Japanese Physical Training/11
CHAPTER XI
THINGS THAT THE STUDENT CAN TEACH HIMSELF—HOW AGILITY IS ACQUIRED
In the preceding chapters there has been given all that is essential to the preliminary work of the jiu-jitsu student. One who has mastered in all its details the work described, and who has kept at it with assiduity, will find himself in greatly improved health and much better able to cope with an adversary in actual combat.
The Japanese student is required to devote several months to the foundation work. In his earlier months of practice he is kept mostly at the feats whose aim is the development of muscle and endurance, and he is given only enough combat work to keep up his interest in the study of physical well-being.
After the first few months of practice the student is taught to think more for himself. There is much that he can teach himself. Reference has been made already to the student's ability, after some early instruction, to locate for himself nearly all of the vulnerable muscles and nerves of the body. In the limbs the most vulnerable parts for the pinches are to be found, as nearly as can be described, at the centres of the fronts and backs of arms and legs. The neck is full of points where a pinch can be secured with most painful results to the victim. Some of these have been indicated, but it is necessary to add only that the student should locate every one of the rest by actual practice upon his own neck. He can test then the efficacy of these holds upon the neck of a companion, submitting in turn to a like attack.
Suppose the student clasps his hands with the fingers interlaced. He will discover that a quick, hard wrench of one of his wrists upwards or sideways produces pain and a weakness of the muscles and bones of the attacked part. On the other hand, a quick wrench downward causes but little discomfort. When two adversaries practise this, it will be found that the assailant gives all the advantage to his opponent when employing the downward wrench. On the other hand, the assailant who employs the upward or side wrench has the advantage.
Here is the cue for some valuable work that may be employed both for muscular development and for use in attack or defence. This hand-clasp cannot be taken always with sufficient speed, but when it can be done it proves most effective. Much time should be given to trials of this feat, as it is an especially valuable one in combat when it can be employed as a surprise—that is, when the man attacked has no idea that this form of assault is to be employed.
When employing the upward wrench, the assailant uses this hand-clasp, forcing the fingers of the right hand between those of his antagonist's right hand and taking the tightest hold possible. At the same time the attacking one employs his left hand in a strong pinch on the middle of the victim's upper right arm. The man on the defence finds his right arm going up over his head, while his seized hand is being forced backward toward his wrist in a manner that can be made to cause excruciating pain.
It must be borne in mind that the man attacked has his left arm free, and that he may use it in landing a vicious blow. But the Japanese assailant avoids this danger either by leaping as far as he can to the right while still maintaining his painful hold, or else by closing and accomplishing a trip, with the back of his leg employed as a lever against the back of the victim's. Where the relative positions of the combatants permit, the latter is the form permitted in jiu-jitsu schools.
There are many forms of attack possible with this trick. Where two students practise them frequently together all the different varieties may be ascertained with certainty. There is no kind of defence possible if the assailant secures the hold properly and employs the suggestions offered for avoiding the other man's left arm. While the attack may be made from the left side, securing a left-hand clasp, this will not be found as effective as is the right-side attack. In rare instances the one making the attack may find it useful to clasp both of his victim's hands, raising them upward with a quick jerk, and forcing the hands over toward the wrist, but this is rarely as useful a method of attack as could be desired, as it will be necessary to employ the knee-jab in the abdomen, and is altogether a clumsy and vicious movement. Where the double hand-clasp is taken it is preferable to twist the victim's hands upward and over sideward. Of course the value of this form of the feat depends upon the swiftness and strength with which the double wrench is made.
Attacks upon the neck may be discovered in great variety by the diligent student. For instance, let him seize his own neck with each hand wrapped half-way around. The thumbs should press hard against the "Adam's apple," while the finger-tips dig forcibly in exactly the centre of the hollow that is found just at the base of the skull. This is a most effective method of taking hold, when, for instance, a retreating burglar is to be seized, or when a troublesome person is to be ejected from the premises. It should be practised frequently—with light pressure, of course, in friendly contest—in order that utmost dexterity in securing the hold may be acquired.
In a perpendicular line with the lobes of the ears two sets of muscles will be found running down the neck. One hand is employed in such manner that the assailant's thumb digs into these muscles on one side of the victim's neck, and the finger-tips in the corresponding muscles on the other side of the neck. This gives a form of attack that is painful and convincing to the recipient. The counter for the victim to employ, if he is versed in jiu-jitsu, is the throw-off for the throat-hold already described.
