Japanese Physical Training/Preface

by H. Irving Hancock

PREFACE

In presenting this volume to the public the author is aware that he is offering a decided novelty to readers who are familiar only with American systems of athletics. The Japanese system of physical training is so ancient that its origin dates before the time when the authentic history of these people began. Yet, while the Japanese have adapted from Western civilisation everything that they consider to be necessary to their national development, they have retained jiu-jitsu and all its underlying principles as the means by which the nation is to work for its physical well-being. They have done more, for, whereas jiu-jitsu was taught at one time to the aristocratic classes only, it is taught now to all of the people of Dai Nippon who wish to acquire it. The value of jiu-jitsu is proven by the fact that the Japanese, while a diminutive race, possess the greatest endurance of any people on earth.

It may seem strange that the presentation of this science—for such it may be aptly termed—should come through an American. But the author has approached his task with no hesitancy. Something more than seven years ago he began his course of instruction jiu-jitsu under Japanese friends in this country. Subsequently he studied in Nagasaki, under Inouye San, instructor of jiu-jitsu in the police department of that city. Still later the author took supplementary courses under native teachers in Yokohama and in Tokio. When Inouye San visited this country the author went once more under the tuition of that veteran, who is considered to be one of the best instructors in Japan.

There are in Japan, to-day, some six different systems of jiu-jitsu taught. In the main, the author has described the science as it is imparted by Inouye San, but some of the best work from the other schools has been included. The aim has been to give a perfect, composite whole of the essential principles of health and of the tricks of attack and defence that are needed by the perfect physical man or woman.

The reader will find much of interest in a careful inspection of the two Japanese models who have posed for the illustrations in this book. The smaller of the two models weighs but one hundred and twenty pounds, yet he is a giant in miniature. His strength excels that of an American athlete of one hundred and seventy-five pounds. This the author is able to state after witnessing actual tests. The secret of such surprising strength is one that is easily mastered by him who will give time and resolution to its acquirement.

There is no need for any man, woman, or child who possesses ordinary health to become a weakling. In Japan weakness or long illnesses are considered to be the misfortunes of only the very aged. An eminent American authority on physical training has declared that "weakness is a crime." The Japanese look upon lack of strength as being a freak or an eccentricity.

In taking up this exhilarating, life-giving work there is one danger against which the reader must be warned. Americans are impetuous, impatient. Some will want to master the whole science in a week. In Japan the full course in jiu-jitsu requires four years' time. Many an American reader will skip swiftly over the parts of the book that describe the best diet, the right use of bathing, the wearing of proper clothing, deep breathing, and the necessity for oft-repeated practice in the resistant exercises. These latter are the muscular foundation upon which success in the tricks of combat must rest.

At times the author has taken pupils in jiu-jitsu from among his friends. Almost invariably these pupils have listened impatiently to the fundamental instructions, and have wanted to pass at once to the advanced feats of combat. This is a grave mistake. The foundation must be laid first, and then the superstructure may be built by degrees. There is no danger in jiu-jitsu if each step of the work is taken up thoroughly in its order. In this volume each step is given in sequence.

But there is danger in jiu-jitsu when the advanced work is taken up before the preliminary tasks are mastered. During more than seven years of practice at jiu jitsu the author has been injured but once in combat. That was when an apt young woman pupil wished to hasten on at once to the advanced feats. The author threw his pupil without injury, and then invited her to make the attack in the manner shown. She took a different style of attack, however, and the only way in which the author could have prevented defeat would have been by inflicting an injury that would have weakened his pupil seriously for a long time to come. He preferred to accept defeat, and the result to him was lacerated ligaments of the right leg. Had the pupil been thoroughly grounded in the preliminary work she would have understood how to accomplish the throw without injury.

In the hands of the ignorant, jiu-jitsu may be made dangerous. With those who will study each step in the sequence given in this volume, and who do not try to advance any more rapidly than is warranted by complete mastery of each successive phase of the science, there is no danger, and perfect physical development will come slowly, but with a certainty that must make for happiness.

H. Irving Hancock.

New York, Oct. 23, 1903.