A Beginning History of Old School Jujitsu - Part 1

Over the next couple of day's I will writing an articleNagasaki. O'Brien spent ten years as Inspector of
of the history of Pre-WWII Japanese Jujitsu/Judo. IPolice in Nagasaki. He was responsible for introducing
wasn't sure where to start, but here I am so let'sPresiedent Teddy Roosevelt to Jiu Jitsu as well as
get started.instructing Colonel A.J. Drexel Biddle.
I'm going to start with H. Irving Hancock, who in theNext we move on to Col. Risher W. Thornberry.
early 1900's wrote several books on the history ofThornberry wrote several books on jujitsu from 1905
Japanese physical training & Jujitsu. I will startto 1933. In his first jujitsu book written in 1905, the
with his book Japanese Physical Training written infirst page is very interesting. It shows a picture of
1903.Prof. Kishoku Inouye, "Instructor to the Nagasaki
"Subsequently he studied in Nagasaki, under InouyePolice". At the top of the page it reads, "Jiu-jitsu - As
San, instructor of Jiu-jitsu in the police department oftaught by Prof. Inouye to over 2,000 Officers and
that city".Soldiers now at the front line." Reference to the
This was the first time I heard of Inouye. Now if weRusso/Japanese war.
look at Hancock's other book Jiu-jitsu Combat TricksThis book was written only a year or two after
written a year later in 1904:Hancock's book. They both mention Inouye &
"Exponents of the Tenjin School of jiu-jitsu haveTenshin. A definite connection is beginning to develop.
developed in all its possible perfection a style ofAn interesting quote from Thornberry's book,
stopping the boxer's blow that cannot be surpassed"Jiu-jitsu has a weapon in the form of "atemi, or vital
for neatness of execution, effectiveness andtouches", which may be administered with the thumb,
swiftness. It is a feat that applies only to stopping athe clenched hand, the elbows, the tows, the edge
left-hand blow by the boxer."of the hand, or even with the head." Again, the
Before leaving this book, the reason for the abovereason for mentioning this quote is the use of the
two quotes are:word "Vital touches".
1.) The mentioning of Inouye, the jujitsu instructor ofResearch shows that Thornberry actively taught
the Nagasaki police dept.jiu-jitsu. One of Thornberry's students was Samuel R.
2.) The mention of the system "Tenjin/Tenshin"Linck. Linck went on to publish a book in 1943 called
Later you will see where I'm going with this."COMBAT JIU JITSU". An excellent book. Linck
Another quote that is very interesting.studied under Thornberry in Los Angeles for a
"In Japan the full course in jiu-jitsu requires four yearsnumber of years. Linck received a "Master Diploma"
time".from Thornberry in "Tenshin Ryu" dated May 6th,
That seems very reasonable, as I have read that it1935.
takes about 15 years to receive a Menkyo Kaiden inIn Linck's book he offers a brief history of jiu-jitsu.
Tenjin Shinyo Ryu today. The question is, why so"These forms of the art were closely guarded and
long? I don't have 15 years to devote to one art.only taught to the samurai or warrior class, the group
At this point I would like to bring up another old booknow known as the Black Dragon Society".
on jiu-jitsu, "THE YABE SCHOOL OF JIU JITSU"Linck taught a man by the name George Tate. Linck
written in 1904 by Yae Kichi Yabe. In Yabe's book heand Tate taught a jiu-jitsu class in Los Angeles. Later
mentions that the system is based on that ofon, Tate succeeded Linck as instructor and continued
"Tenshin". Also in this book is the phase "Vitalto teach and train in Jiu-jitsu. Tate went on to
Touches" used to describe Atemi or "Ate"!become the jiu-jitsu instructor for the Los Angeles
Professor John J. O'Brien states that he received hispolice department and later conducted class at the
diploma in Jiu Jitsu in 1905 from the Governor ofL.A. Judo Club.