Jiu-Jitsu Combat Tricks: A Classic Guide to the Ancient Art

First published in 1904 as Jiu-Jitsu Combat Tricks: Japanese Feats of Attack & Defense in Personal Encounter, this unique volume is an invaluable addition to any athlete’s library. Jiu-Jitsu (or Jujutsu as it is known as today) is a classic martial art developed primarily in Japan. Its roots can be traced back to the early seventeenth century, though it was only introduced to the United States in the late 1800s. In this one-of-a-kind manual, H. Irving Hancock distills the essence of Jiu-Jitsu combat into easy-to-understand, elegant instructions. Accompanied by thirty-two period photographs, this book is both an instructional guide and a historic window into early twentieth-century athleticism. Readers will learn the essential skills of Jiu-Jitsu, including: basic throat hold, tripping an opponent, defensive reversal from kneeling position, boxing defense, hook throws, and much more. At its most basic, Jiu-Jitsu is the art of defensive grappling—a close combat technique that instills discipline, flexibility, and efficiency of moment. This book is perfect for anyone looking to understand the classical essence of the art without all the bells and whistles that have been piled on in the modern age of the billion-dollar exercise industry.