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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 1904)
13 K THE MORNING OREGONIAN, " TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, ISO, K 5i 7713 v . V " J- KBi X VrUfS Xrv'Z. BBHHMWHbC'ww'flEH WKf' iaAWWiKlJn' 9K . Wtt CB 1 0 tKS& HL aJiS vlBSj done so now were it not for the fact that the present war is brihslng' all things Japanese to public notice and examination. In feudal Japan, when all men of the mili tary classes did the fighting, the women, who were to rear the sons of the next generation, were taught all the principles of Jiu-jitsu. That is said to be the reason why the women of the Flowery Kingdom are stronger, more cheerful and more sym metrical than any others in the world. An enthusiastic writer on the subject of this art declares that the phrase "the weaker sex" should have no place in our lan guage, as there is no reason for women to bo weaker than men. as the Japanese women have proved. The secret of jla-JItsu is agility and su preme presence of mind. It consists of a series of 42 "tricks," by which a small man or woman can put an assail ant to rout before he realizes what is happening'. Strength Without Muscle. To a woman it is invaluable as a. method of self-protection, and tBe ex ercise of it Is also of greatest benefit to her health. "While great strength gradually results from the practice of Jlu-Jutsu, It does not requiro the ab- ' normal development of muscle which American athletics generally call for. All teachers of this wonderful Japan ese method insist that the greatest moderation shall be exercised in Its practice, the student not being per mitted to get out of breath or in the least fatigued from It. Resistance is employed in all the exercises, and the many clever tricks taught are nothing short of wonderful. It seems incredible that a com paratively small woman could be able to throw an adversary three times her own weight over her own shoulder, or break his arm or wrist, but it is per fectly feasible. Only last week, right hero In Portland, a Japanese boy who weighed about 120 pounds and who had only received Instruction three weeks in JIu-JItsu, did this trick to a trained athlete who tips the scales at 23tf and is over six feet ktall. The ath lete in Question said It was either go over or have his arm broken, and that it was all "so sudden" that he could not get hold of the little Jap. In this training, all the weak parts of the anatomy and nerves become known to the student. A blow given by the side of the palm on a certain spot on the wrlstbone will break it, at another spot it will make the hand fly open. This last trick administered to some of the "boy bandits" which have in fested this city would unarm them very suddenly and put the victim in com mand of the situation. In an excellent article in the Novem ber Leslie's, TeilchI Tamagata. says in regard to this method for women: "I would point out the Importance to American women of acquiring at least a partial knowledge of Jiu-jitsu. Thi3 secret art Is one that is quite feasible for women to learn. Many of the higher class women of Japan are well trained jlujitsu-shl, able to cope with, any man who has only brute strength. For it must be borne in mind that great strength is not required In the possessor of the art, while both the bulk and untrained strength of the brute combine for his defeat In an en counter with the Jlujitsu-shl." This article also gives a number of valuable methods by which one trained in this art can revive unconscious or half drowned persons. No Weaklings in Japan. The elementary principles which un derlie the science of jiu-jitsu are all calculated to give great strength and health to a woman, and a general prac tice of them by American women would cause feminine weaklings to be as rare here as they are In Japan. It Is said that Americans are prone to overdo It, once they get the exhilaration of the sport In their veins, and for that rea son a competent teacher should have charge of all students. By the gradual practice of this system of physical training-, strength or development In any particular portion of the body may easily be acquired, such as hollow chests or backs, weak ankles or wrists, stout waists or hips. It Is said that the over-stout woman has somewhat the advantage In training- to a proper figure, as she can convert the surplus flesh Into muscle without losing- any valuable line of contour if the rules of this method are strictly followed. The position given in the Illustration, posed from life by Portland girls who are taking up the fad, Illustrating: re sistant ankle work. Is said by the in structors in Jiu-jitsu to be particularly valuable for reducing stout waists and hips, as well as strengthening the ankle. To be strong and supple in the small of the back is supremely im portant in any line of exercise or physi- ' cal development, and the figure show ing resistant back work will give an Idea of how this can be accomplished. The resistant neck work and the strug gle, as well as the drag, are all valu able exercises to be learned in the study of this art. Resistance is em ployed In every exercise., thereby strengthening- the muscles by degrees and at the same time leaving them , pliable and not. ever developed. M. M. - , -