Jiu-Jitsu by American College of Physical Culture

ere's another nice old piece of history! These pages are from a 1906 book titled: "Home and Farm Health Medical Family Reference book."

The various techniques that are shown are presented as lessons from A. and up to V (that is 22 techniques or lessons in total). They are being shown by 'Professor' J. (John) J. O'Brien. O'Brien had his ju jitsu background from Nagasaki, Japan where he worked as an inspector to the police for ten years. Alledgedly he received his jiu-jitsu diploma by the governor of Nagasaki in 1905.

O'Brien is the same man who introduced the art of jiu-jitsu to President Roosevelt and other members of his cabinet in the USA. It is common to believe that it was judo being taught to President Roosvelt. Most probably it may have been som judo involved, but a majority of jiu-jitsu. Judging from the methods shown here, there is not much judo involved...

The various lessons, or techniques if you will, are being presented through 72 pictures, that is 2 to 4 pictures for each technique. There is also an additional description of the technique following below each picture. The lessons are being demonstrated by two gentlemen wearing suites. I would assume one of them are the author, J. J. O'Brien.

Each of the lessons are being presented in a clear and concise manner, and it is really close to stuff that are being taught and used even today.

Being presented to something like this is a real treat! It shows the tradition, origin and heritage in a nice way; plus it lays out how little many of the methods have changed during the last 100 years or so. In fact we could have taken most of these lessons, and tought them almost to the point as they are being shown here. Very cool! You can read much more about John J. O'Brien here: "Pioneers of American JuJitsu: American JuJitsu Before WW2".

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