techniques. 
• Physical capabilities of individuals will differ greatly. 
• It is expected that entry to the grading/assessment will be granted after 3 months calendar time which should have included at least 10 classes.

5B: Learning outcomes:

• Discuss the historical background of Bartitsu.
• Discuss the potential of neo-Bartitsu.
• Demonstrate basic competence in body conditioning, unarmed combat, wrestling, sword, and cane.

5C: Training objectives:

• Discuss Bartitsu Club of 1899-1901
• Demonstrate training safety
• Demonstrate a set of physical exercises (Series 1, Tony Wolf - Compendium Vol 2, page 292)
• Demonstrate basic stances (Compendium Vol 1, page 182-183)
• Demonstrate basic unarmed self defence (Compendium Vol 1, page 186-187, 189-191, 222 A-A1; Compendium Vol 2, page 92-93, 100 #18)
• Demonstrate competence with sword
• Demonstrate competence with cane
• Demonstrate simple breakfalls (Compendium Vol 2, page 63-65)

5D: Exit criteria:

• Completion of the grading component for the learning outcomes and training objectives.

5E: Other:

• White sash should be competent in basic defence, basic cane, basic sword, and some basic physical conditioning, like fitness and rolls/falls. 
• This should enable a basic competency for basic sparring, but sparring itself should not be graded at this stage. 
• You could include basic kit as a requirement, either for living history reenactment or a basic sparring kit.

6. Getting to Bartitsu White Sash Grading (3 months and 10 'classes')
6A: First class

• Training hall opens
• 20 mins - Physical activities (Exercise series 1 - Tony Wolf - Compendium Vol 2, page 292)
  
  • 1a. Head bending forward and backward [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 272]
  • 5. Trunk bending forward and backward [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 273]
  • 12. Arm raising forward (with dumb bells) [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 276]
  • 15. Arm spreading [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 276]
  • 20. Arm thrusting forward, upward and downward [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 279]
  • 25b. Raised stroke [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 280-281]
  • 26a. Hand bending upward and downward [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 281]
  • 32a. Leg swinging forward and backward [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 282]
  • 57. Knee balancing, with arm stretching [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 289]
  • 59. Dumb-bell shifting [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 290-291]
  • 40. Raising the lower leg [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 285]
  • 35. Drawing the legs together [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 283]
  • 42. Foot bending upward and downward [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 286]
• 30 mins - First session (Standing and moving)
• Demonstrate ready stance, on-guard stance (left lead and right lead), horse-riding stance, advancing from lead (left and right), and retreating from lead (left and right) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 182-183]
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
• Drill moving forward and backward with guard up
• Game of 'Simon Says' with stances
• 10 mins - Break
• 30 mins - Second session (Moving and punching)
• Demonstrate a fist and/or use of gloves
• Demonstrate lead off (left and right), to the mark (left and right), cross to the mark (left and right), and cross to the face (left and right) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 186-187]
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
  
• If necessary, an advanced student or instructor should gear up and allow students to practice these techniques against pads or person.
• Drill moving forward and backward with guard up
• Game of 'Simon Says' with punches
• 20 mins - Free play/kumite/taikai
• Review session based on student requirements
• Does anything need to be repeated or checked?
• Homework
• Practice stances and moving
• Practice moving and punching

6B: Second class:

• Training hall opens
• 20 mins - Physical activities (Exercise series 1 - Tony Wolf - Compendium Vol 2, page 292)
  
  • As per First class
• 30 mins - First session (Standing, moving, punching)
• Demonstrate stances, moving and punches [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 182-183, 186-187]
• Demonstrate defences [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 190-191]
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
• Drill moving forward and backward with guard up
• Game of 'Simon Says' with stances and punches
• One-step sparring with punch and block
• Optional, two-step sparring with punch, block and counter.
• 10 mins - Break
• 30 mins - Second session (Cane and Sword basics)
• Demonstrate most common way of holding cane and sword
• Demonstrate stances, guards and moving with cane and sword [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 184-185]
• Demonstrate strike to prime and seconde (cane and sword) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 191], strike to tierce, carte, and quinte (cane and sword) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 192]
• Demonstrate parries, septime envelope, quinte, high seconde, two handed hanging guard (left and right) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 194-195]
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
  
