JU-JITSU FOR WOMEN.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1782, 21 June 1913, Page 11

JU-JITSU FOR WOMEN.

KEEN EXPONENTS. ) Ju-jitsu, the admirable system cf wrestling, little known in Australia a few years ago, has to-day many devotees, who hold, and with a good deal of reason, that it is the premier method of self-defence, states a writer in the Sydney "Telegraph." The art was introduced to Australia in its practical form by Professor Stevenson. Its reoeption was somewhat cold, but as the people—chiefly catch-as-catcli-can wrestlers—began to realise its potentialities, the tide turned in its favour, and it Tapidly beoame an accepted form of physical culture and self-defence. Shortly afterwards. Ifr. Young brought out from Yokohama Mr. E. Snima and Mr. Okara, two Japanese, who were firstclass exponents of the art, "and since then, it has gradually forged ahead. The earlier pupils 'consisted mostly - of business and medical men, prominent amonf whom were the Toys and Mr. Manning, the latter being one of the leading amateurs to-day, and secretary of the Ju-jitsu Club of Australia. About three years ago Mr. W. A. Hill, the only white man in the world to hold a Mikado medal for ju-jitsu, visited Sydney, and 50 impressed was hd with the possibilities here that, after another tour round the world, he returned and settled in Sydney, joining Mr. J. Alexander 8 scliool or anms and physical culture. He is the only instructor in Australia now who holds a teacher's certificate, issued from Japan; Miss Zena Dare an Enthusiast. Mr. Hill introduced ju-jitsu into the West Point Military College, in America, and has amongst others instructed exPresident Eoosevelt, the South Australian police, and many theatrical artists, including Miss Zena Dare. With all this experience behind him, Mr. Hill has no hesitation now in declaring that in the Australian ho has found the best materials in the world for ju-jitsu. The two essentials most required, he said, are grit and intelligence, and Australians nave both. Pis greatest regret is that he has never

been able to get a match with a boxer. | He ia emphatic that iu-jitsu is absolutely the best form of self-defence in the world. There is a fallacious idea that ju-jitsu (s an indoor sport. No better practice, ground cotlld bo found than a good piece of turf; One point about it is that it is as useful to and as easily acquired by women as by men. Indeed, the progress Sydney girls ore making is evidenco enough of this. Already a large number have taken it -up, and the more they learn tlia more enthusiastic they become. The fact that very little, if any, strength is required probably accounts for this. Both youtfg and old can learn. It nan be made simpla and convincing, or deadly to a degree, as occasion requires. In London it is compulsory that the police should know the art, and there are very good reasons why it should be mado 10 here. When an attempt lias mado to