Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls. Illustration by Sidney Paget for the Sherlock Holmes story “The Final Problem” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which appeared in “The Strand Magazine” in December 1893. The original caption was “THE DEATH OF SHERLOCK HOLMES.” Illustration cropped.
Bartitsu, a Victorian martial art developed by Edward William Barton-Wright, is a unique blend of various fighting styles, including jujitsu, boxing, savate, and stick fighting. This eclectic mix makes Bartitsu a versatile and effective self-defense system. The core tactics of Bartitsu revolve around several key principles: avoiding conflict, effective action, controlling the initiative, adaptability, and pragmatism.
History of Bartitsu
Edward William Barton-Wright, an English engineer and martial artist, founded Bartitsu in the late 19th century. After spending several years in Japan, Barton-Wright returned to England in 1898, bringing with him the knowledge of jujitsu. He combined this with elements of Western boxing, French savate (a form of kickboxing), and stick fighting techniques from the Swiss discipline of la canne. Barton-Wright’s goal was to create a comprehensive self-defense system that could be used by gentlemen in the unpredictable streets of Victorian London.
Bartitsu gained popularity through Barton-Wright’s articles in magazines and public demonstrations. He opened the Bartitsu Academy of Arms and Physical Culture in London, where he taught his system to students from various walks of life. The academy offered classes in jujitsu, boxing, savate, and stick fighting, as well as physical fitness training.
Despite its initial success, Bartitsu’s popularity waned after a few years, and the academy eventually closed. However, the art experienced a resurgence in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, thanks in part to its mention in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. Today, Bartitsu is practiced by a growing number of martial arts enthusiasts around the world, who appreciate its historical significance and practical applications.
Core Tactics of Bartitsu
Avoiding Conflict: At the heart of Bartitsu lies the principle of avoiding conflict whenever possible. Logic dictates that the best defense is not to be attacked in the first place. Practitioners are encouraged to use their intellect to assess their surroundings and be aware of potential threats. By maintaining a mental map of their environment, they can identify and avoid dangerous situations before they escalate. Key takeaways by Barton-Wright include:
Avoid conflict where possible.
Consider your surroundings.
Be aware of yourself and your position.
Identify the position of possible threats.
Mentally map out your location.
The idea of avoiding conflict whenever possible is timeless. Being aware of your surroundings and potential threats is crucial in today’s world, just as it was in Victorian times. This principle encourages situational awareness and proactive measures to stay safe.
Effective Action: When conflict is unavoidable, Bartitsu emphasizes the importance of effective action. This involves using a sound knowledge of balance and leverage applied to human anatomy. Practitioners should employ the element of surprise to disrupt their opponent’s equilibrium, thereby negating their strength. If necessary, they should target the joints, applying pressure where the opponent is anatomically unable to resist. Key takeaways by Barton-Wright include:
Be urgent with your action.
Disrupt your opponent’s focus.
Be efficient with your techniques.
Controlling the Initiative: Controlling the initiative is a fundamental principle in Bartitsu. Losing the initiative can be detrimental, so practitioners must employ defensive actions that simultaneously defend and counterattack. Pre-emptive strikes or feints can force an opponent into a reactive state, interrupting their initiative. Manipulating the opponent’s balance can weaken their offense and deprive them of leverage. Key takeaways by Barton-Wright include:
Disrupt your opponent’s equilibrium.
Utilize pre-emptive strikes, feints, and artifice to force your opponent into a reactive state.
Manipulate your opponent’s balance to deprive them of their leverage.
Simultaneously defend and counterattack to regain the initiative.
Maintaining control of a situation is a key aspect of self-defense. The ability to pre-emptively strike, feint, and manipulate an opponent’s balance to regain the initiative is valuable in any confrontation.
Adaptability: Adaptability is crucial in Bartitsu. Practitioners must be prepared to embrace every eventuality, basing their defense and counterattack on the actions of their opponent. Bartitsu incorporates techniques from multiple disciplines and encourages the use of everyday objects as weapons. Distance control, invitations, pre-emptive strikes, and leverage control are some of the tools at the practitioner’s disposal. Key takeaways by Barton-Wright include:
Apply techniques as required by the needs of the moment.
Adapt to the situation at hand, including the surroundings, the opponent(s), and available items.
Always adapt to take and control the initiative.
The need to adapt to different situations, opponents, and environments is as important today as it was in the past. Bartitsu’s incorporation of various martial arts techniques and the use of everyday objects as weapons highlight the importance of being versatile and resourceful.
Pragmatism: Pragmatism in Bartitsu involves evaluating theories and concepts against the terms of success. While the principles are universal, variables such as the practitioner, opponent, and surroundings will influence the techniques used. The syllabus is not rigid; practitioners are encouraged to explore and adopt new methods. Key takeaways by Barton-Wright include:
No method is too severe to overthrow an assailant.
Embrace and explore concepts, techniques, and scenarios.
Use what works for you.
Bartitsu is not just a set of techniques but rather a collection of principles.
Evaluating and applying techniques based on their effectiveness is a practical approach to self-defense. Bartitsu’s focus on using what works and adapting to the situation at hand is a principle that transcends time.
Similarities with Jeet Kune Do
There are several similarities between Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do philosophy and Bartitsu. Both martial arts emphasize practicality, adaptability, and efficiency in self-defense. They focus on practical techniques for real-world situations, prioritize effectiveness over tradition, and advocate for using minimal energy for maximum effect. Both systems integrate multiple fighting styles and encourage the use of everyday objects as weapons. Additionally, they have strong philosophical foundations, emphasizing personal growth and a scientific approach to self-defense.
Final Thoughts
Bartitsu is a scientific martial art that seamlessly integrates mental and physical capabilities to form a comprehensive self-defense system. Its core tactics—avoiding conflict, effective action, controlling the initiative, adaptability, and pragmatism—are timeless principles that can significantly enhance personal safety and self-defense in today’s world. These principles provide a solid foundation for anyone seeking to improve their self-defense skills while embracing the rich history and enduring principles of this unique martial art.
Resource
The Bartitsu Club
bartitsu.club.
*The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.