Documentary preview: "Bartitsu - the Lost Martial Art of Sherlock Holmes"

[aethelwyn666]

And where is the reference to canne de combat and savate ? It mainly originates from the french sports. And the guy just told himself he could mix a bit of asian stuff in it. And why didn't his club last long ? The guy gave his name to the sport mixing it with some asian suffix to make it sound cool. We should concentrate on making canne live ( because we are only 3000 peple practising it in France ) because it's dying here, Instead of reviving something that didn't work because it was useless.

[BartitsuSociety]

@aethelwyn666 - this is a preview trailer for a full-length documentary. There are multiple shots (historical images and re-enactment footage) showing savate and the canne Vigny method in the trailer, and obviously both styles are discussed in greater depth in the documentary itself. No-one knows why the original Bartitsu Club didn't last. Historically, Bartitsu was composed of about 2/3 jujitsu and a remaining 1/3 combination of English boxing and Pierre Vigny's system.

[crocopie]

Lolz.  Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character.

[DantehMan]

Time to dig up some instructional videos or something.

[theOYRISHCLOVER]

Well it's a good thing Sherlock Holmes was said to use Baritsu! Which is about as fictional as he is, so this isn't any conspiracy :)

[Spartacus74]

IN Italy that would be called simply "Scrimia" or "NOva Scrimia"; it comes from a tradition of hand by hand and armed style of close combat with several sources like Flos Liberorum and Duellatorum with newer integrations of Carmine Boxing and XVIII and XIX centuries well known styles.

NOthing new except for the obviously well working movie's battage of advertisement.

[BartitsuSociety]

@Spartacus74 - as it happens, members of Nova Scrimia performed Bartitsu-style stick fighting demonstrations for this documentary.

There are numerous modern revivals of historical martial arts systems, each one representing, as well as they can, the flavour and detail of the originals.

[keller1919]

In 1893 it was not possible for Sherlock Holmes to use Bartitsu... It was not invented before 1900... Unless SH was the creator of Bartitsu and Barton-Wright his pupil;-) ... In the last movie SH is fighting a kind of wing chun kung fu, historically it was possible, but not bartitsu... The movie is accurate. Fairnbarn studied Kung fu in ShangaÏ in the late nineties (1890...?). We have to presume that SH, studied a very rare Wing Chung book... He studied Bartitsu just before his retirement - 1903

[BartitsuSociety]

@keller1919 - Doyle was notoriously bad at checking his facts. The consensus is that he probably copied the "baritsu" reference from a London Times report on a Bartitsu demonstration which also misspelled the name, and he obviously didn't realize that Bartitsu hadn't actually been invented in 1893.

The Bartitsu.org website has an interview with "Sherlock Holmes" fight choreographer Richard Ryan, as well as some other articles that you might enjoy.

[ArmorKingRulez]

Dude first 2 techniques was De Ashi Barai and Ouchi Gari

[LLMelvinL]

I must have.

[BartitsuSociety]

We are pleased to announce the long-awaited DVD release of the documentary "Bartitsu: The Lost Martial Art of Sherlock Holmes". Please visit the Freelance Academy Press website to watch a new preview trailer, view a photo gallery and read an article all about Bartitsu and the documentary production.

[talon115]

Very cool!

[gr33ndestLny]

bartitsu was not an early form of mma but came from jujutsu and was more similar to hapkido than mma

[BartitsuSociety]

@gr33ndestLny - Bartitsu was a "mixed martial art" simply in the sense that it was a combination of jujitsu, boxing, savate and stick fighting. Although it had a competitive dimension via the music hall wrestling contests, however, it was clearly geared more towards self defense, recreation and fitness training than competition.

[TheGroundedAviator]

@BartitsuSociety So is Hapkido, it was formed from arts like the forerunner of Aikido, Judo and Tang Soo Do and had the same attitude.

[kaindrg]

fighting is all the same ppl just have differnt preferences and its is that which dictates what dies and what live(even if what lives is the ineffective shell of its original from i.e. asian MA)

[SCHWARZERENGEL14]

I like it very mutch BUT: the years: . he died 1891 and came back in1894

[BartitsuSociety]

@SCHWARZERENGEL14 I don't understand the comment; E.W. Barton-Wright died in 1951 (?)

