Bartitsu: A Beginning Class in the Martial Art of Sherlock Holmes: Bartitsu!

This is a purely beginners introduction to the Mixed Martial Art of Bartitsu, instructed by Jujitsu Black Belt Prof. Allen Reed. The first part focuses on the use of the cane, a common article for a gentleman to have in the Victorian/Edwardian era.

Bartitusu was invented by Edward Barton-Wright after learning jujitsu in Japan, then studying classic British pugilism, adding in French Savate Kicks and bringing in a Swiss cane Master (Vigny) to his Bartitsu Club in London. Aside from Bartitsu, the club also encouraged and taught revival of sword techniques and the early version of judo. Arthur Conan Doyle referenced Bartitsu (as Baritsu) in a Sherlock Holmes story.

Please keep in mind: these are not "polished" martial artists taking this class, but members of the public who came to learn at a Chautaqua exhibition in Rockford, Illinois.

Further Bartitsu videos by other professors are available on youtube to get a sense of other teachings styles and techniques.
Bartitsu clubs are now throughout the world and many members of the steampunk community have added it to their own collection of steampunk experiences.

Remember to look for Part Two to see the rest of this little introduction.    • Bartitsu: The (Almost) Lost Martial A...  

A great source for current information is: http://www.bartitsu.org/

The wikipedia entry for bartitsu: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartitsu

My club in Chicago: http://bartitsuclubofchicago.com/
(I'm at the far right in the photo!)

A nice article in The Atlantic magazine: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/arc...