The Bulletin

Number 6

August 2002 The Kano Society

In This Issue Yukio Tani - Traditional or Showmanship?

• Yukio Tani There are many controversies in London at the invitation of Edward W. Judo not least of which is around Barton-Wright -- was wrong. Richard • Traditional Judo or showman- Bowen has established that the two the question of ‘What is Traditional ship? came to Britain in September 1900, Judo?’ This is the basis upon which • Self Protection and were followed not long after by the Kano Society was founded and S. Yamamoto. Yukio Tani was to stay • News – we have tried in previous issues to in England for the rest of his life, but expound some of the views about his brother and Yamamoto returned that . However if we consider the to Japan within a year, possibly due manner in which Judo was practiced to a disagreement on the use of by the early masters we find further as "entertainment." The Bulletin - Editor’s comment controversial approaches and a Yukio Tani When Barton-Wright gave his lecture Photograph donated to from LJS Welcome to the sixth edition of the plethora of sensei behaving and before the Japan Society of London 'Bulletin' - In this issue we continue practicing in variety of ways. in 1901 he took along Tani and Ya- to raise some Judo controversies in Bankier (the strongman Apollo). In the mamoto to demonstrate jujutsu the hope that readers will respond world of the music hall strongman and The early practitioners were a col- technique. The three men showed with their opinions and articles of their wrestler, with its challenges and ourful number of individuals—some the throws and locks of the art and own. This issue we look at Yukio Tani counter challenges that meant he had of their approaches would be then Yamamoto performed what and the perhaps unorthodox way in to be able to prove his art against any seems to have been pretty much a which he conducted his martial arts frowned on by ‘traditionalists’ - but opponent. But Tani had been ready to standard feat among many of those career. Whatever we think of his nevertheless they are part of our meet all comers from his first days in early jujutsu pioneers. He lay on his ‘showmanship’ approach—it cannot Judo tradition. England. Bankier had first met Tani at back with his hands tied and had a be denied that he has had a lasting Barton-Wright's school and tested him pole placed against his throat. Three effect on martial arts, was one of the on the mat. He later wrote, "As Tani Yuko Tani was such an individual. A men on either side of the pole held it finest newaza exponents ever seen stands only 5 foot in height, the task respected sensei and teacher at the down while two stood on Yamamoto and influenced many schools includ- before me seemed a particularly light Budokwai and also a music-hall and another two held his legs in ing the Gracie movement of Anaconda one. To my astonishment however, he showman. Some o fthe facts of his position. At a signal these ten men JuJitsu. had me at his mercy in less than two life are blurred as the man has pressed down to prevent Yamamoto minutes. How it was accomplished I moving, but within twenty seconds he Does traditional mean entrenched, drifted into the realms of martial did not know, but there I lay at the end had escaped the holds and was a old and perhaps an antique ‘has been’ arts mythology but an interesting of the bout, completely tied up with the free man. approach? We in the Kano Society account is given by Graham Noble Jap grinning from ear to ear and laugh- strongly disagree with that view. Al- in his article ‘the Odyssey of Yukio ingly asking me if I had had enough?" At the same lecture Barton-Wright though the founder members could be Tani’ - some extracts follow - gave a demonstration of "locking" described as senior citizens of the Bankier induced some of the top pro- on a volunteer from the audience, the Judo world we also have a thriving fessional wrestlers of the day to visit Yukio Tani was never too good with six-foot tall Lt. Douglas. "The lec- Junior division and welcome the new Barton-Wright's school. The group dates, and even the one date he did turer," the report read, "a much recruits from Scotland and wish them included Jack Carkeek (the self-styled quote -- September 26, 1899, smaller man than his opponent with a long and fruitful Judo career. "King of Wrestlers"), Antonio Pierri, when he and his brother arrived in the greatest of ease threw him down Regards— Diana Birch and the former English national and in a variety of practical perform- champion Tom Cannon, but none of ances illustrated the modes of ob- taining victory." Barton-Wright set up a school of arms with his Japa- “… Yukio Tani , nese instructors. It didn't attract a Budokwai member great deal of interest. Sadakazu Uyenishi's student William E. Garrud number 14, helped thought this was probably because of form the first large entrance and instruction fees. generation of But whatever the reason, the venture British judoka.” failed.

