Oldie: "American Jiu Jitsu"

[joesteph]

An American named Len Lanius published a book in 1922 called "American Jiu Jitsu." I learned about it from Iain Abernethy's January 2009 Newsletter, and it's available for free download from Iain Abernethy's web site, along with other free, downloadable books, which the Newsletter said can be gotten by clicking here. (If you see a price, it's for the book in print instead of your choosing the free download.)

It's American wrestling that he had mastered and was apparently influenced by the Japanese when developing his own style.

After scanning through the book, I've started studying it, and I'm just on Part I, which has three lessons.

In Lesson 1, he starts with unbalancing the opponent, "Unbalancing by Retreat" having two ways to unbalance, by stepping back, and "Unbalancing by Attack," which is to unbalance your opponent by chucking him to one side.

In Lesson 2, there's the "Front Leg Throw" and the "Back Leg Throw," the latter looking much like a Judo/JuJitsu move. He also has a "Back Heel Throw," using the heel to whack the back of the opponent's knee.

Lesson 3 has "Breaking Opponent's Hold on Your Wrist," which is teaching how to twist your hands the proper way to break free from a double wrist grab, and "Breaking Hold on Wrist by Using Fulcrum" looks so much like the first move in the very first defense against the wrist grab I was taught in Soo Bahk Do.

You might want to download the book and scan through it to see if you recognize moves you study yourself today. Once you get past the "shock" that the men aren't wearing martial art uniforms, I think you might find it interesting.

[ps1]

An interesting read for sure. I think, for it's time, having a text devoted to teaching martial art techniques was revolutionary. However, I think the technique and art in general need help.

The text suffers the same problem that many traditional jujitsu schools of the time did. They were nothing more than a collection of techniques with no underlying principle. This is the reason Kano broke away from jujitsu and created judo. He then said that all techniques must "use minimum effort for a maximum effect." Any techniques he didn't feel followed that maxim were removed.

His body positions in the photos suggest he's using alot of strength and energy to accomplish some of his techniques. A head straight up in the air while performing a takedown is usually indication of an inefficient body position. Additionally, no reference is made as to how to control the positions once you get a person to them.

It's an interesting read for nostalgia purposes. Some of the techniques bare a resemblance to techniques used in many arts. There is little refinement of techniques (at least as far as the text goes...with no real life experience it's hard to say for sure). No governing maxim or doctrine seems to be present.

Overall I wouldn't suggest it for reference purposes. However, it's a good piece of history and one of the earliest texts I've seen.

[joesteph]

An interesting read for sure. I think, for it's time, having a text devoted to teaching martial art techniques was revolutionary. However, I think the technique and art in general need help. . . .

Overall I wouldn't suggest it for reference purposes. However, it's a good piece of history and one of the earliest texts I've seen.

So if there were a vote taken between "Moldie Oldie" and "Golden Oldie" I take it you'd vote "Golden," ps1.

I think the author knew the principles involved, but smoothness of technique is another story. His altering of what was prevalent in his day was likely considered a major change.