[SCHWARZERENGEL14]

@BartitsuSociety

no.. at the beginn u say holmes died and came back with the case of the ... house and the years were wrong!

[BartitsuSociety]

@SCHWARZERENGEL14 OK, I understand. The references are to the years when the stories were published, not to the years when the character apparently died and was then revealed to have survived.

[MrFrinkham]

Wonderful. I'm buying a copy of that!!!!

[NewZealfighter]

3:05 a move that would work well with ease against multiple opponets

[Amarian86]

wow, this looks really good. For the longest time I've been wondering what the martial arts Holmes used and to find this is a real treat. Is it out on DVD yet? I would definitely buy it. :)

[BartitsuSociety]

@Amarian86 - thanks for the kind words. I suggest that you monitor the Bartitsu Society website (bartitsu.org) for updates on the documentary release date.

[Dragonfist12185]

@Amarian86 I'm still wondering when it's going to by out.

[BartitsuSociety]

@Dragonfist12185 - we have experienced some post-production delays. We will post here and around the Web when the full documentary becomes available.

[NewZealfighter]

where are the major bartisu study groups in the world?

[BartitsuSociety]

@NewZealfighter - Google the phrase "Bartitsu Today" and you will find a list of Bartitsu clubs and upcoming seminars.  It's early in the revival process, though, and clubs are still few and far-between.

[6arcsn1sky]

Will be awesome to see this style in fighting games.

[tuerkefechi]

When will the dvd/video be available?

[BartitsuSociety]

@tuerkefechi - we are waiting on the editors. We will post here and around the Web when the documentary is released.

[alexreid88]

is there anywhere we can learn bartitsu ?

[BartitsuSociety]

@alexreid88 - the revival has only been underway for a couple of years, but there are some ongoing courses and seminars. Google "Bartitsu Today" and you should find the list of classes at the Bartitsu Society website.

[avenger1000]

1:31 ............skinny legs!!!!

[Raposamandinga]

While I can see the pratical aspects, this system aint nothing of new or original. The techniques of figting with sticks, wrestling and striking, along with trows and takedowns, and defence against dagger, all this things are illustred by Fiore dei Liberi da Premariacco, an italian Master of Defence, in his manual Flos Duellatorum, dated '400 BC. This knowledge passed through the old fencing accademies, and survived in Italy, Spain, and France 'till 1800. Bartitsu? Sherlock Holmes?

[BartitsuSociety]

Raposamandinga, yes, of course; most people involved in reviving Bartitsu have backgrounds in other historical martial arts reconstruction, including work with the Flos Duellatorum. Likewise, many martial arts from different periods and cultures have combined unarmed striking and grappling with weapon training.

The significance of Bartitsu in that sense is that it was the first method to deliberately blend Asian and European self defence arts into a more-or-less cohesive system.

[Raposamandinga]

@BartitsuSociety Yes ok, I understand what you means, I only pointed out that this was only a slightly different way of doing what was normally done from many times. I can see why this happened in England, cause of the limitations of their boxing style. In other countries, like in France with Savate, techniques were not banned, and had nothing to envy to Eastern Martial Arts. If you like, take a look on Luigi Carmine's "Boxe libera"(free boxe) 1869. Thank you for answering and regards. Bye.

[bearshaman]

I'm sensing some airship piratry toward the end... anyhow, I have to say Bartitsu looks pretty amazing and practical, and obviously ahead of its time. I'll have to check if it's taught at all in northern California, I would love to learn this art.

[BartitsuSociety]

There is a major Bartitsu seminar tour coming up in March, including San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Eugene and Vancouver.  There are also Bartitsu clubs in San Francisco and Seattle. See the Bartitsu Society website for details.

[Empireian]

I wish they would fix the name though, I wonder how barton himself was able to name his art something so useless.

I only know a bit of japanese, but shouldn't be it Bartjutsu?

[carlosgodoy1]

Empirian, Barton wasnt Japanese, and obviously wanted to be remembered for his creation. You should be grateful he did it, or you wouldnt know about it, asshat.

[Empireian]

@carlosgodoy1

Are you denying that Bartitsu is an etymologically unsound contraction of Barton and Jujitsu?

Also I agree with you, what the hell are you talking about.