• If necessary, an advanced student or instructor should gear up and allow students to practice these techniques against pads or person.
• Drill moving forward and backward with guard up
• Game of 'Simon Says' with strikes and defences
• Supervised one-step with partner on strikes and defences
• 20 mins - Free play/kumite/taikai
• Review session based on student requirements
• Does anything need to be repeated or checked?
• If no, then this session should be used for practicing one-step and two-step sparring
• Homework
• Practice stances and moving (armed and unarmed)
• Practice moving and punching
• Read "The Master of Bartitsu" by Graham Noble in Journal of Asian Martial Arts, 8:2 (1999), 50-61 (can be found in Tony Wolf "The Bartitsu Compendium" Vol 1, pages 47-53).
• Practice one-step and two-step if partner is available

6C: Third class

• Training hall opens
• 20 mins - Physical activities (Exercise series 1 - Tony Wolf - Compendium Vol 2, page 292)
  
  • As per First class
• 30 mins - First session (Stances, punching, grapples, and defence)
• Demonstrate stances, moving and punches [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 182-183, 186-187]
• Demonstrate defences [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 190-191]
• One-step sparring with punch and block
• Demonstrate how to grapple
• Demonstrate practical self-defence against strike to face [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 219]
• Demonstrate defence from grabs [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 222 A to A1, TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 92-93 (#3), 95-96]
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
• Drill of one-step to practice self-defence
• 10 mins - Break
• 30 mins - Second session (Cane and Sword basics)
• Demonstrate holding cane and sword, stances, guards and moving with cane and sword [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 184-185]
• Demonstrate strike to prime and seconde (cane and sword) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 191], strike to tierce, carte, and quinte (cane and sword) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 192]
• Demonstrate parries, septime envelope, quinte, high seconde, two handed hanging guard (left and right) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 194-195]
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
  
• If necessary, an advanced student or instructor should gear up and allow students to practice these techniques against pads or person.
• Drill moving forward and backward with guard up
• Supervised one-step and two-step with partner on strikes and defences
  
• 20 mins - Free play/kumite/taikai
• Review session based on student requirements
• Does anything need to be repeated or checked?
• If no, then this session should be used for practicing one-step and two-step sparring
  
• Homework
• Practice stances and moving (armed and unarmed)
• Practice punching and blocking
• Read "How to Pose as a Strong Man" by E. Barton-Wright in Pearson's Magazine, January 1899 (can be found in Tony Wolf "The Bartitsu Compendium" Vol 1, pages 259-267).
• Practice one-step and two-step (armed and unarmed) if partner is available

6D: Fourth class

• Training hall opens
• 20 mins - Physical activities (Exercise series 1 - Tony Wolf - Compendium Vol 2, page 292)
  
  • As per First class
• 30 mins - First session (Stances, punching, grapples, and defence)
• Demonstrate stances, moving, punches & defences [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 182-183, 186-187, 190-191]
• Demonstrate practical self-defence [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 219, 222 A to A1, TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 92-93 (#3), 95-96]
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
• Drill of one-step and two-step to practice self-defence
• 10 mins - Break
• 30 mins - Second session (Cane and Sword basics)
• Demonstrate holding cane and sword, stances, guards and moving with cane and sword [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 184-185]
• Demonstrate strike to prime and seconde (cane and sword) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 191], strike to tierce, carte, and quinte (cane and sword) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 192]
• Demonstrate parries, septime envelope, quinte, high seconde, two handed hanging guard (left and right) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 194-195]
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
  
• If necessary, an advanced student or instructor should gear up and allow students to practice these techniques against pads or person.
• Drill moving forward and backward with attacks and defence
• One-step and two-step with partner on strikes and defences
  
• 20 mins - Free play/kumite/taikai
• Review session based on student requirements
• Does anything need to be repeated or checked?
• If no, then this session should be used for practicing one-step and two-step sparring
  
• Homework
• Practice stances and moving (armed and unarmed)
• Practice punching and blocking
  
• Read "How to Pose as a Strong Man" by E. Barton-Wright in Pearson's Magazine, January, 1899 (can be found in Tony Wolf "The Bartitsu Compendium" Vol 1, pages 259-267).
• Practice some of these tricks
• Practice one-step and two-step (armed and unarmed) if partner is available
  

 6E: Fifth class

• Training hall opens
• 20 mins - Physical activities (Exercise series 1 - Tony Wolf - Compendium Vol 2, page 292)
  