At this, Tani split with Barton-Wright and then went into the music halls these big guns could be persuaded to under the management of William have a bout with Tani. A wrestler called Page 2 The Bulletin

Yukio Tani (continued)

Collins did go to the mat however and not only been greatly modified, but …. When founded the We know little about Tani's early within a minute he was thrown heavily, changed to a sound respect." London judo club known as the training. Apparently his father and falling outside the mat and on the Budokwai in January 1918, Yukio grandfather were teachers of ju- stone floor. "Being a little stunned," … Tani had to live up to the hype, Tani was member number 14, and jutsu and he started training at a wrote Bankier, "he was unable to and he did it by being ready to meet much of his free time was spent at young age. So this must have been renew the contest." all comers from his very first days in the dojo. Therefore he helped form around 1890. England. That willingness to go on the first generation of British Shingo Ohgami told me that Tani the mat continued years later when judoka. he was instructing at the London judo club called the Budokwai. Shaw Desmond, a Budokwai veteran, re- membered Tani throwing "an all-in pro-wrestling champion" and then working him over on the ground with a series of locks and strangleholds. He also threw "an 18-stone [224- pound] Greco-Roman style wrestler who had come to study judo with Desmond. But Tani's reputation, and the reputation of jujutsu, was really made in the boisterous world of the music hall, where he worked for years. He had to be ready to meet all Tom Cannon comers, regardless of weight, so the Renowned wrestler refused to fight Tani worth of jujutsu was proved night There is a long list of wrestlers who after night, in town after town, Gunji Koizumi tried conclusions with Yukio Tani -- throughout Britain. According to Demonstrationg during a visit to Holland 1949 but, note, under jujutsu rules with Percy Longhurst, writing in 1905, which they were unfamiliar -- and they "The shrewd Scotsman Apollo, the Pupils received individual instruc- trained with Fusen-ryu groundwork all seem to have succumbed to a professional strongman, has taken tion, which meant that Tani would specialists Torajiro Tanabe and/or stranglehold or armlock. Yukio Tani in hand, carrying him from often be on the mat for four or five Matauemon Tanabe. This is sup- place to place until there is scarcely hours at a time. In person he was ported by information in Takao It's worth remembering that there was a town of considerable size south of friendly and cheerful, but on the mat Marushima's Maeda Itsuyo: Conte some skepticism about jujutsu when it Glasgow where Tani has not given a he was a strict taskmaster. One of Koma (1997), where it is said that originally appeared in England. Wil- demonstration of Jiu-Jitsu." his pupils, Marcus Kaye, wrote: Matauemon Tanabe was a friend of liam Bankier himself wrote that when … I don't know exactly when Tani "Throughout all his instruction there Tani's father. This is interesting "Tani and a fellow countryman" first joined with Bankier to begin his ran a steadfast devotion to the because the latter Tanabe, the made their appearance at the Tivoli years-long odyssey through the mu- realities of judo, with a correspond- fourth headmaster of the Fusen-ryu, Theatre, "the art was described as sic halls and theatres of Great Brit- ing avoidance of anything flashy, features in the early history of farcical, and the demonstrators ain, but by 1903 he was a well- unsound, or easy." Kodokan judo. knockabout comedians." Bankier put known figure to the public. Said Tani was a man who believed in the blame for this on the managers of Health and Strength in December learning by doing, and students the Japanese, so maybe that was a 1903: "Yukio Tani the clever Japa- remembered the effects of his cheap shot at Barton-Wright, but other nese wrestler, has lately been ap- throws, particularly his hane-goshi people also wrote about their early pearing at the Tivoli music hall, ... But it was in groundwork where reservations on the new Japanese art. Leeds. His offer of twenty guineas to his real skill was felt. anyone whom he fails to defeat in At Barton-Wright's lecture to the Percy Longhurst was one of England's fifteen minutes, brought him before Japan Society of London in 1901, leading writers on wrestling, and he the best wrestlers from Lancashire given just after Tani arrived in Lon- too recalled those early demonstra- and Yorkshire, but the twenty guin- don, the quality of his groundwork tions. "I have a very lively recollection eas still stands to Tani's account. was noted against the much heavier of the first exposition of the science In retrospect, the early propagators Yamamoto. Richard Bowen, the given to the public," Longhurst wrote. of jujutsu in Britain were fortunate in historian of British judo, picked up “I was on the platform with several their timing. During the late nine- an echo of Tani's skill when he did others interested in antagonistics, and teenth and early twentieth century randori with Len Hunt, a veteran we were not impressed. I had wit- Japan had emerged as a major world British judoka, during the late nessed several private exhibitions power and victories in wars with 1940s and early 1950s. Hunt had previously, and my incredulity as to China in 1895 and Russia ten years started training with Uyenishi's the utility of the new system. The pub- later aroused international admira- student William Garrud during the lic demonstration left my unbelief tion for the "plucky little Jap". In 1920s before moving over to Tani somewhat shaken; but I was anything addition, efforts to launch the art and the Budokwai. Dicky Bowen told but satisfied that jiu-jitsu , although it coincided with a vogue for physical me that "Hunt, in his mid-seventies, Eugene Sandow c 1900 provided an interesting spectacle, as a culture and professional wrestling. could even deal with some of the Typical ‘Strongman’ of the day practical form of antagonistics, had This was, in the view of many writers, young internationals on the ground - any value worth consideration. the golden age of professional wres- - it was Tani's groundwork. It was In the September 1952 edition of Longhurst then went on to say, how- tling, a period, which lasted from astonishing. I mean, I'm a former Henri Plée's Revue Judo Kodokan, ever, that thereafter he had been able around 1898 to 1913, and the re- international and he just tied me in Kainan Shimomura, 8-dan, wrote: to form "a more practical opinion, and tirement of the then "world" cham- knots when he was in his late sixties Encounters between professors of original suspicion and disbelief have pion Frank Gotch. or early seventies." the state were the exception. How- ever, public opinion got so worked Number 6 Page 3