[BartitsuSociety]

Empireian and carlosdogoy1; etymologically, the word "Bartitsu" was simply Barton-Wright's portmanteau of his own surname and the word jiujitsu. Bartitsu was a "new" combination of Asian and European fighting styles, so perhaps in that sense it's fitting that its name was also a neologism combining Japanese and English.

Based on B-W's own definitions, Bartitsu can be taken to imply "Barton-Wright's art of fighting to the last" and/or "Barton-Wright's art of self defence in all its forms".

[aethelwyn666]

@Empireian

Mr Barton was a guy finding very clever to put his name in front of a japanese sounding suffix like "tsu" to make it sound cool. Doesn't mean he actually knew anything about japanese. It was just cool at the time to do asian sports, it was new !

[BartitsuSociety]

@aethelwyn666 - Barton-Wright spent three years living in Japan, between 1895-98. He studied at the Shinden Fudo Ryu jujitsu dojo of sensei Terajima Kuniichiro in Kobe, and also with Professor Jigoro Kano (Kodokan Judo). Barton-Wright spoke Japanese and pioneered the teaching of Japanese martial arts in the Western world.

[Dragonfist12185]

when are when going to be able to get the vid?

[BartitsuSociety]

We're currently aiming for an April release on DVD and rent/buy on streaming video.

[KaptainKeys]

Has this been released yet and is it available to buy? I can't wait to see the whole thing and it looks fascinating. 5 stars.

[ranarthurbraun]

Thank you very much!

Extra recorded and/or filmed material needs to arrive from the States, Italy and Israel.

The plan is to make the documentary available towards the end of April 2010.  We will of course inform, about the exact release date and related information, as soon as it gets near to the date.

[billystarfish]

wait wait, around 2:00 is that Neal Stephenson?

[ranarthurbraun]

at 2:57 you can see a short part from the Neal Stephenson's interview

[Mishenev]

Ran and Toni - supermans!!!

[hotpopcorncake]

And i though Bruce lee was first to came with concept of MMA,i wonder the striking is outdated in this style ,like now we use the muay thai along with the Jujitsu in MMA

[BartitsuSociety]

Classical Bartitsu unarmed striking includes jiujitsu atemi-waza and low savate kicks as well as 19th century "scientific boxing". That style of boxing definitely has become outdated and modern Bartitsu uses old-school boxing mostly as a conditioning and cross-training exercise.

Bartitsu is closer to Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do than to MMA as it is geared towards self defence, even though it can be played as sport. A lot of people just enjoy it as a recreational exercise with a historical twist.

[Dragonfist12185]

so when in feb, will it be on, and will it be on history channel, or bbc?

[BartitsuSociety]

The plan is to make the documentary available on DVD and also rent-on-demand and buy-on-demand streaming download. There has been some talk about TV broadcast as well, but nothing is confirmed at this stage.

[braveTOMINATOR]

Yes. Because we all know Mua Thai with BJJ is the only and best style of martial arts.

What about a boxing and pankration combo?

Savate and Russian sambo?

Judo and kickboxing?

There's a lot of styles that will get you in basically the same place. Just because BJJ and MT schools are the most common in the U.S. and in UFC, it doesn't mean that it is automatically the way and the only way to effectively fight.

[Empireian]

How about kendo principles of energy applied to vanilla aikido technique with all strikes thrown in?

[FrozenEMT]

I think youre missing the point. Bartitsu combines savate, Marcus of Queensbury boxing, ground grappling, stick fighting and even using one's overcoat as a defensive and possibly offensive weapon. This was new to England and thats where B-W was teaching. Im new to Bartitsu and have only been learning from students so far, but it doesnt seem that hard of a concept to grasp. It also places an emphasis on defending oneself without the necessity of feeling you have to kill your oponent. Simple.

[moominpic]

@FrozenEMT I'm not sure I agree. The idea of throwing a coat over someone was well known, as were forms of stick fighting (shillelagh). Wrestling had for a long time been part of the curriculum, along with boxing. I think where bartitsu made a first was by having a single, codified system.