  • As per First class
• 30 mins - First session (Breakfalls)
• Demonstrate preparatory, side, backward, and forward [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 63-64]
• There are 'more preparatory' levels that can be used for these breakfalls
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
• Drill performing these falls and practice
• 10 mins - Break
• 30 mins - Second session (Unarmed combat)
• Demonstrate practical self-defence [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 219, 222 A to A1, TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 92-93 (#3), 95-96]
• Demonstrate practical self-defence [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 99 (#15), 181-182, TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 204-207]
• Demonstrate wrestling [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 222-223, 230]
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
• Drill of one-step and two-step to practice self-defence
• 20 mins - Free play/kumite/taikai
• Review session based on student requirements
• Does anything need to be repeated or checked?
• If no, then this session should be used for practicing one-step and two-step sparring or to review the class
  
• Homework
• Practice previous techniques.
• Read "The New Art of Self-Defence: How a Man may Defend Himself against every Form of Attack" by E.W. Barton-Wright in Pearson's Magazine, March, 1899 (can be found in Tony Wolf "The Bartitsu Compendium" Vol 1, pages 200-210).
• Practice one-step and two-step (armed and unarmed) if partner is available
  

6F: Sixth class

• Training hall opens
• 20 mins - Physical activities (Exercise series 1 - Tony Wolf - Compendium Vol 2, page 292)
  
  • As per First class
• 30 mins - First session (Cane)
• Demonstrate holding cane and sword, stances, guards and moving with cane and sword [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 184-185]
• Demonstrate strike to prime and seconde (cane and sword) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 191], strike to tierce, carte, and quinte (cane and sword) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 192]
• Demonstrate parries, septime envelope, quinte, high seconde, two handed hanging guard (left and right) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 194-195]
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
• Drill of one-step and two-step to practice self-defence
• 10 mins - Break
• 30 mins - Second session (Sword)
• Demonstrate holding cane and sword, stances, guards and moving with cane and sword [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 184-185]
• Demonstrate strike to prime and seconde (cane and sword) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 191], strike to tierce, carte, and quinte (cane and sword) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 192]
• Demonstrate parries, septime envelope, quinte, high seconde, two handed hanging guard (left and right) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 194-195]
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
• Drill of one-step and two-step to practice self-defence
• 20 mins - Free play/kumite/taikai
• Review session based on student requirements
• Does anything need to be repeated or checked?
• If no, then this session should be used for supervised and very slow sparring (armed or unarmed) with minimum armour requirements
  
• Homework
• Practice cane and sword techniques
• Practice one-step and two-step (armed and unarmed) if partner is available

6G: Seventh class

• Training hall opens
• 20 mins - Physical activities (Exercise series 1 - Tony Wolf - Compendium Vol 2, page 292)
  
  • As per First class
• 30 mins - First session (Stances, punching, grapples, and defence)
• Demonstrate stances, moving, punches & defences [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 182-183, 186-187, 190-191]
• Demonstrate practical self-defence [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 219, 222 A to A1, TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 92-93 (#3), 95-96]
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
• Drill of one-step and two-step to practice self-defence
• 10 mins - Break
• 30 mins - Second session (Cane and Sword basics)
• Demonstrate holding cane and sword, stances, guards and moving with cane and sword [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 184-185]
• Demonstrate strike to prime and seconde (cane and sword) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 191], strike to tierce, carte, and quinte (cane and sword) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 192]
• Demonstrate parries, septime envelope, quinte, high seconde, two handed hanging guard (left and right) [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 194-195]
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
  
• If necessary, an advanced student or instructor should gear up and allow students to practice these techniques against pads or person.
• Drill moving forward and backward with attacks and defence
• One-step and two-step with partner on strikes and defences
  
• 20 mins - Free play/kumite/taikai
• Review session based on student requirements
• Does anything need to be repeated or checked?
• If no, then this session should be used for practicing one-step and two-step sparring
• Homework
• Practice techniques both solo and, if possible, with a partner.
• Read Tony Wolf 'The "Army tip", "confounded rot" and neo-Bartitsu pedagogy' (in Tony Wolf "The Bartitsu Compendium" Vol 2, pages 30-54).
• Practice one-step and two-step (armed and unarmed) if partner is available

 6H: Eighth class

• Training hall opens
• 20 mins - Physical activities (Exercise series 1 - Tony Wolf - Compendium Vol 2, page 292)
  
  • As per First class
• 30 mins - First session (Breakfalls)
• Demonstrate preparatory, side, backward, and forward [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 63-64]
• There are 'more preparatory' levels that can be used for these breakfalls
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
• Drill performing these falls and practice
• 10 mins - Break
• 30 mins - Second session (Unarmed combat)
• Demonstrate practical self-defence [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 219, 222 A to A1, TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 92-93 (#3), 95-96]
• Demonstrate practical self-defence [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 99 (#15), 181-182, TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 204-207]
• Demonstrate wrestling [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 222-223, 230]
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
• Drill of one-step and two-step to practice self-defence
• 20 mins - Free play/kumite/taikai
• Review session based on student requirements
• Does anything need to be repeated or checked?
• If no, then this session should be used for practicing one-step and two-step sparring or to review the class
  