Every possible hold on the neck and at the throat should be studied out with great care. The more two students practise together all the possible holds the stronger the neck will become and the less pregnable to assault. A Japanese master of jiu-jitsu will grinningly submit to all manner of attack at his neck and throat, for the reason that his constant work has made these parts so strong and hard that the average American athlete could produce no impression of pain.
In addition to the holds three exercises are used for toughening the muscles of the neck. First of all, the Japanese student is told to stand erect and to turn his head around so as to bring his chin as far as he can over his right shoulder. Next he does this to the left. The movement is not made with too much rapidity, but every possible muscle and chord of the neck is strained by the desired vigour of the effort. After this the head is bent sideways to right and left, and then backward and forward.
In the case of such tricks of attack as have been described in foregoing chapters the student is encouraged—forced—to study them in all their aspects, and to discover variations upon them. If he invents a decided improvement upon a trick, or discovers a simple counter to some other that has been believed to be invincible, he is regarded with no little envy by his fellows.
A simple variation of a trick already given may be suggested, and there are other variations. Take the feat where the assailant throws his left arm around the waist and forces his open right hand up under the chin of his victim. The assailant may make, instead, a rush at his opponent's left side, and throw his left arm around the side of the other man's right waist. At the same time the one who is making the attack may use his right hand in pressing against the left side of the victim's neck, and by the suddenness of the attack forcing a fall.
Still another variation, when a rear attack is desired, is to leap at the man who is to be attacked, throw the left arm around his abdomen, the right forearm around the neck, and bring one knee sharply into the victim's back. Having done this, the assailant, still retaining a firm hold, draws back so quickly that he forces the man attacked to his back. With his man down, the assailant, if he is quick enough, has things all his own way.
Another simple though painful trick that is employed is known under a name that may be translated as the "hair-pull." In this the attack is made by using the left hand, open, to clutch the victim's throat in such manner that the thumb presses hard against the muscles already spoken of that run down under the lobe of the left ear, while the four fingers press as severely against the corresponding muscles under the right ear. The right hand of the attacking one takes violent hold of the hair over the forehead of the victim. A strong jerk backward with the right hand, aided by the pressure of the left hand against the throat, is reasonably sure to reduce the victim to submission. If necessary the trip accomplished by the back-of-leg-to-back-of-leg trick may be employed. There is but one counter that can be utilised, and even this is not easy of accomplishment. The victim may try the pinch in the middle of the upper arm.
To be sure, the man who is being attacked may attempt the knee-jab in his adversary's abdomen, but this the assailant can prevent by raising his right foot to about the level of the left knee and with his right foot a little forward of his left leg. In this position the man attacking has a parry ready in advance that will break the force of the knee-jab and prevent its successful execution. In the meantime the man on the defence is rapidly weakening under the pain of the hair-pulling. No matter what hold the man defending himself secures, the pain in his scalp will cause him to let go of that hold in order to escape further pain from having his hair pulled strongly.
Once the student has acquired this trick, he is encouraged to find out in what other ways a grip on an adversary's hair, whether at either side or from the rear, may be made painful, and just how the hand not employed in seizing the hair may be utilised in attacking some other vulnerable point. The assailant must always bear in mind, however, that the attacked opponent has two hands and, possibly, a knee that he can use. It will be interesting for the student to study out all possible forms of attack in the hair-pulling tricks, and to plan counters to each of these forms of assault. In friendly contest, it is necessary, at first, to do no more than to study all possible holds. The hair need not be wrenched to the point of absolute pain; but after a while it will be learned that this work toughens the scalp and renders the student more and more impervious to pain when so attacked. In time, if sufficient of this work is carried on, the practicer of jiu-jitsu will find his scalp so tough that he is not afraid of having his hair pulled.