[hashashin821]

@braveTOMINATOR exactly, fighting is fighting. a punch is a punch and a kicks a kick

[fadedsideways]

@braveTOMINATOR excellent statement! you can learn a little something from EVERY MARTIAL ART because they all have something to teach. Even the term "Mixed Martial Arts" has shown little more than Muay Thai and BJJ. It has become confined itself and thus no longer represents the true meaning of mixing arts. I personally would like to see something of the past revived. Lyoto brought back karate. I want to see someone use Wing Chun next with a good solid ground game! Thats just me though

[Obiwan198]

It's like average jujutsu skills plus stick fighting. And i've seen a variation with a coat, well yeah... in every m.a. there is a possibility to improvise. It's poor, the only reason this survived, was because of Holmes.

[BartitsuSociety]

Bartitsu is jujutsu combined with low savate kicks, 19th century "scientific boxing" and the Vigny method of stick fighting; no more nor less than that. The revival is very largely out of historical interest.

[Obiwan198]

Kicks (from inside/outside) and box basics are used in most of the m.a. ,not incluiding arts which are dealing with this opportunity differently (aikido, judo, ninjutsu...), however it's used not for the main damage, but as a form of distraction needed to preform more difficult techniques. I was going to compare it with Kali stick fighting, but Vigny is more like it.

So as I see it's 1/3 Jujitsu, 1/3 scientific boxing, and 1/3 Vigny plus improvised weapons. Not bad. What's scientific boxing?

[BartitsuSociety]

The proportions are actually closer to 1/2 jujutsu, 1/4 Vigny stick fighting and 1/4 combined low kicks and fisticuffs.

Scientific boxing was the name given to amateur boxing around the turn of the 20th century. Technically it is boxing according to the MoQ rules, with an emphasis on linear punches, a somewhat extended guard (including "milling" or revolving the hands) and a greater emphasis on parrying than weaving.

All of these details will be explored in the full documentary.

[Obiwan198]

Great! Thank you, BaritsuSociety.

[GianluxRoccia]

perciò è esistito realmente Sherlock Holmes!

[astiagogo]

So anyone can just open a Bartitsu club and charge megabucks to the unsuspecting public right? I hope not!!

[ranarthurbraun]

You can find more information about Bartitsu Training in the webpage: Bartitsu Today, at the Bartitsu Society Webpage.

Training Bartitsu is about the process and therefore, there are no ranks. A number of well respected Bartitsuka keep on spreading their knowledge.

[BartitsuSociety]

Basically, yes, anyone can open a Bartitsu Club. They would probably be wasting their time and effort, though, especially if they were just out for a buck.

The Bartitsu Society endorses teachers based on their experience, ability and contributions to the art.

[jumaha]

good work ran....hope to see you in summertime ;-)

[Dragonfist12185]

when is the rest of the documentary, coming in?

[ranarthurbraun]

The documentary will be ready in February! "Yes we Cane!"

[Shindai]

Happy with my karate but I'm very interested in the history of all forms of close quarters combat, and would very much like to see this documentary.

[Rickfy1994]

Really Interesting!!!

[graficabarni]

Aspetto con ansia l'uscita del Film

Complimenti da Como

Andrea Fiore

[JvxSherlock]

oh, i learned something new this new year. so, it's called bartitsu... ok. thanks. =)

[ninjoeperez]

Nice work, Ran! I love anything martial arts related. I have also read all of Doyle's works at least 20 times each since i was hooked in junior high. Glad someone has taken to bring bartitsu (baritsu) to the public!

[ranarthurbraun]

Bartitsu, gegründet 1899 in London, ist ein frühes Beispiel einer Kampfkunst, die verschiedene Stile miteinander kombiniert. Sie vereint Boxen, Jiu Jitsu, Savate und Selbstverteidigung mit dem Gehstock. Nach einer kurzen Blütezeit geriet diese Kampfkunst im 20. Jahrhundert bis auf eine einzige versteckte Referenz in der Sherlock Holmes Geschichte "Das leere Haus" (The Adventure of the Empty House) von Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in Vergessenheit.

[ranarthurbraun]

Fondé à Londres en 1899, le Bartitsu était l'exemple précoce d'un mélange d'arts martiaux en associant la boxe, le Jujitsu la savate et l'auto-défense avec une canne de marche. Après un bref âge d'or, il sombra dans l'oubli durant le XXe siècle à l'exception d'une unique et mystérieuse référence dans le roman de Sherlock Holmes "L'aventure de la maison close" de Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.