Yukio Tani (continued) The Real World of Self Protection - Stan Brogan up that in January 1891 an inter-group nearly frantic but after some years I The Real World of Self Protection sonal safety. All too often there is a combat took place in which Tobari (then appreciated the training. I now trainer who has acquired some knowl- 3rd dan judo, he died an 8th dan) for the know instinctively how to get out of Before self defence is even consid- edge of a martial art,etc. over a long Kodokan opposed [Matauemon] Tanabe, a necklock. I can feel the slightest ered as an instructional medium it period and expects his pupils to perform expert of the Fusen-ryu school. One must hint of weakness in the attacking would be advisable to study the with some expertise when attacked. not commit the error of considering the method and am also fairly difficult benefits of self protection. It is a very ancient jujutsu as being a priori inferior to to hold. unwise person who would take train- What is learned in a training hail, with an modern judo. ing in how to handle an intruder in instructor nearby to correct faults, work- As for contests, Leggett continued: his house when he did not bother to ing with a fellow trainee, both anxious to Straightaway Tanabe sought the combat “We were told to attack all the time. secure his premises with suitable avoid injury is a fir cry from an ugly sur- on the ground, but Tobari succeeded in In one of my early contests at Cam- locks and other hardware in the first prise attack with the object of using remaining standing up. After a fierce fight bridge I scored quickly with a foot instance. violence if necessary carried out in the Tanabe won by a very successful strangle- throw. Then we went to the ground, street where often no one nearby to as- hold on the ground. Tobari, bitterly disap- where I got astride. He started to So it should be when giving advice or sist or deter the assailant. pointed by the defeat, began to feverishly push at my throat with both hands, training to members of the public study groundwork. The year after, he and I knew I ought to go for the anxious to be able to deal with per- “ ... there are those challenged Tanabe again. This time it was armlock but was afraid of the risk of sonal attacks. Simple safety precau- who believe that a ground battle and once more Tanabe losing my position. So I clung on for tions can be of great value in preserv- won. He was now famous and, in the the rest of the time, pretending to ing ones safety. We have all heard they can turn these name of the ancient schools, challenged try for necklocks. With my one point the well worn phrases about dark- elderly, unfit and the members of the Kodokan, and even I won the contest. Mr. Tani wouldn't ened streets, self confidence, not unknowledgeable Isogai (then 3rd dan, at the time of his speak to me after the contest or on showing expensive adornments in members of the death he was a 10th dan) was put in the way back to London with the public places, etc. etc. but how many danger from his ground technique. The team. But just as we were all sepa- of us have bothered to stress the public into fighting Kodokan then concluded that a really rating to go home, he said, more simple precautionary measures machines .” competent judoka must possess not only 'Coward.' It took me some time to that can greatly reduce the possibil- a good standing technique but good get over that, but it was a good ity of personal attacks. ground technique as well. This is the lesson.” origin of the celebrated 'ne-waza of the Sometimes victims of violence have Another attribute which the trainer has is Kansai region'. And in conclusion to all The full artivcle by Graham Noble received severe injuries, even death, his physical fitness. Many persons who this one may very well say that Mataemon appears at the website of the elec- when they stood to lose a small sum desire training are not physically fit and Tanabe, too, unconsciously contributed tronic journal of Martial arts of money. If one wishes to fight for a do not have the confidence and agility of towards the perfecting of the judo of the http://ejmas.com (extracts printed few pounds of cash then they must the trainer. Also the trainer usually Kodokan. with permission of Joe Svinth edi- have a very low opinion of the value adapts some martial art trick to use as a So this may go some way towards explain- tor). An earlier version appeared in of life. self defence measure and seems to ing Tani's skill. All those years on stage Warriors Dreams, volume 1. forget how long it took him or his martial must have had an effect, too. In those However, many persons who con- art colleagues to master the same move- matches a clean throw was not enough to If you have any comments or views duct training classes for ‘self de- ment. win: challengers had to be subdued by an on this article—please write in for fence’ are more interested in getting armlock or stranglehold, and moreover inclusion in a future Bulletin down to the physical aspect of per- Often an assailant is armed and there Tani always had to work hard against the are those who believe that they can turn clock, too. these elderly, unfit and unknowledgeable members of the public into fighting ma- “ ... Tani had to chines able to disarm their attackers. When attacked by an armed person it live up to takes great courage, skill and a great the hype deal of luck to oversome the opponent -He did it by and it is always advisable to do as one is being ready to told rather than risk your life. Of course there are exceptions but the majority of meet all comers.” the criminal fraternity just want some easy pickings with no extra trouble.