There is another form of exercise, applicable also to combat, from a careful study of which the student is able to teach himself much. This consists of going behind an opponent when his arms are hanging at his sides. Seize both of his wrists quickly. In so doing it is advisable to employ the wrist-pinch, if possible, but this is not absolutely necessary. The whole thing to be counted upon is the speed with which the hold, in either fashion, may be secured, and the quickness with which the following movements can be executed. Bring the victim's arms back smartly, so that his hands are about on a level with the base of his spine, and are pulled as far back as is possible in this position. In the same instant, while retaining the original hold, twist the victim's wrists upward and outward as far as possible, bringing the twisted wrists, as nearly as may be done, to the original level with the base of the spine. At the same time the assailant uses the powerful leverage he has secured to push his victim forward. It is possible to throw the victim forward to the fioor in a twinkling. The only feasible defence is for the man attacked to give a backward kick in one of the shins of his assailant, but even this weakens the former's balance. If the assailant succeeds in making a throw he must fall on top of his victim and utterly complete the victory by pressing his fingers against the "Adam's apple" and his thumbs in the back of the neck, as has been suggested in the throat and neck exercises.
While this exercise will seem, upon the first hard trial, to be a very painful one, it need not be made so except when purposes of serious attack require. Two friendly contestants may practise it to advantage. A great many of the muscles of the body are found to be benefited by this work. Friendly practice does not call for the use of any more strength than is needed for the successful carrying out of the work, and with this proviso no physical harm can result. Japanese students are taught to make the task a trifle more strenuous with each succeeding attempt, and it is not long before the muscles become so hardened that the victim rises smilingly from the floor, not in the least hurt— merely vanquished. But, after the principle of the trick has been mastered, speed—and then increasing speed—is always insisted upon.
It is in the study of this feat that the Japanese student of jiu-jitsu learns much about his anatomy, and learns especially how to know the weak parts of his body from the strong. First of all, he strives to locate the muscles that do not seem to be in the least affected by the work. These call for no particular attention at the time. But the student finds that some of his muscles weaken readily during such a struggle. It may be that he suffers the most pain in his wrists. In that case, if he is conscientious in his task, he practises most assiduously at the resistant exercises, both alone and with a companion, that have been mentioned. The hand-throw, too, comes in for a good share of his attention, until he finds that his wrists are as strong as need be.
If upper portions of his arm are weak, the student is advised to give a good deal of time to the resistant arm exercises. If the back proves weak, then the Japanese student is advised to practise bending backward and forward, alternately and smartly, from the hips, while keeping the legs rigid. The throws over the head and over the shoulder are tried also more frequently, while the feat in which the assailant throws one arm about the victim's waist, and presses the open hand of the other arm sharply up under the chin is much resorted to. These exercises, when tried with sufficient frequency, and without too much zeal, are found to strengthen the weakest backs. The dangerpoint, at which too much strength or too much zeal is used, is indicated by the fact that the student finds himself short of breath or with undue pain in the back. The remedy is greater moderation until such time as the back proves equal to greater strain.
When the neck, after the fall has been accomplished and the grip taken, seems to be the weakest point, all of the throat and neck exercises already described in this chapter are to be used by way of remedy. "Bull neck" is an expression in common use in this country. "Iron neck" would be the more appropriate term in Japan. An attempt to injure the neck of a Japanese master of jiu-jitsu by any ordinary method of attack with the hands or with a stick would bring with it astonishment to the curious seeker after athletic knowledge.
A feat that can be employed sometimes, though not often, in combat, is most useful as a means of general physical toughening. One Japanese student lies on the floor, flat on his back. His antagonist bends over, seizing the prostrate one's ankles with what is known as the ankle-pinch. This consists of seizing the ankle bones with the hands in such manner that the thumb presses severely against the bone on the inner side of the foot, while the fingers give equally hard pressure against the bone on the outer side of the foot. A very little practice teaches the student how to cause a good deal of pain when the pressure is given strongly enough.
Once the principle of this pinch has been mastered,—and it is not done in a moment,—the next step is taken up. Raise the victim's feet a trifle from the floor, applying the pinch as hard as is possible without inflicting too much pain, and twist the ankles rapidly over so that the toes point outward. In this case, as with other parts of the body, the Japanese are not long in acquiring great hardness at the assailed part.
After this work has been gone through with on several occasions the next feature of the exercise is studied. Now, the same twist is employed, after which the victim's toes are allowed to point upward. The assailant lifts his companion's legs upward until the latter is resting on his shoulder-blades. The legs are then gradually lowered until the feet again rest on the floor.
As has been suggested, this feat is of more value for exercise than for combat. When used for toughening the body a great many important muscles are given greater power and endurance. When actual attack is made it is, of course, necessary to catch the enemy lying down and off his guard. Then he may be forced quickly upon his shoulder-blades and held there as long as is necessary to bring him to terms. In a matter of life or death the victim may be forced to turn a rough, complete somersault, with the danger that his neck will be broken while he is going over.