• Homework
• Practice all previous techniques demonstrated
• Read 'The Manly Arts of Self-Defence in Victorian and Edwardian England (can be found in Tony Wolf "The Bartitsu Compendium" Vol 1, pages 21-40).
• Practice one-step and two-step (armed and unarmed) if partner is available

 6I: Ninth class

• Training hall opens
• 20 mins - Physical activities (Exercise series 1 - Tony Wolf - Compendium Vol 2, page 292)
  
  • As per First class
• 40 mins - First session (Unarmed tournament/competition)
• Beginner sparring rules (only what is in syllabus so far - no locks, holds, throws, take-downs)
• Scoring to be determined as needed (MMA rules)
• Other events for seniors can also be held on the same session with beginners providing support
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
• Drill of one-step and two-step to practice self-defence
• 10 mins - Break
• 40 mins - Second session (Armed tournament/competition)
• Beginner sparring rules (only what is in syllabus so far - no locks, holds, throws, take-downs)
• Scoring to be determined as needed.
  
• Other events for seniors can also be held on the same session with beginners providing support
• Students should mirror the instructor
• Instructor should provide guidance and assistance
• Drill of one-step and two-step to practice self-defence
• Homework
• Practice techniques both solo and, if possible, with a partner.
• Practice one-step and two-step (armed and unarmed) if partner is available

 6J: Tenth class

• Training hall opens
• 20 mins - Physical activities (Exercise series 1 - Tony Wolf - Compendium Vol 2, page 292)
  
  • As per First class
• 30 mins - First session (Unarmed review - get students to demonstrate)
• Physical activities from Exercise series 1 [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 272-286, 292]
• Bartitsu canonical syllabus [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 182-183, 185-187, 190-191, 219, 222 A-A1]
• Bartitsu canonical syllabus [TW-TBC-Vol 2, page 63-35, 92-93 (#3), 95-96, 99 (#15), 100 (#18), 181-182, 204-207, 222-223, 230]
  
•  Demonstrate one-step, two-step and sparring with these techniques
• 10 mins - Break
• 30 mins - Second session (Armed review)
• Bartitsu basics [TW-TBC-Vol 1, page 184-185, 191-192, 194-195]
• Demonstrate one-step, two-step and sparring with these techniques
• 20 mins - Free play/kumite/taikai
• Review session based on student requirements
• Does anything need to be repeated or checked?
• If no, then this session should be used for practicing one-step and two-step sparring or to review the class
• Clarify willingness of students who are ready to grade for the Bartitsu White Sash
• Homework
• Practice, practice, practice.

Introduction

I was introduced to Bartitsu through a friend of mine who wanted to put together a European Defensive Arts School (EDAS) in Brisbane. I am always up for a bit of combat fun with people who aren't going to take things personally and are willing to share and have patience in training hard.

I had never heard of it, so I started to read up on it and it's basis. I was intrigued that Edward William Barton Wright (1860 - 1951) had been introduced to jujutsu and judo in Japan and had opened his own mixed martial arts training hall in London in 1899. This style of combat was given the name of Bartitsu.

"... I have some knowledge, however, of baritsu, or the Japanese system of wrestling, which has more than once been very useful to me." - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Return of Sherlock Holmes - The Case of the Empty House.

Our melting pot has been savate, wrestling, boxing, heavy and light cane fighting, jujutsu, and sword. Plus the individual backgrounds, mostly in European combat arts, of the core team. I was the only one with a significant martial arts background as well - with instructor level qualifications in karate, kung fu, ninjutsu, and aikido. Although I have had no formal qualification in jujutsu, I have studied it at various schools over the years.

The European Defensive Arts School (EDAS) was established and trains weekly in Brisbane, based on the canonical Bartitsu as provided by Tony Wolf and the Bartitsu-ka of the Bartitsu Society. We established training programs and attend living history events... I don't so much as the historical recreation is of interest only so much.

Which is what brings us to this post and introduction.

I am about to set off on the investigation and development of neo-Bartitsu canon and establish a training regime. Further, I will be documenting this canon and training documentation so that others can also participate.

This blog will provide insight and summaries of conclusions and outcomes. Join me in the journey.