Page:Japanese Physical Training (Hancock).djvu/90

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Japanese Physical Training

physical training under a Japanese teacher he is required to furnish satisfactory proof as to the evenness of his disposition. Even after he has been admitted to the school, if the white man shows too great a tendency to sudden anger he is politely requested to seek instruction elsewhere.

Jiu-jitsu is not a science to be entrusted to the keeping of the ugly. There are too many tricks that are dangerous to limb or life. Many of the feats, if carried to extremes, will result in broken bones. There are no less than six blows known to native practisers of the art that will cause death. Although the author has been taught these fatal blows, for obvious reasons he will not explain them. When the reader passes on to descriptions of arm grips, leg tackles, throttlings, and holds in which a grip at the small of the back is employed, he should remember, when practising, to be at all times careful not to use these tactics with more force than is necessary for strengthening the muscles of both antagonists and for acquiring the victory.

When first starting in with the work it is