There is much to be learned, also, from a little trick that a Japanese master of jiu-jitsu would be likely to employ if annoyed by too much pushing from the rear in an American crowd. In Japanese crowds, no matter how densely packed the people may be, no one intentionally shoves. But in the United States, the bothered Japanese would turn slightly in order to make sure of the man who had annoyed him, and would then make a sharp jab with the point of his elbow in the boor's solar plexus. There would be a gasping "Ouch!" from the boor, whereupon the master ol jiu-jitsu would turn with the smiling politeness that never deserts the Japanese:
"I beg your pardon, but I had no idea that my turning so suddenly would put you to such inconvenience."
And there would be nothing logical for the boor to do save to accept the promptly proffered apology—and do his best to preserve as great a distance as possible between himself and the master of jiu-jitsu. In Japan the trick is employed to prevent an attack from the rear when the danger of one is realised. The blow may be struck with the point of either elbow—with the forearm held horizontally, and is accomplished by a quick swinging motion of the trunk. It may be done so quickly and neatly, after a little practice, that the victim cannot claim that he has been actually assailed. Not much practice is needed to enable the student to locate unerringly the position of the solar plexus as he swings about. If his victim is much taller the jab will land in the abdomen, but even then this sudden attack will prove very effective.
Much has been said already about the prime importance of the possession of the greatest agility if the use of the Japanese tricks of attack and defence are to be made effective. An American traveller, on his first visit to a jiu-jitsu school, would witness some work aimed at the acquirement of agility that would strike him as being grotesque. Yet these seemingly ludicrous feats are performed in all earnestness and are persisted in until the desired results have been obtained.
First of all, the young men are taught to jump on one foot, throwing the other as far backward and as high as possible, with a movement suggestive of the kick delivered by a mule's hind leg. The legs are alternately employed in this backward kick, and by degrees the utmost speed possible is acquired. Then, in somewhat similar fashion, the young man kicks forward. After this come the hops. Hopping on one foot as long as he can do it and maintain his equilibrium, the student is made to hold the other leg as far back as he is able. The next style of hop is with one leg as far upward at the side as may be, and then with the leg forward. In each case the student must continue to hop until he feels that he is about to lose his balance. All of this leg work is intended to give the jiu-jitsu pupil the maximum of balance when he finds himself with one leg only on the ground and when the various trips are employed.
For quickness in making the springs necessary in attack there are a set of exercises in which a bamboo pole is employed. American students will find any other kind of pole equally useful. One student stands with a pole held in both hands directly over his head. Four or five feet away from him stands another student—watchful, alert, cat-like, for the spring. At his own pleasure the man with the pole lowers it swiftly so that it rests against his legs. His opponent, at the first realisation of the pole's descending, must leap forward and seize it before it has touched the other's legs. At first, success in this work is impossible, or nearly so, but after weeks of occasional practice at this work it is an even toss-up as to which will win.
By way of variation, the pole is raised instead of being lowered, but the principle upon which victory is based is the same. Then the pole is raised or lowered at either side in the same fashion. Next the student who holds the pole lifts it over his head with one hand, and, at his pleasure, brings it down so that the further end strikes the floor. When this is done the student who is to catch the pole stands at the side of his companion, as alert as ever, and is expected to catch the pole before the floor is touched. This is followed by struggles in which the young men take equal holds, either double-handed or single-handed, and contest for the possession. The loser bows gracefully in acknowledgment of his defeat.
Now comes work that, at first thought, may seem dangerous. As a matter of fact it is not so much so as are American polo and football, and it does much more for agility. One of the young men raises the pole over his head. Whenever he is ready he brings the pole down over his comrade's head. The other must stand with his hands at his side, or in front of his stomach, until he sees the pole descending. Then he must spring up and catch it, endeavouring to wrest it away from his opponent. At first the blow is struck slowly, but with each lesson the rapidity of the fall of the pole is increased, until both students become so expert that the blow can be blocked every time. Then ensues a contest for the possession of the pole. The man who loses hold of the pole may seize his opponent by any hold he can secure, and the combat goes on until one or the other admits defeat. This acknowledgment of defeat is given by slapping one hand on the thigh; if on the floor the vanquished one slaps the floor. The combat ceases the instant that the signal is given, and the opponents take a moment's rest before attempting the next feat. The blows with the pole are attempted in various forms of attack, and the more ways that are devised of attacking and countering, the better it is for the student when he engages in actual combat.
