A Beginning History of Old School Jujutsu - Part 1

Over the next couple of day's I will writing an articlefor introducing Presiedent Teddy Roosevelt to Jiu
of the history of Pre-WWII Japanese Jujitsu/Judo. IJitsu as well as instructing Colonel A.J. Drexel
wasn't sure where to start, but here I am so let'sBiddle.Next we move on to Col. Risher W.
get started.I'm going to start with H. Irving Hancock,Thornberry. Thornberry wrote several books on
who in the early 1900's wrote several books on thejujitsu from 1905 to 1933. In his first jujitsu book
history of Japanese physical training & Jujitsu. I willwritten in 1905, the first page is very interesting. It
start with his book Japanese Physical Training writtenshows a picture of Prof. Kishoku Inouye, "Instructor
in 1903."Subsequently he studied in Nagasaki, underto the Nagasaki Police". At the top of the page it
Inouye San, instructor of Jiu-jitsu in the policereads, "Jiu-jitsu - As taught by Prof. Inouye to over
department of that city".This was the first time I2,000 Officers and Soldiers now at the front line."
heard of Inouye. Now if we look at Hancock's otherReference to the Russo/Japanese war.This book
book Jiu-jitsu Combat Tricks written a year later inwas written only a year or two after Hancock's
1904:"Exponents of the Tenjin School of jiu-jitsu havebook. They both mention Inouye & Tenshin. A
developed in all its possible perfection a style ofdefinite connection is beginning to develop.An
stopping the boxer's blow that cannot be surpassedinteresting quote from Thornberry's book,"Jiu-jitsu
for neatness of execution, effectiveness andhas a weapon in the form of "atemi, or vital
swiftness. It is a feat that applies only to stopping atouches", which may be administered with the thumb,
left-hand blow by the boxer."Before leaving thisthe clenched hand, the elbows, the tows, the edge
book, the reason for the above two quotes are:1.)of the hand, or even with the head." Again, the
The mentioning of Inouye, the jujitsu instructor ofreason for mentioning this quote is the use of the
the Nagasaki police dept.2.) The mention of theword "Vital touches".Research shows that
system "Tenjin/Tenshin"Later you will see where I'mThornberry actively taught jiu-jitsu. One of
going with this.Another quote that is veryThornberry's students was Samuel R. Linck. Linck
interesting."In Japan the full course in jiu-jitsu requireswent on to publish a book in 1943 called "COMBAT
four years time".That seems very reasonable, as IJIU JITSU". An excellent book. Linck studied under
have read that it takes about 15 years to receive aThornberry in Los Angeles for a number of years.
Menkyo Kaiden in Tenjin Shinyo Ryu today. TheLinck received a "Master Diploma" from Thornberry in
question is, why so long? I don't have 15 years to"Tenshin Ryu" dated May 6th, 1935.In Linck's book he
devote to one art.At this point I would like to bringoffers a brief history of jiu-jitsu."These forms of the
up another old book on jiu-jitsu, "THE YABE SCHOOLart were closely guarded and only taught to the
OF JIU JITSU" written in 1904 by Yae Kichi Yabe. Insamurai or warrior class, the group now known as
Yabe's book he mentions that the system is basedthe Black Dragon Society".Linck taught a man by the
on that of "Tenshin". Also in this book is the phasename George Tate. Linck and Tate taught a jiu-jitsu
"Vital Touches" used to describe Atemi orclass in Los Angeles. Later on, Tate succeeded Linck
"Ate"!Professor John J. O'Brien states that heas instructor and continued to teach and train in
received his diploma in Jiu Jitsu in 1905 from theJiu-jitsu. Tate went on to become the jiu-jitsu
Governor of Nagasaki. O'Brien spent ten years asinstructor for the Los Angeles police department and
Inspector of Police in Nagasaki. He was responsiblelater conducted class at the L.A. Judo Club.