When he practised ground work with a What then is the answer to some of student his method was to pick a weak- these problems? An instructor should ness and work on it. Trevor Leggett, the carefully consider if he has the many late British judoka, recalled that his neck attributes that one expects in this type of was relatively weak when he began his instruction. Some of the more obvious own study of judo. So Tani would take him are listed below. to the ground and apply a stranglehold, ♦ Good interpersonal skills and presen- then release it just as he was about to tation tap. Leggett would begin to fight back and ♦A presentable standard of dress and then the hold would go on again. This was physical appearance repeated time after time. Leggett wrote A good knowledge of security and self (Judo, July 1955): 'No, you're still alive!' ♦ he would say. When I thought I was abso- protection skills lutely exhausted he would give up on the Samujrai ♦The ability to assess what areas of Early photo c 1850 necklock theme and come down over my instruction are relevant to the trainees face in a hold-down. It used to drive me The Kano Society

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The Real World of Self Protection-(cont) - Stan Brogan Kano Society News ♦An awareness of the physical ca- Litigious claims can be made when it is pabilities of the trainees alleged that the injury was due to faulty The AGM took place late this year due to the venue having ♦Ensure that adequate and safe instruction, unsafe equipment or con- to be changed at the last minute—as a result the turnout was equipment is available if necessary tributory negligence whilst under in- low and there was not a quorum to vote on a new committee. struction This is also possible when The instructor should have First Aid Members have been canvassed for their views. The present ♦ ‘instructors’ have been trained and a qualifications to a reasonable committee will continue for the present time with the excep- third party is injured because of faulty tion of Wilf Hashimi who has resigned as secretary. Stan standard instruction in the original training. Even if the claim never reaches a court hear- Brogan takes over as Hon Sec; Larry Ralph as Treasurer. It follows therefore that training in ing, the legal fees incurred in consulta- Diana Birch and Malcolm Hodkinson continue in post. protection skills may vary widely tion and arbitration can most costly. according to the composition, age The Committee has written to members asking their views and specialist requirements of cer- There is a great deal of truth in the regarding KATA and whether they would be interested in a tain groups of trainees. A few exam- assumption that if physical encounter is Kata course. ples illustrates this point quite necessary then there is a good possibil- clearly: An article on Kata by John Cornish will appear in the next ity that the situation may have been issue. incorrectly dealt with in the first in- Female persons may be more inter- stance. It is therefore advisable to place Please send your views in to the Bulletin or the website. ested on how to deal with indecent - much emphasis on the handling of How do you view kata? behaviour, obscene telephone calls, confrontation skills, preventative meas- Should it be taught more widely? rape and indecent assaults than ures in both the home and public male persons. places and other methods of avoiding There are more film shows planned for the future and old physical contact. Elderly persons cannot be expected films are being digitalised and prepared at present—some will be on sale in the near future—watch this space! to take part in a physical struggle nor What then is the answer? Persons chase after a runaway thief. taking on the task of self protection training should assess the class and Nurses in hospital may have to deal have a structured programme of in- with inebriates or drug users who struction compatible with the group may be patients or relatives and seeking instructing. It is good to know friends of a patient. Unruly persons what they expect, if they have ii com- who may be ill or injured and de- mon problem by nature of their employ- mand instant attention or trespass- ment and can that problem be ade- ers or intruders. quately addressed.

Door attendants or ‘bouncers’ at This is very much an abridged treatise popular places of entertainment on the many critical issues facing in- often have to vet the type of person structors m this field and they should seeking admission. Some may be not be averse to seeking guidance when unsuitably dressed, already banned they feel it is necessary or advisable.. from the premises, in possession of weapons or drugs or of a riotous or Finally, if you have some high grading disorderly demeanour and likely to in one of the martial arts or Judo, do not cause trouble. go into a Court and expect them to consider you as an expert in the field of These are but a few of the many personal injury negligence. The author variances of instruction that may be is on the Law Society List of Expert demanded of the instructor and, if Witnesses and is a member of the Soci- not suitably qualified, the instructor ety of Expert Witnesses and even now, should stand back from such a task after over twelve years experience is and thus probably save a claim of subjected to rigorous questioning by Japanese Archer c 1830 negligence with possible litigation skilled banisters. proceedings when accidents happen. Old Photo on Albumen paper