While this work is being undertaken the student is ordered to learn how to fall. With his arms outstretched horizontally he falls forward flat upon the floor. The floor of the school is padded thickly and softly, so that the young man cannot injure himself. The instructor can do little when this exercise is being followed. The young man must learn the art of falling safely through his own practice and observation. He must learn what muscles are wrenched when he falls, and must study out for himself how to avoid the wrench. When one practising jiu-jitsu is thrown he must know how to aid in the throw himself in such a manner that he will not be weakened — and this knowledge can be gained by any one who practises assiduously. The Japanese student who finds himself going down under the attack of his adversary is taught to land himself, if possible, on one side or the other, as he thus avoids to some extent the success of his opponent in the attempt to secure a double arm-pinch, and hinders the throat-hold. The one vanquished never lands squarely on his back if he can avoid it. Constant practice in falling, along with intelligent observation of the effects of the different falls, enables the student to learn much by himself. Then the knowledge so gained is employed in tests with a "friendly foe."
Next in order comes practice in the work of rising swiftly and skilfully. The man who is thrown by his adversary's trick and suddenness is not necessarily beaten. The man thrown often turns seeming defeat into victory through his ability to wriggle out of the hostile clutch and leap nimbly to his feet, instantly prepared for another trial of skill.
First of all, the student, when practising alone, lies flat on his back, with arms and legs outspread. In this position he is required to "gather himself together" and to leap to his feet. He must do this as quickly and skilfully as possible. At first the feat is not an easy one, but, as in all other endeavours, practice makes perfect. After a few weeks, during which a part of each day's work is spent along these lines, the student finds that he has made surprising progress.
Following this, as soon as he has made fair progress, the young Japanese is taught to fall upon his left side, instantly rising with all the speed and skill of which he is capable—and the ability to do this grows with each repeated attempt. The task is performed by throwing himself over to the left in such manner that he finds himself with both knees on the floor as levers, and with his arms stretched out before him to aid in the upward spring. As he makes the spring he swings his body around at the same time, in order that he may face his opponent. The fall on the right side is accomplished in the same manner, except that the student turns rapidly over to the right.
It must be borne in mind at all times that the one who is rising must do it in the way that will least expose himself to the assault of his antagonist. He who is rising may often save himself from a successful new attack by wriggling or dodging to one side or the other—and this must be to the opposite side from which the opponent seems likely to attack. It is not to be expected by the one who is rising that his adversary will wait for him to regain his feet before attacking. The Japanese take the sensible view that, in combat, there are no such things as "fouls." Any hold or blow is permissible while the intended victim is down or is attempting to rise to his feet. The only aim is victory, and this may be secured in any manner that is possible.
Practice is given in sitting on the floor with the legs in front, slightly spread, and with the hands on the floor at the side, but a little to the rear of the back. From this position the student leaps to his feet without turning to either side in rising. Difficult as this work is, it can be accomplished in time, or else the young man has not followed his instruction, in all its details, with the care that has been expected of him. After this the next task is performed by sitting on the floor, with the legs in the same position, but without support from the arms, which must be held in front of him. Rising from this position is difficult of accomplishment, but is easily possible when sufficient practice has been had; and it is well worth all the effort that success in this line calls for, for the achievement of the feat works wonders for lightning-like agility.
From this last work the student is passed along to the requirement of sitting in a stooping position, with rump as close to the floor as may be without actually sitting on the floor. The arms are extended in front, or at the sides. From this position the practicer must accustom himself to rising with the utmost celerity. When he can do this, he must seat himself in the same position, opposite an opponent. The two clasp hands, and at the signal, given by either, one pulls the other to his feet. Once erect, hands are unclasped and the antagonists assault each other by any means of attack preferred.
Excellent practice is had when two students lie on the floor, on their abdomens, with heads opposite and hands clasped. Each tries to draw the other's hands toward him, by so doing to gain enough purchase to enable him to spring from the floor in such manner that he towers over his rising antagonist and is able to vanquish him by throwing him over backward and falling upon him. If the victor can disengage his hands he is then able to employ the arm-pinch, the throat-hold, or any of the other tricks used in subduing the under man. In any case the man on top uses the knee-jab in the solar plexus.
