Bartitsu: The Forgotten Martial Art of Victorian London

In 1898, Edward William Barton-Wright, an English engineer recently returned from Japan, introduced London to something it had never seen before: Bartitsu. This unique martial art combined Japanese jujitsu, British boxing, French savate, and Swiss cane-fighting into one system.

For a brief time, it flourished in a dedicated club, attracted celebrities, and even reached the pages of Sherlock Holmes stories. Then, it vanished—only to reemerge a century later.

The Birth of Bartitsu

Barton-Wright’s idea was simple: take the most practical parts of different combat styles and merge them into a self-defense system for city life. He trained under Japanese masters, studied European combat methods, and opened the Bartitsu Club in Soho, London.

This academy attracted elite instructors, including Japanese jujutsuka Yukio Tani and Sadakazu Uyenishi, Swiss stick-fighting master Pierre Vigny, and wrestler Armand Cherpillod. Together, they taught Londoners how to defend themselves with fists, feet, and walking sticks.

Sherlock Holmes and the Public Eye

Bartitsu might have slipped quietly into obscurity if not for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In 1903, Doyle wrote “The Adventure of the Empty House,” where Sherlock Holmes credits “baritsu” for surviving his deadly encounter with Professor Moriarty.

Though a misspelling of Bartitsu, the mention preserved the name in popular memory. At the same time, Bartitsu Club members toured and competed in public exhibitions, demonstrating jujutsu’s effectiveness on larger European wrestlers and popularizing Japanese martial arts across Europe.

Decline and Rediscovery

Despite its early excitement, the Bartitsu Club closed by 1902, possibly due to high fees and limited interest. Its instructors opened their own schools, and jujutsu spread independently across Europe. Barton-Wright continued his career in physical therapy and passed away in 1951.

For decades, Bartitsu was largely forgotten, until researchers in the late 20th century rediscovered it. Since 2002, enthusiasts worldwide have revived Bartitsu, reconstructing its methods from original writings and launching clubs and seminars across Europe, North America, and beyond.

A Living Revival

Today, Bartitsu is studied both as a historical martial art and a living practice. Organizations like the Bartitsu Society have published detailed compendiums, hosted international seminars, and produced documentaries on Barton-Wright’s system.

Known to some as “the martial art of Sherlock Holmes,” Bartitsu continues to attract martial artists, historians, and stage fighters eager to explore this fascinating blend of East and West, born in the heart of Victorian London.

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