Another excellent exercise for the making of agility is for the young man to throw himself forward upon his knees without allowing his hands to touch the floor. As soon as he has fallen he instantly rises to his feet, and stands with his hands before him as if awaiting the attack of an adversary.
Agility may be acquired, also, by throwing one's self face down, resting on hands and toes, without allowing the trunk or the legs to touch the floor. While in this position, look rapidly over the left shoulder, and then over the right—always in swift alternation. This does much to teach the student on which side he should try to rise when there is an opponent over him or waiting for him. After a few of these alternate turnings have been made, the next thing to do is to imagine that the opponent intends to attack him on one side,—say the right,—and then, by a vigorous twist, to rise to the left, at the same time dodging and crouching, ready for the next move of attack.
Leaping forward, with as catlike a bound as can be acquired, is insisted on. This is done with hands outstretched, as if the student were engaged in the effort to grapple with a real opponent. Sometimes the student lands from his bound erect, or at other times sinks to a crouching attitude. Then he is taught to leap sideways, as if he were trying to secure a side grip on his imaginary opponent. Too much stress cannot be laid on the value of this leaping work. It counts for everything in the suddenness and success of attack when, at the beginning of combat, the adversary is more than arm's length away.
The student will be able also to teach himself much in the way of feinting when making such a spring. In much the same way that the trick is employed by American and English boxers he is able to make it appear that he intends to attack one portion of the other man's body and then take hold of another part. If the eyes are directed at one part of the intended victim's body while another part is actually seized the deception is likely to prove as effective as it does in boxing. One form of feinting often resorted to is for the assailant to leap forward erect, suddenly crouch under the extended arms of his adversary, grab the nearest knee with one hand, and employ the other hand in giving a push as high up on the body as may be done. The seized knee is pulled outward at the same instant that the push is given, and the victim, who has looked for attack at a higher point on his body, has no choice but to fall on back or side. Then the assailant completes his victory by falling upon his man and employing any one of the holds or pinches that seems most advantageous under the circumstances.
The possession of acquired agility teaches the student another valuable trick of attack. This is for him to crouch as if intending an attack at the knees, and then, as his opponent bends to meet him, to rise suddenly and make the attack upon the upper body of his descending enemy. Just as there are no "fouls" in the Japanese method of combat, so all the highest development of the art of jiu-jitsu is based upon the employment of the utmost degree of deception. There is but one exception to this rule: When the vanquished one slaps a thigh, or the floor when down, the victor must release his man and does not expect further attack.
Agility is further obtained by falling face downward upon the floor and then turning over on the back like a flash. Arms, hands, and legs are employed with as much celerity and accuracy as if an actual combatant were at hand. A welcome variation is found in running at full tilt toward an object that is swinging, suspended from the ceiling. Without slackening his speed, the student grasps the object, or tries to do so, stopping only when he finds the prize within his hand. Success in this feat is at first almost impossible; by degrees it becomes more and more easy of accomplishment. There is sport in the game, and it can be introduced into any American gymnasium where the ceiling is so high that the cord on which the object is suspended is long enough for the student to slow up before he has gone "to the end of his rope." The employment of the feat works wonders for agility and for its twin brother, accuracy of eyesight.
Vaulting over an obstacle breast-high is a method of increasing agility that is employed in some of the jiu-jitsu schools. Such an obstruction may be a horizontal bar, or anything else that will serve the purpose. As the student lands on his feet on the other side he finds himself face to face with an adversary who is awaiting him, and combat immediately begins. When victory has been obtained, the other man attempts the vaulting in the same way. This work can be performed successfully only by students who have gone thoroughly through the lighter work for obtaining agility. Undoubtedly it would be better for the average man to try this work, at first, by vaulting over an obstacle that is only waist-high; but the Japanese student does not believe in stopping at trifles.
When all the work described in the foregoing has been gone through with to such an extent that the student is found to be really agile, he is made to practise dodging with an opponent. The master of jiu-jitsu is as slippery as the proverbial eel. It will be found impossible for an uninitiated opponent to seize him. Just as the uninitiated one fancies he has his man within grasp he finds that he has n't, but that the Japanese has him in a grip that seems astounding, and a grip that is certainly excruciatingly painful, and bound to result in defeat.
All ultimate success in the aggressive and defensive tricks of jiu-jitsu rests upon a foundation of agility, and this may be acquired by any one who will take the trouble to win it.